Will California Protect MJ Rights
Like California Protects Immigrant Rights

 Maybe Yes - Maybe No
It's Up to You

SB 54 is the controversial “sanctuary state” bill that bars local and state law enforcement from using their resources to help federal immigration officers enforce federal immigration laws. It is fiercely opposed by state and local law enforcement with Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones stating "If SB 54 passes, it will allow dangerous, violent career criminals to slip through the cracks and be released back into our communities.”

Warning that passage of this bill could endanger federal funding, Sen. Jeff Stone (R-Temecula) opined that “This bill is unsafe. This bill is unlawful. This bill is designed to make California a sanctuary for certain dangerous criminals.” Going one rather large step further, state Sen. Joel Anderson (R-San Diego), said "We are talking about rapists and child molesters."

Even with these calamitous warnings from police and respected legislators, the support by a broad coalition of immigrant and civil rights organizations resulted in the California Senate, on a 27-12, party-line vote, passing SB 54 where it now awaits passage in the state Assembly.

AB 1578 would impose the same restrictions on state and local police preventing their assistance and cooperation with federal police in the enforcement of federal marijuana prohibition law against California residents following California’s medical and adult-use marijuana laws. The bill is up for a vote on the floor of the Assembly as soon as this Friday.

Like SB 54, AB 1578 faces the scorn and wrath of law enforcement with Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood, president of the California State Sheriffs’ Assn., complaining that “It really is quite offensive wanting to direct law enforcement how they want us to work.” Once again warning of a loss of federal funding, Youngblood reminded legislators that growing and selling marijuana “is still a federal felony and we are still in the United States of America, and the state of California cannot take over the United States.”

AB 1578 is coming up for a vote as soon as this Friday. Can marijuana advocates form as a broad a coalition as immigrant rights advocates and succeed in having AB 1578 passed? Good question.

Some might argue that this only affects adult-use marijuana because of the Rohrabacher/Blumenauer amendment defunding the Dept. of Justice from enforcing marijuana prohibition against states with medical marijuana law. This is an illusion that is fraught with danger as Pres. Trump specifically included a signing statement in the spending bill directly alongside the amendment stating he does not have to abide by it.

If Trump didn’t intend to go after medical marijuana, why did he make the extra effort to add that signing statement? Some detractors may say that’s Crazy Old Trump doing his Crazy Old Stuff, but I think he’s being crazy like a fox.

So medical marijuana users and adult-use marijuana users have a lot riding on AB 1578 and if the people in favor of and affected by SB 54 could overcome the opposition by police we can too. But it won’t happen unless YOU step up like the immigration advocates did for SB 54 and put forth two minutes to contact your state assembly member and ask her or him to vote YES on AB 1578.

Notice I wrote two minutes and not 30 seconds because in this case it is critical that you actually take an entire two minutes and call your assembly member’s office rather than 30 seconds to send an email. It is truly easy to do and it truly can affect their vote – especially if they are sitting on the fence which many of them are.  

If you know the name of your assembly member, CLICK HERE and scroll through the list to your assembly member’s name and call the phone number listed there. If you do not know who your assembly member is, CLICK HERE and enter your address. This will bring you to a link that will take you to your assembly member’s website where you can locate the phone number to call

When you call, tell the person who answers your name, where you live, and say:

I’m calling in support of AB 1578. The bill will protect Californians who are operating lawfully under our state’s marijuana laws from their local police helping federal police arrest, prosecute and imprison them. The people voted for legalization and I want their vote respected. Please tell my lawmaker that I called. Thank you.

Do not hesitate to embellish the message with your own personal thoughts.

Most state legislators allow you to leave a voice-mail if you call when the office is not open so call them right now even if its 2 a.m. If the voice-mail option is not available, then please call back anytime Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We can do it just like the immigration rights advocates did, but only if enough people call in support of AB 1578. Will you be one of those people? I sure hope so.

 SACRAMENTO
OR BUST!

Citizen’s Lobby Day Will Make Your Life Better and everyone else’s too!

Sacramento Citizen’s Lobby Day on Monday, June 5 sponsored by Americans for Safe Access and CaNORML is a little more than a week away and we have four seats left on the Citizen Lobby and Party van for the trip from the Inland Empire to Sacramento on Sunday, June 4 and Monday, June 5.

This is an exciting opportunity to learn firsthand about the 47 marijuana bills in the state legislature and then do something about them by going to the offices of YOUR state assembly member and state senator where you can personally convey your thoughts on these bills and send a very strong message on how they should vote.

A previous newsletter contained detailed information about Citizen Lobby Day as well as information on how you can join us for an exciting, fun and a life affirming trip to Sacramento. If you didn’t see it or don’t remember, just CLICK HERE to restore and refresh your memory.

If you want to go, but still haven’t made your reservation for a seat on the van, a room and bed at the inn, conference seats and reception tickets, then send an email to [email protected].  Don’t delay - send it now as only 4 seats remain

The cost is only $85 per person. This includes transportation, lodging (two to a room) and all registration and reception fees. We will dine together if you chose, but all food purchases are on your own. The motel rooms have microwaves and refrigerators as well as free-internet.

ASA’s Citizen Lobby Day in Sacramento has always been a special event that is informative, productive and fun! Don’t miss out on an event that is as cool and memorable as it is rewarding. Reserve your seat in the van and place in our state’s Capitol now by sending an email to [email protected].

Will Prop. 64 Put MJ Attorneys
In the Unemployment Line?
In Colorado arrests for marijuana offenses plummeted from over
80,000 a year before legalization to less that 2,000 after legalization.

Famed MJ attorney Bruce Margolin takes a nuanced look at what may be in store.

Listen now - CLICK HERE
 or go to www.blogtalkradio.com/marijuananews