Los Angeles medical marijuana lawyers know the law is significant for two main reasons:

• It does not force public school districts to adopt any policy compelling school personnel to administer medical cannabis products to children;
• It does give access to the largest public school population in the nation (roughly 6 million).

Although the law is controversial, it is not without precedent. Eight other states (Colorado, Washington, New Mexico, Illinois, Florida, Delaware, New Jersey and Maine) also allow medical marijuana to be administered to children on campus. Thus far, none of those schools that allow this practice has lost federal funding.

California became the first state nationally to decriminalize medical marijuana back in 1996. Children with certain conditions and disabilities were prescribed the drug even then, but the question of whether or how it should be administered to children in a school setting wasn’t resolved – until now, with the passage of Senate Bill 223, also known as JoJo’s Act.

Rules Under JoJo’s Act

JoJo’s Act was named for a teenager in San Francisco with severe, potentially life-threatening seizures that are effectively treated with doses of cannabis oil. The law enables school district boards, county boards of education and governing bodies of charter schools to decide whether to give the parents or guardians of a student permission to administer medical cannabis.

There are, however, a number of strict limits, and school boards do not have to approve these requests. Among the guidelines that must be met:

• The student must be a qualified patient with a written, valid recommendation for medical cannabis by a physician.
• The medical cannabis must be administered in non-smokable and non-vapable form. (Most medical marijuana products recommended for children already come in pill, liquid, topical cream, tincture or oil form anyway, and most don’t have the sort of psychoactive effects of recreational marijuana.)
• The supply of medical cannabis cannot be stored on school property; parents or guardians must bring it and take it with them when they leave.
• The administering parent or guardian must sign in and must not expose other students to the medical cannabis or otherwise disrupt the educational environment.

It’s important to underscore the fact that this law does not establish a mandate. Schools are not required to allow medical marijuana to be administered to students, and if they do not adopt the policies locally, the practice will still be prohibited. However, before this law passed, possession and use of cannabis within 1,000 feet of a school was against the law.

The change came about in large part because of increasing recognition that the pediatric conditions treated most effectively by cannabis do require regular administration. To get around this law, parents and guardians were having to pull their children out of class and out of the school building to give them their daily doses.

The law allows for some flexibility while creating some clear guidelines but also allowing local governing bodies to create medical cannabis policies that will best suit their students.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, ancillary companies, patients, doctors and those facing marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

INSIGHT: California Allows Medicinal Cannabis in Public Schools—A National Milestone for Cannabis Laws, Jan. 21, 2020, Bloomberg Law

Beginning on March 1 of next year, as much as $53 million worth of “compassionate” medical marijuana could be donated to the needy. That equates to approximately 125,000 patients receiving one gram of flower each day, every day, for an entire year.

The Brownie Mary and Dennis Peron Act, as Senate Bill 34 is known, was sponsored by Sen. Scott Wiener. At the onset of California’s legal adult-use era in early 2018, it quickly became apparent that greater legal protections were needed to ensure marijuana could more easily reach those with medical needs for it.

If you need help deciphering medical marijuana laws, or help trying to get compassionate marijuana out to seriously ill patients, our Los Angeles medical marijuana attorneys are here for you.

Proposition 64 Shortcomings It was a lot less difficult to freely gift medical marijuana to patients in need between 1996 and 2017. Then with the introduction of Proposition 64, which called for the sunset of collectives beginning in 2019, no legal way existed to move free cannabis between medical growers and the terminally ill, elderly or poor.

Under Proposition 64:

• Adults aged 21 and older can only legally gift one another up to one ounce of marijuana at a time; and
• State licensed medical and adult-use stores cannot give away marijuana (that would be considered ‘illegal promotion,’ which could cost cultivators and store owners their licenses.)

Brownie Mary and Dennis Peron Act Senate Bill 34 re-enables the charitable giving of marijuana by re-working California’s track-and-trace system. Simply put, SB 34 implores the state to conduct $375,000 worth of software upgrades, which would then allow for the addition of a tax-free “compassion class” of marijuana within the adult-use supply chain.

Farmers and retailers would also enjoy exemptions to help incentivize compassionate medical-marijuana giving. The new law will give growers an exemption of $9.25 per ounce in cultivation taxes on all marijuana donated to patients in need. While store owners would receive an exemption to the Prop. 64 law that requires a 15 percent state excise tax.

The Brownie Mary and Dennis Peron Act pays homage to two medical-marijuana activists, now internationally lauded for their civil disobediences, who gave medical marijuana to seriously ill patients in the 1980’s.

Legal Implications Making more free marijuana legally available to the terminally ill will make life-changing differences to patients in need. But more barriers will need to be addressed. For instance, many legal cannabis farmers have taken a number of steep losses, via licensing fees, taxes and general business expenditure, so it remains to be seen just how much of their crops they will be willing to give away.

Industry insiders project that in 2020, less than one percent of the state’s $3.1 billion industry might be compassionately given to those medically in need. That would check out to less than $31 million worth of cannabis donations. While that is a start, and passing SB 34 is a first step, now follow up steps will likely become a focus for compassion groups. Broadening SB 34 to permit donations of tax-free products as well, would be a welcomed follow up.

About Cannabis Law Group The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers dispensaries, ancillary companies, patients and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734. Additional Resources: Senate Bill 34 – The Brownie Mary and Dennis Peron Act Proposition 64 – The Adult Use of Marijuana Act

Last week, the California Assembly approved a bill that would permit school boards to decide whether parents can administer medical marijuana on school campuses. The bill notes that marijuana may only be administered via capsules or oils as no smoking or vaping would be permitted, and students can only receive the treatment if accompanied by a medical marijuana prescription.

Why Cannabis at School? According to the Mayo Clinic, medical cannabis has been shown to help those suffering from a number of conditions, including:

• ADHD;
• Chronic pain;
• Crohn’s disease;
• Epilepsy or seizures;
• Multiple sclerosis or severe muscle spasms;
• Nausea, vomiting associated with cancer treatment; and
• Tourette syndrome.

