California’s New Rules & Compassionate Care

Bodhisattva of Compassion

The California Bureau of Cannabis Control reports that it has issued some 6,000 temporary licenses, which is encouraging.  What is discouraging is at last report only 0.78% of the state’s cultivators have received licenses. 

Another encouraging part seen by PAN’s Court Support Program is a change in attitude from judges since the implementation of Prop. 64.  Judges are issuing lighter sentences, usually probation even in the more severe cases, or dismissing some cases altogether.  

However, the most detrimental part of California’s new legalization scheme is the erosion of protection for patients and Compassionate Care.  This upcoming January we will see the demise of the Collective and Cooperative model.  Those providers, that have operated more as social service agencies for patients by providing medical cannabis for free, are struggling to figure out how they will continue to care for patients legally and affordably.

PAN is discouraged to learn that many patients have been forced to the Underground Market because they cannot afford the increased sales taxes or they have lost their collective due to the expensive and over burdensome regulatory scheme that lacks a Compassionate Care component.  

California’s marijuana laws are founded on the Compassionate Use Act that sparked the medical cannabis movement across the country.  Our State’s laws should be the Gold Standard for Compassionate medical cannabis implementation. Please help PAN put Compassion back into California’s cannabis laws by supporting our efforts.  

Seriously ill patients want to take coordinated action in Sacramento to have their concerns heard.  PAN has several actions planning including taking patients to Sacramento to speak with their legislators.  Your contribution guarantees more reasonable regulation and that patients have a voice in policy.  

Your contribution is always tax-deductible and 100% goes toward PAN’s education and advocacy programs.  Please contact us if you have any questions.

You can find our DONATE button here:

Patient Advocacy Network

And here:

Cannabis Patient Voice

If you’d like to add your name to the growing list of patients and caregivers that want to attend a legislative trip to Sacramento, please contact us.