Senator Lou Correa’s (D-Orange) medical marijuana regulatory measure, Senate Bill 1262, was heard in the Senate Health Committee this week where the Senator accepted a significant number of amendments of importance to California’s rural counties. With the acceptance of these amendments, the bill secured passage and will now be reviewed in the Senate Appropriations Committee. As previously reported, SB 1262 contained a number of provisions that would have required counties to perform a variety of regulatory functions. In light of the amendments which remove these impositions, RCRC has moved from an “Oppose Unless Amended” position to a “Concerns” position.
RCRC will continue to work with Senator Correa’s Office to address the very complex issues and broader policy considerations associated with establishing a state-administered regulatory program for medical marijuana. It’s also unclear whether the League of Cities and/or the California Police Chiefs Association will continue to sponsor the recently amended version of SB 1262.
Of note, the alternative medical marijuana regulatory measure authored by Assembly Member Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) secured passage last week and now awaits a review in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. RCRC staff continues dialogue with Assembly Member Ammiano’s staff and supporters about much-needed amendments to his Assembly Bill 1894.
For additional information, please contact RCRC Senior Legislative Advocate Paul A. Smith at (916) 447-4806 orpsmith@rcrcnet.org.