Although there is intense stigma and concern surrounding children and cannabis, the truth is, under the supervision of a meticulous medical doctor, children with conditions like cancer and epilepsy not only benefit from cannabis — they thrive. But parents can face serious penalties – up to an including jail time and custody loss – if they aren’t extremely careful in following the exact letter of the law. Consulting with a lawyer is something you should absolutely do if authorities are questioning your child’s use of medical marijuana, but it may be wise to reach out to an attorney before police come knocking.

If you need advice or help fighting for your right to administer medical marijuana to a child on a school campus, our California medical marijuana lawyers are here for you.

Current Law Needs Updating As the law stands now, marijuana is not permitted on school campuses. That means, for children taking medical marijuana, they must either meet parents off campus, or parents must remove students from school to administer their medication, and then ensure children are returned to school again. Those in support of the bill point out that this protocol can be arduous and detract from students’ class time.

Meanwhile, opponents of the proposed change worry that allowing drugs on campus is opening a can of worms, and ask whether current regulations set in place for children taking medical marijuana are strong enough to keep students safe.

Californian Kids Inspire the Bill The bills is carried by Democratic Sen. Jerry Hill, who said his legislation, if approved, would help children and teenagers suffering from severe medical challenges. Hill’s office noted that a San Francisco teenager in Hill’s district who suffered from up to 50 seizures a day, helped to inspire the bill. The teenager’s condition improved dramatically once beginning medical marijuana treatment.

A similar case in California, saw a school district try to prohibit a 5-year-old girl from bringing her cannabis oil to kindergarten with her. The girl’s family argued that was a violation of protections for disabled students.

A Santa Rosa court temporarily permitted the child to take her medicine with her to school, to help treat a rare form of epilepsy. The judge is currently weighing his final ruling.

Should Hill’s bill pass in the Senate, it will proceed to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. Parents of children undergoing medical marijuana treatment will be hoping for a different outcome from last year, when Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a very similar proposal.

Implications It will be very interesting to see how the Senate votes on allowing children to be receive prescription medical marijuana on K-12 school campuses. Continuing to ask parents to administer medicine away from school is not only logistically challenging and time consuming, but can even be dangerous if students are having to move to and from school campuses unaccompanied throughout the course of the day.

On the other hand, it is reasonable to expect that should the bill pass, safeguards would need to be established to ensure that cannabis oils and capsules were secured from making their way into the possession of students not medically needing them. Should the bill pass, it will also be interesting to see how Gov. Newsom responds to the proposal, so soon after his predecessor prevented the bill’s passage just a year ago. About Cannabis Law Group The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers dispensaries, ancillary companies, patients and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734. Additional Resources: The Mayo Clinic

Senator Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield). The senator wanted to get on the books more concrete ramifications for dispensaries who sold marijuana to underage clients. The bill proposed a tiered system in which first offenders would receive a 15-day license suspension, second-time offenders within a three-year period would receive a 25-day suspension, and a third offense in three years would lead to a full license revocation. SB-1451, however, was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown, who called the bill “not necessary,” according tot a report from High Times. Gov. Brown pointed to the Bureau of Cannabis Control and cited their power to suspend or revoke licenses based on these exact kinds of violations and said he would rather the bureau be able to use their own discretion in determining punishment.

In the numerous discussions surrounding the issue of cannabis laws in California and other states across the country, there has been an extraordinary amount of focus on children. Can they be recommended marijuana by a doctor? What is the punishment for selling to a minor? How can marijuana businesses advertise in a way that would not be seen by or not be appealing to children? How do we make the packaging child safe? How does cannabis affect developing brains and bodies? How far should a business be located from schools? The list goes on and on, and many of these issues can be addressed simply with the guidance of a skilled marijuana legal counsel.Some of these questions are practical, common sense measures that must be taken seriously in the development of a marketplace that revolves around a controlled substance. Others are strawman arguments used to inject old-school fear tactics in order to derail any conversation about marijuana. “Think about the children” has long been a crutch on many issues in which there is not a strong enough argument on one side of the aisle. No one is against child safety, so implying that one side is not thinking of the safety of children is a sure way to win some easy points. We are currently seeing this argument play out in debates over whether marijuana delivery services should be allowed to bring product to private residences in cities with sales bans. One would think a child would be whisked away into a life of crime and drugs at the site of a marijuana delivery van the way some cannabis attackers paint the picture.

We’re finally seeing some sanity prevail, though, particularly in regards to medical marijuana and children with debilitating disorders. SB-1127, which would allow parents to administer cannabis-based medicines to their children on school grounds, is awaiting the governor’s signature. Currently, parents have to remove their child from school property to give them such medication and then bring them back to school, a terribly disruptive process. Furthermore, a discussion about cannabis and children simply cannot occur without noting that the absolute only marijuana-based medicine so far approved by U.S. Food & Drug Administration is one designed specifically for children with severe forms of epilepsy. This makes these children the most legitimized users of marijuana in the entire country. It’s safe to say if a family with an epileptic child lived in an area of California cut off from easy access to dispensaries, they would be pretty excited to see that delivery truck coming down their street with their much-needed medicine.

Our Orange County medical marijuana attorneys implore California’s leadership in their quest to protect children from marijuana that they also take equal time to think about the children who directly benefit from this life-changing medicine.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Governor Vetoes Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Pot Shops That Sell to Minors, By Patrick McGreevy, Sept. 10, 2018, Los Angeles Times

More Blog Entries:

Medical Marijuana for Children With Serious Medical Conditions, March 6, 2016, Cannabis Law Group

medical marijuana. Delaware News Journal reported an increasing number of parents are turning to cannabis for their children with especially serious or rare conditions. It’s no wonder then that California lawmakers recently passed a bill to allow medical marijuana on school premises.

SB-1127 was introduced by Calif. Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) and has passed both houses of the state legislature. Ultimately, the bill would leave it up to school districts and boards of education to decide whether or not to allow medical marijuana on school grounds. While it’s noble to allow school district to have some autonomy, this decision could lead to much confusion and unnecessary distress. Prop 64 allowed cities in California to maintain a ban on sales and cultivation at their own discretion, and it has led to a great deal of Californians not being able to full participate in the cannabis economies they voted to legalize. Similarly, the most vulnerable students and their parents could very well be pigeon-holed by rigid district officials and judgmental peers who can’t understand the complex decisions a parent must make to ensure their child has the best care possible. After all, cannabis generally isn’t recommended by physicians for children except in severe cases. Parents would still be required to administer the medication as needed, and it cannot be smoked or vaped, nor can it be stored at the school. The new bill, if signed into law, does eliminate one step parents must currently fulfill. As it stands now, parents must comes to the school and remove the child from the property before they can give them medical cannabis. Allowing parents to remain on campus at least eases that one burden. Ideally, nurses would be able to dole out medications to children, but public schools are bound by federal law, which still bans cannabis in all forms.

Skeptics say there has not been enough research on medical marijuana’s effectiveness on child patients, which is remarkably ironic considering the only cannabis-based drug to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration is specifically for children. Epidiolex passed the group’s rigorous standards in June and is expected to soon affect the federal scheduling of marijuana. The CBD-based drug is used to ease symptoms of severe forms of childhood epilepsy. As is the case when any medication is prescribed, doctors must consider whether the risk of the medication outweighs the immediate risk of the medical condition they are treating. In the case of debilitating and frequent seizures, the choice for many doctors as to whether to recommend medical marijuana clear.

Our Orange County medical cannabis lawyers are proud to fight alongside parents seeking the best medical options for their children. We hope school boards will see the intention behind this bill and be open to allowing parents the small luxury of being allowed to administer medical marijuana on school grounds. We hope they also will recognize what is best for the kids involved, whose lives are already so disrupted by serious medical conditions. Allowing a little normalcy in their lives by permitting them quick and efficient access to medicine is a small favor to ask.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Bill allowing medical marijuana at schools passes California Legislature, Aug. 28, 2018, CalCoast Times

More Blog Entries:

Students Who Need Medical Marijuana Deserve Easier Access, Feb. 28, 2018, Cannabis Law Group

substantial state taxes on the medical cannabis that they supply to patients in need. SB 829 corrects a hole in Proposition 64, which saddled these not-for-profit organizations with taxes. The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 made medical marijuana legal in California, which spurred the birth of compassionate-care programs for patients with serious health issues and financial restraints. According to NORML, these organizations have been able to donate product and function tax-free up until this year when recreational marijuana became legal.

What did recreational legalization have to do with medical marijuana patients and associated care programs? As our marijuana attorneys can explain, after voters approved Proposition 64, government representatives and officials began ironing out how the recreational program would work. It was determined a set of guidelines was needed that could pull together the medical marijuana industry (which had been active for 20 years) with the new recreational cannabis law. That is when MAUCRSA (Medicinal And Adult-Use Cannabis Regulatory Safety Act) was born. What was intended to streamline rules and make things easier for business owners, customers, and law enforcement officials ended up strapping medical marijuana institutions with a significant number of regulations they previously did not have to follow.Among those regulations was a stipulation that cannabis businesses must pay taxes on all marijuana products, which were already collecting a new level of taxes along each step of the supply chain. This rule applied even to medical marijuana businesses, and made no exception for not-for-profit institutions. Many patients with serious conditions, such as cancer and AIDS have come to rely on the help of compassionate-care organizations. Even patients who did not have financial difficulties before becoming ill often find themselves struggling once the expensive and constant medical bills start rolling in. In the case of patients with cancer and AIDS, each will often experience nausea and loss of appetite with certain treatments. Cannabis is used to effectively ease these symptoms, making it an important piece of the overall treatment program.

Compassionate-care programs receive marijuana through donations from retailers and cultivators. They then give it out for free to patients they have identified as being in need. As of late, though, these groups have been stifled or forced to go on a hiatus because of aggressive tax rates. There is not a way to mark certain cannabis as being meant for donation, so the groups are straddled with cultivation tax. If they were to give out 100 pounds of cannabis to patients, they would be charged an estimated $50,000 in taxes, even though the product is being given away for free.

Our Riverside marijuana attorneys applaud lawmakers for moving to remedy this situation. We know how critical cannabis can be for patients suffering from serious conditions. Organizations willing to help them should not be punished with insurmountable taxes. We continue to support common sense measures like this outside the courtroom while we fight for the rights of medical marijuana patients and businesses in the courtroom. Our team have both civil and criminal attorneys to best serve your needs.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

California Lawmakers OK Free Cannabis, Aug. 28, 2018, By Dan Mitchell, Leafly

More Blog Entries:

The Taxman Cometh: California Cannabis Businesses Unlikely to See Relief, May 29, 2018, Cannabis Law Group

Administration has revealed to investors the cost of the drug: $32,500 per year. This is reportedly on the low-end of original estimates between $30,000 and $60,000. Epidiolex, made with CBD and used to treat rare forms of childhood epilepsy, is said to be priced competitively with other epilepsy drugs on the market. This, however, is not other epilepsy drugs.

One of the reasons, among many, that marijuana has become so popular for medicinal use is that it is relatively inexpensive compared to other treatments, even without the help of insurance companies to cover the costs. Some markup by pharmaceutical companies is to be expected to cover testing, research, and ensure consistency and purity of the product. The disparity between cost and price in this instance seems specifically designed to prey on desperate families already prepared to pay top dollar to help their children. In fact, the price was set with the consultation of insurance companies, according to a Business Insider report.

Certainly this is not outside the realm of reason in the pharmaceutical industry. Marking up the price of medicine is business as usual. It is dubious, however, that pharmaceutical companies have been lobbying so strongly against marijuana legalization until they figured out how to personally benefit. The final cost of the drug after insurance will be far less, with estimates of less than $200 a month for patients. Many do not have the luxury of insurance, though, and will turn to black market sources or, in states where marijuana is legal, the CBD vials on dispensary shelves. The manufacturer of Epidiolex touts that their product is pharmaceutical-grade, but many will not have any choice but to self medicate with the products that are currently available.

Californians have been doing so for more than 20 years, when medical marijuana was first legalized in the state in 1996. In states where home cultivation is legal, many are learning the plant in their house is a merciful replacement for far more expensive (and dangerous) pain medications, like opioids. This is a threat to the pharmaceutical companies who profit handsomely from dependence on expensive, complicated medications that could not possibly be made in home. It is clear why they have fought against medical marijuana for so long.

Our Los Angeles medical cannabis lawyers are keeping a close eye on these developments. Big Pharma has used its influence to keep medical marijuana at bay for years. It is unclear what pharmaceutical companies will do to maintain their foothold in the marijuana marketplace once they enter. Marijuana is almost certainly going to be rescheduled at the federal level to allow for doctors to start prescribing Epidiolex. Schedule I narcotics, such as marijuana at current, allegedly hold no medicinal value, and therefore are prohibited even for prescriptions. Schedules 2, 3, 4 and 5 each hold different levels of restrictiveness. Our experienced attorneys will be on hand to answer the numerous questions about how such a rescheduling could affect your business and how to remain competitive once major pharmaceutical companies enter the game. The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Epidiolex, First Cannabis Medicine Approved by the FDA, Will Cost $32,500 a Year, Aug. 10. 2018, By Chris Moore, Merry Jane

More Blog Entries:

FDA Approval Could Change Everything for Medical Marijuana, July 1, 2018, Cannabis Law Group

veterans are using medical marijuana. This is in spite of the fact that the department does not allow its doctors to recommend marijuana. The department cites Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812 as the reason for this policy, stating they are bound by the federal ban on cannabis being part of a federal agency. The department even shies away from studying the benefits of cannabis, instead focusing their research almost entirely on its problems, according to an article from New York Times.

For veterans who rely on medical treatment through the VA, this can mean they never receive access to medical marijuana. Many veterans have reported cannabis to be an effective treatment for chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder – two common issues among those who have fought in wars. It could also mean that veterans will still seek a way to obtain medical marijuana, either by visiting a physician certified to recommend cannabis other than their VA doctor, by purchasing recreational marijuana if they live in a state where it’s legal, or by illicit means. None of these methods are ideal, and this certainly is not the way we should be treating those who have served our country. There are, however, a few things that would be helpful for veterans to know about medical marijuana and the VA.The VA has a list of guidelines to help veterans understand their patient rights and how medical marijuana and VA treatments can co-exist.

• Veterans will not be denied VA benefits if they disclose marijuana use.
• They are encouraged to discuss medical marijuana use with their VA provider.
• Use will be recorded, but will remain confidential as part of privacy laws.
• VA will not recommend medical marijuana, will not fill out paperwork to participate in state programs, will not fill prescriptions for any form of marijuana at VA pharmacies, and will not pay for prescriptions of medical marijuana from other sources.
• Use or possession of medical marijuana is not permitted on VA property, which is considered federal property, operating under federal law.
• VA employees are subject to drug testing.

The department is currently involved in two studies about the potential positive effects of medical marijuana: one that tests CBD and its effects on PTSD (which is slated to last through 2023) and another that studies pain relief for hospice care patients. These studies are small steps, but steps nonetheless. Meanwhile, other people and organizations are stepping up to bat for our veterans. American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars are pushing for expanded studies, for example. The Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance gathers donations from growers to give away to veterans for free every month to help those who cannot afford to get cannabis without the help of their VA benefits. The giveaway bags include a variety of products, such as candies, hemp oils, lotions, pills, and smokable strains, giving veterans many options depending on their needs.

Our Los Angeles medical marijuana lawyers also will always be here to defend our veterans seeking relief with the help of cannabis.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

VA and Marijuana – What Veterans Need to Know, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

More Blog Entries:

Veterans Continue to be Denied Medical Marijuana Access, May 1, 2014, Cannabis Law Group

involves cannabis. A joint project by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Toronto’s Scythian Biosciences Corp., and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis has led to the development of a “concussion pill,” which combines CBD and an NMDA amino acid anesthetic, according to UPI. Pre-clinical studies on rodents are showing improved cognitive function after traumatic brain injury, more so than either component of the pills does on its own. Trials also showed no adverse effects caused by either component individually nor in combination.

Traumatic brain injuries have made headlines in recent years as more attention has been brought to the dangers of aggressive contact sports, such as football, and the long-term damage caused by concussions. Meanwhile, football players have become some of the strongest advocates for medical marijuana. Cannabis, particularly CBD, has proven to be effective at treating chronic pain caused by sport-related injuries, and does not have the addictive properties of opioids, which are typically prescribed for such injuries. Other players suffer from conditions unrelated to sports, but using medical marijuana has made it possible for them to enjoy activities with fewer limitations. For example, medical marijuana is proving to be a breakthrough treatment for severe seizures, paving the way for people with epilepsy to perform at a competitive level like never before. All of these factors make athletes ideal for receiving the benefits of medical marijuana treatments. Yet continued backward thinking about the drug is holding us back. Time and again, these people face roadblocks in playing the sports they love and getting the treatments they need because of Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812, which classifies marijuana as a Schedule I narcotic. Students seeking to compete at NCAA schools find themselves fighting zero-tolerance anti-drug policies, even in states where medical marijuana is legal (which is now a total of 30 states). Even NFL players and other professional athletes are subjected to drug testing that includes marijuana. Many report fighting opioid addiction because, although it’s well documented how dangerous overuse of these medications has become, they are still (in the eyes of federal law) considered preferable over cannabis, of which no overdose deaths have ever been documented.

Researchers who have been developing the “concussion pill” envision a future in which it would be kept at the sidelines of all full-contact sporting events to help control the immediate inflammation caused after trauma. First responders and emergency rooms could also be equipped with the medication to be administered as quickly as possible, addressing issues before their effects are potentially irreversible. First, though, there will be a small series of human evaluations, followed by an extensive three-year full clinical trial, and finally assessment by U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Our Orange County medical cannabis lawyers also dream of such a future. We only can hope evidence of the benefits of cannabis continues to grow, making it impossible for the powers-that-be to deny its beneficial properties any longer. Californians have known for some time the impressive benefits of this versatile plant, yet are continually restricted by the federal ban. It is time our federal leaders get on the right side of history and allow Americans to get the treatments they deserve.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

‘Concussion Pill’ Shows Promise in Pre-Clinical Pilot Study, July 10, 2018, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

More Blog Entries:

Seizures Couldn’t End Football Dreams, But CBD Oil Might, May 27, 2018, Cannabis Law Group

country where, despite mounting evidence, the federal government is stubbornly standing by marijuana’s classification as a Schedule I narcotic, it’s discouraging to see facts seemingly ignored. It’s no wonder, then, people would take the opposite extreme stance to combat. A report from Los Angeles Times delves into the phenomenon of pro-marijuana hyperbole in the face of anti-cannabis hysteria.

Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812, deems that marijuana has no medical benefits, is addictive, and would be harmful to use even under a doctor’s supervision. Thirty states and Washington, D.C., disagree with this assessment and have passed medical marijuana laws as such. Those states laws, however, can only go so far to usurp the authority of the federal government. As such, certified doctors in those states can only dole out medical cannabis recommendations, rather than a full-fledged prescription. They can suggest certain forms of consumption for the ailments of the particular patient, such a lotions or edibles, but the patient is on their own for the most part once they reach the dispensary. Dispensary owners, for their part, have done a tremendous job learning about the different products they carry. They gather information from their shoppers about which products have had the most effective results for what disorders and diseases and they try to share this anecdotal knowledge with other patients. This strategy is hardly the exact science many patients with really dire diagnoses need.

This has bred a grassroots culture of knowledge sharing among cannabis users that has been both good and bad. The good is, millions of people across the country have woken up to the plentiful benefits of cannabis, for both medical purposes and pleasure. Without leading medical authorities to point to for guidance in the quest for knowledge about cannabis, though, it has been challenging to rein in exaggerated claims. For example, cannabis can ease the nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy treatments, and medical professionals are beginning to discover a link between CBD and cancer treatments. If you look to the authority of the collective intelligence of the Internet, though, cannabis allegedly can outright cure seven out of 10 cancer patients. Evidence is lacking, obviously, for such an over-the-top claim. When authority figures try to disputes these claims, however, there’s little room for trust. After all, how can the common person believe the same authority figures who tell them that cannabis has absolutely no medical benefits whatsoever, when it obviously does.

That is why our L.A. medical marijuana attorneys believe so strongly in legalization. People need to be able to trust their doctors again. They need to be able to have legal access to marijuana that can potentially ease the symptoms of chronic pain, anxiety, Alzheimer’s Disease, and, yes, cancer. Doctors need to have access to the best medical research available to be able to prescribe exactly what their patients need. And researchers need funding and freedoms to conduct such tests without federal agencies looming over their shoulders. We all need to be operating on the facts, and the first step is for the federal government to face the facts about marijuana’s health benefits.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

With Marijuana Legal, California Flooded with Dubious Health Claims About the Drug, July 9, 2018, By Gary Robbins, Los Angeles Times

More Blog Entries:

FDA Approval Could Change Everything for Medical Marijuana, July 1, 2018, Cannabis Law Group

than opioid addiction. Both U.S. and Canadian governments have dubbed the rapid increase in overdoses to be a crisis or epidemic. Meanwhile, cannabis has demonstrated itself to be the potential key to unlocking the addictive cycles, adding to the urgency in passing more effective medical marijuana laws. In New York, emergency rules have been put in place to allow medical marijuana as an opioid replacement. Yet in Ontario, where medical marijuana is permitted at the federal level for a variety of conditions, workers are still having opioids pushed on them.

New York state Department of Health recently added opioid dependency to the list of 12 other conditions that qualify patients for medical marijuana recommendations, according to Marijuana Moment. Chronic pain, one of the key issues opioids are used to treat, is already on the list, but specifically adding opioid substitution gives doctors the freedom to recommend cannabis to those with opioid addictions regardless of the reason they started taking them. Officials are hoping this strategy reduces the number of opioid deaths, noting that states with pro-medical marijuana laws on the books have seen a 30 percent drop in opioid prescriptions for Medicaid users.Statistics as of March 2018 from National Institute on Drug Abuse show more than 115 people die of opioid overdoses every day in the U.S. In Canada, numbers are also on the rise with an average of almost 8 deaths per day in 2016 and a push for better data collection across the provinces. Meanwhile, cannabis has continued to hold strong at zero deaths from overdose year after year. Hard to fathom, then why marijuana remains a Schedule I narcotic (considered the most dangerous) compared to opioids which are Schedule III, according to Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812.

These anecdotes and evidence make it more confounding what’s happening in Ontario. Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is denying medical cannabis claims from patients licensed to use it to treat their injuries and manage pain. Other private insurers in the country have gotten on board with covering their patients, but WSIB has opted to favor opiates. Despite citing a concern over the addition crisis, WSIB has reportedly denied patients who have found pain relief from CBD and other cannabis compounds and want to free themselves of their opioid addictions. We’re used to these types of games in the U.S. because insurers have to be wary of federal laws, but it’s disappointing to see professionals still dragging their feet even when law is on their side.

So long as misconceptions and falsehoods about cannabis continue to prevent people from accessing the care they need, our Riverside medical marijuana attorneys will keep fighting for your rights. Our law firm protects patients, advises business owners, and even offers defense in criminal cases related to cannabis. We take pride in our work to defend medical marijuana users in Southern California and educating people about the truths and benefits of this substantially useful drug, especially in the face of the international opioid epidemic.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Injured Workers in Ontario Advised to Seek Opioids Instead of Cannabis, July 12, 2018, By A.J. Herrington, High Times

More Blog Entries:

Study: Legal Marijuana is Saving Lives Amid Opioid Epidemic, Oct. 23, 2017, Cannabis Law Group

State Question 788 passed with 57 percent approval despite almost half a million dollars spent on a campaign to shut down the proposal. Gov. Mary Fallin and Sen. James Lanford (R) joined several health and law enforcement organizations to voice opposition to the ballot initiative, according to a report from Forbes. Some voters claim the issue did not even appear on their ballot, causing speculation as to how far some would go to stop the measure. Even the fact that the issue was placed on a primary ballot rather than during a general election seemed to be tactically designed to set it up for failure since voters who show up at primaries tend to lean more conservative. The passage of the measure in spite of such obstacles, however, proves what cannabis advocates like our medical marijuana attorneys have been saying all along: marijuana is not a partisan issue.

Not only was the medical marijuana initiative passed, but it also stands apart from other states in that it gives more freedom to doctors. Some government officials in other states have decided they know better than medical doctors and have confined the permissible medical conditions by which health practitioners can recommend cannabis to a pre-determined list. The new Oklahoma law, however, keeps the power to decide squarely where it belongs, with board-certified medical professionals.

The measure allows for patients who are granted ID cards to possess up to eight ounces of marijuana in their home and up to three in public. For concentrates, one ounce is permitted and up to 72 ounces of edibles. Limited home cultivation is also allowed. The measure also leaves room for an extremely fair system of law enforcement in which those who are found with 1.5 ounces or less without the proper paperwork are not punished as if they had committed high treason. If they can cite a medical condition as the reason for their use, they would be issued a $400 fine. That is, so long as voters get their way.

Some leaders, however, can’t leave well enough alone. Citing her respect for the will of the people, Gov. Fallin also made it clear that respect does not extend so far as letting voters decide how much freedom people in the state would enjoy. She seeks to tighten up any points that would dare to resemble anything close to recreational legalization. Support for recreational cannabis, however, is growing quickly across the country, with nearly two-thirds support and legalization in nine states and Washington, D.C. Buttoning up medical laws too tightly could spur Oklahomans to take that next step toward full adult-use legalization.

Our L.A. medical marijuana lawyers see this victory in Oklahoma as a big win for all of us. The more support cannabis receives nationwide, the quicker we can all move on to removing the federal ban and start working together toward breakthrough medical research, creating interstate marketplaces, and learning more about this highly beneficial plant.

Additional Resources:

Oklahoma Voters Approve Medical Marijuana Measure, June 27, 2018, By Madison Park, CNN

More Blog Entries:

Med Students Must Learn About Medical Marijuana, March 23, 2018, By L.A. medical marijuana lawyers blog

Americans not only support cannabis in theory, but also in practice. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs recently published a report showing that daily use of marijuana among adults is on the rise since 2007, while teen use is actually dropping.

Findings showed daily use increased among all age groups between 18 to 64, with an insignificant lead in the data among 18 to 34-year-olds. Non-daily use increased across all adult categories as well, but especially among 26- to 34-year-olds. The most likely cause is the wave of states that have legalized marijuana in some form. California is one of nine states (with a guest appearance by Washington, D.C.) that has total legalization for adult use. The number jumps to 29 when counting states with medical marijuana laws. The specifics vary by state, but the fact of the matter is Americans are discovering the health and recreational benefits of marijuana and incorporating it into their daily lives. The study was put together by researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York. Results were compiled based on more than 700,000 respondents ages 12 and older to the 2002-2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

The increase of use mirrors the increase of support for marijuana legalization across the country. A Quinnipiac University poll released in April showed nationwide support of recreational marijuana legalization at 63 percent, the highest yet in the university’s surveys. This data is coming from a sampling of participants in which only 22 percent said they lived in a state where it was currently legal, showing the interest is spreading. This aligns roughly with the number of respondents who believe marijuana is not a gateway drug at 61 percent.

Positive responses for medical marijuana legalization have typically been higher in such polls, and this survey is no different, with support coming in at a staggering 93 percent. Furthermore, 70 percent of participants said the federal government has no business enforcing federal bans on states that have their own permissive laws in place. Despite all of this support, though, cannabis users are still facing resistance from a dying ideology. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made it well known his feeling on marijuana. A majority of states still are nervous about recreational use, despite massive shifts in public opinion. Even in states where there is legalization, many overly protective restrictions have been put in place to appease those still caught up in fear-based hysteria over cannabis.

That’s why our trusted Los Angeles medical marijuana attorneys are always on the ready. Cannabis freedoms are at an all time high, but don’t let that cloud your awareness of the many restrictions that are still in place. Some officials are just waiting for someone to slip-up so they can enforce archaic laws in any way they can. If that should happen, our attorneys are prepared to protect your rights. We are proud to stand alongside the majority of Americans in the fight for cannabis laws to recognize the positive uses for marijuana and finally align with the will of the people.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Study Finds Increase in Daily Cannabis Use Among American Adults, June 20, 2018, News Medical

More Blog Entries:

Public Support for Marijuana Legalization Higher than Ever, April 6, 2017, Cannabis Law Group

treatments. University of Utah is planning a $740,000, two-year study on how marijuana affects the brain and why it affects some people differently. UC San Diego, meanwhile, received a cool $4.7 million to research the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in the treatment of autism. The university said it is the largest private donation for medical cannabis research in U.S. history, according to KPBS.

Where the federal government has failed, The Ray and Tye Noorda Foundation is attempting to fill a need for more comprehensive medical cannabis research. The foundation says it donates sizable grants to projects it believes will help build a “world where all people enjoy equal opportunities to achieve health, purpose, and happiness.” Our medical marijuana attorneys certainly agree cannabis research fits the bill. Project subjects the foundation is funding also include chronic homelessness, economic advancement, housing and health initiatives, and re-entry into society after serving jail time, in addition to cannabis research. The study at the University of Utah will track the reaction of the psychoactive compound in cannabis (THC) with certain brain receptors in 40 adults, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. Finding the right balance of psychoactive and non-psychoactive compounds to produce the desired effect in the brain could be a major breakthrough for treating disorders such as PTSD and anxiety. UC San Diego’s research will stick to non-psychoactive CBD, which shows promise in helping autism patients adapt to brain abnormalities.

Because of marijuana’s status as a Schedule I narcotic according to the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812, funding for medical marijuana research is more complicated than other types of medical treatments. Schedule I means a drug has been determined to have a “high potential for abuse,” “no currently acceptable medical use,” and there is a “lack of accepted safety” even with a doctor’s supervision. For drugs in which these qualities are true, it is understandable why federal agencies would have extremely strict standards for using the drugs in human testing. We would want the highest restrictions possible for medical testing involving other Schedule I narcotics, such as heroin and LSD. We all know cannabis is not in the same league as these highly dangerous drugs. Continuing to hide behind this classification as a reason to delay much needed medical testing is political posturing, pure and simple. To add insult to injury, the little bit of funding tagged for cannabis research often goes toward studying negative effects, like driving under the influence, or drug use prevention studies.

When the federal government is not fulfilling its obligation to the people, it is up to the people to stand up for themselves. Generous donors can help us progress with research and medical testing. Meanwhile, our skilled Orange County marijuana lawyers will protect your rights on the legal front. We have attorneys with extensive experience in both civil and criminal cases, so we can tackle a broad range of legal issues. We also can help cannabis businesses get started with business plans and licensing assistance. Our team is ready to help Southern California progress forward with hopes the rest of the country will follow.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

UC San Diego Receives Significant Medicinal Cannabis Research Donation, April 26, 2018, KPBS Public Broadcasting

More Blog Entries:

Research: Marijuana Possibly a Treatment for HIV, Nov. 20, 2017, Orange County Medical Marijuana Lawyers Blog

James, a running back, injured his ankle during a football game in 2013. According to a CNN report, he was prescribed opioid painkillers. In short order (as so often happens) he became dependent on the pills. He became aware that an addiction was forming and wanted something safer to ease the pain.

After some research, he concluded marijuana was truly the best option – to ease the pain, end his addiction and maintain his physical prowess. James had some reservations about this decision, witnessing the way drug addiction in general harmed his family and his childhood communities. But, like a majority of Americans, he soon learned that cannabis does not belong in the same category as other street drugs at all, and decided to take the leap.

The NFL, unfortunately still takes a hard-line stance with marijuana use by players, who are drug-tested regularly. (Yet League officials see no problem whatsoever with players consuming dangerous opioid pain relievers.) CNN points to to a study from Drug and Alcohol Dependence, in which over half of ex-NFL players surveyed said they used opioids, with 71 percent of them admitting they misused them. Support for prescription painkillers continues, despite many leaders – President Trump included – have declared opioid addiction an epidemic. When it comes to medical marijuana, though, which can be a safe, effective, and non-habit forming treatment under proper medical guidance, this is where NFL leaders choose their line in the sand.

As our Los Angeles medical marijuana lawyers can explain, the NFL is sticking by Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812, which categorizes marijuana as a Schedule I narcotic. That means the federal government has passed judgment that cannabis has no medical benefits, is dangerous, and is addictive. Conveniently for marijuana naysayers, this Schedule I classification makes it nearly impossible for U.S. scientists to conduct studies to prove otherwise. Meanwhile, other countries, such as Israel, are leading the way in medical marijuana research, including a study that demonstrate how the drug can be a safer alternative to opioids. The Schedule I classification puts marijuana in the same category as heroin, which is a total farce. Ironically (and infuriatingly), heroin has far more in common with many legal painkillers, as it too is considered an opioid, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

What does all of this mean? Mike James is now being forced to choose between an effective medical treatment that is not causing him long-term harm and his football career. He recently became the first NFL player to file for a therapeutic use exemption, the only way around the league’s anti-cannabis rules. The league denied his application. James has said he will continue to fight. While he has his wealth and fame on his side, you have a team of skilled lawyers on your side. We know all too many average citizens must make these same critical choices when it comes to their career and their health, and our team is here to use our extensive knowledge of medical marijuana law to fight for your rights.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Israel Scientific Study: Cannabis Safe and Effective for Regular Use in the Elderly; Can Decrease the Use of Other Prescription Medicines, Including Opioids, Feb. 20, 2018, PRNewswire

More Blog Entries:

Marijuana as a Replacement to Opioids, Dec. 6, 2017, Los Angeles Medical Marijuana Lawyers Blog

to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, patients have been reaping the benefits of cannabis for everything from glaucoma to anxiety and chronic pain. Unfortunately, the research that would help independently establish these things has largely been stifled in the U.S., owing largely to the federal policy that classifies marijuana as a Schedule I narcotic. Meanwhile, as reported by U.S. News & World Report, Israel has become a leader in marijuana research – and one of the latest findings of Israeli researchers underscores the medicinal properties of marijuana for cancer patients.

Published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine, the study analyzes the effects of cannabis on symptoms related to cancer and cancer treatments. These include nausea, vomiting, headaches, weakness, pain, and more. According to the study, 1,046 out of 1,742 reported success in overcoming these symptoms after six months. This total did not include participants who passed away, switched cannabis providers, or did not respond to questionnaires. The study looked mostly at patients who were at an advanced stage of cancer and on average 60-years-old. These factors meant a quarter of patients died before the study was over, but even many of those patients reported having the pain of their condition eased by cannabis.

“Success” was determined by those who ranked their symptoms as having moderate or significant improvement and who did not have any adverse side effects. Patients with different cancers reported varying effectiveness, with renal cancer patients reporting the highest benefits and melanoma cancer patients the lowest.

Because marijuana is effective at alleviating multiple cancer symptoms, patients can take fewer drugs, which means less chance of negative drug interactions. It’s also not addictive, so patients can relieve pain without worrying about getting hooked. Study authors noted cannabis has been used medically and recreationally for thousands of years.

Our long-time Los Angeles medical marijuana lawyers know there have been decades of pointed political efforts to disparage any effort to use marijuana as medicine, much of it relying on the drug’s federal classification Schedule I narcotic (per Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812). Under that classification, the drug has is considered dangerous, with “no currently accepted medical use in treatment.” It’s nearly impossible for scientific institutions in the U.S. to conduct medical research with any illegal substance of this classification, which meant we lost decades of research advancement on this front.

In Israel, medical marijuana was legalized in 1997. It is mostly used the ease symptoms associated with cancer and chemotherapy. Thankfully, we can now share in their findings as we continue to expand cannabis-based treatments across the U.S. and begin to officially educate medical students. And as we continue to conduct more studies like this one, it will be more difficult for federal officials to continue to deny the power of pot.

In the meantime, our skilled team is here to defend the rights of medical marijuana patients, as well as dispensary owners, and operators all along the supply chain.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

For Cancer, Cannabis Has Many Virtues, Says Large Study, March 19, 2018, By Nick Mulcahey, Medscape

More Blog Entries:

Cancer Patient Claims Illegal Medical Marijuana Healed Him, Feb. 28, 2016, Medical Marijuana Lawyers Blog

catching up to what California and our trusted attorneys have known for a long time: That marijuana is a safe and effective treatment for many illnesses and ailments. So safe, in fact, that laws are expanding to open up marijuana for recreational consumption as well, with California implementing Proposition 64 Jan. 1. We are now one of 29 states that has some form of cannabis legalization.

But we also know the more things change, the more they stay the same.

High Times recently delved into the issue of medical schools and teaching about medical marijuana to students. One medical journal study last year showed that 90 percent of med students don’t learn anything about marijuana in medical school. Less than 10 percent of medical schools have any sort of medical marijuana curriculum. And roughly 25 percent of graduates wouldn’t even feel prepared to talk about cannabis as an option with a patient.

The findings are discouraging, but not surprising considering the stigma marijuana still holds on the federal level. As our Orange County medical marijuana attorneys can explain, it is difficult to conduct medical research studies involving cannabis when it is still labeled as a Schedule I narcotic under Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812. Thus, fewer schools are teaching how to use it as a treatment and the vicious cycle continues. So who has been prescribing medical marijuana all this time? Of course there are skilled physicians who have taken the time to study and research the benefits of medical cannabis and have written recommendations for a medical marijuana card. Writing a prescription directly is still not allowed because of marijuana’s federal classification, but state law allows a recommendation to be written for a medical card as a workaround. These doctors see patients with cancer, glaucoma, arthritis, epilepsy and more and know the substantial benefit the right form of marijuana can have on patients’ lives.

But with a lack of physicians comfortable discussing marijuana, it’s a not-very-well-kept secret that you can get a medical marijuana recommendation pretty easily from any number of medical cannabis pop-up shops. A few minutes telling the practitioner about what ails you, and you can be out the door with a recommendation. In the pre-recreational era, many were known to take advantage of such operations to obtain marijuana for personal use. Thankfully, the law is allowing people options to legally and safely get marijuana to consume under responsible, watchful regulations.

However, this still doesn’t help patients who really need marijuana for medical treatment. Sure they can access it easily enough. Even if they don’t want to fuss with a medical recommendation card, they can simply walk into any number of shops and find what they want. But that will only lead to more people self diagnosing and self medicating. There’s a difference between a drug being safe to consume and knowing the precise dosage and best method of consumption to treat your particular ailment. That is why our attorneys are calling for more training in schools to teach the next generation of medical professionals how to maximize the healing properties of cannabis and finally give it the recognition it deserves as a legitimate form of treatment.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

10 Diseases Where Medical Marijuana Could Have an Impact, April 16, 2015, By Jen Christensen, CNN

More Blog Entries:

Issues with Medical Marijuana Clinical Studies, Nov. 2, 2017, Medical Marijuana Lawyers Blog

treatment from their vet?

A vast majority of rational Americans agree that the use of marijuana as a treatment for medical purposes is a decision that should be made between and doctor and patient. Recent polls show more than 90 percent of respondents favor medical marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation. And California has long been a defender of patient rights by leading the nation in medical marijuana legalization with the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.

So why should the decision be any different when it comes to animals and veterinary professionals?

As it stands, California law does not extend to veterinarians the ability to recommend marijuana as a treatment for animals. But AB-2215, introduced by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-27), is looking to change that. The bill would put the power in the hands of the Veterinary Medical Board by calling on them to set the standards for state-licensed veterinarians to discuss marijuana treatment for animal patient clients, and it would also prevent veterinarians from being punished for having such discussions.

That all sounds great, but the bill is receiving criticism from the Veterinary Medical Board for not being broad enough, according to American Veterinarian. The board recently voted 4-2 not to support the bill, citing a primary concern over the word “discuss.” Board members felt this language was too soft, and still didn’t empower vets to “recommend” marijuana for pets. They also voiced concerns over the disciplinary restrictions in the bill, asking that they still be given authority to punish a veterinarian who recommends a dangerously high dosage of cannabis for treatment.

Our Riverside medical marijuana attorneys hope this bill is revised to reflect the concerns of the board and that it paves the way for man’s best friend to get the best treatment. Without the board’s support, this bill is pretty much dead in the water. We know veterinarians are the ones best equipped to make these decisions and should be the ones setting the rules. We also know that all too often, without the guidance of vets, people will turn to the Internet for answers. This is an easy way to put animals in harm’s way by misdiagnosing their symptoms or giving them too high of a dose or allowing them to consume the wrong form of marijuana, all problems that could be avoided with the help of a veterinary specialist.

We also know the challenges that veterinarians face as the travel down this uncharted path. Even though we are learning more every day about the medical benefits of marijuana, there is still limited research due to the drugs classification as a Schedule I narcotic in the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812. The research is even more limited when it comes to the effects on animals. But handing these decisions over to veterinary professionals is a good first step.

As laws continue to progress to expand medical marijuana use across the country, our team of trusted lawyers will be here to protect the rights of patients … even four-legged ones.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

California Bill Would Let Veterinarians to Discuss Cannabis with Clients, March 1, 2018, By Kerry Lengyel, American Veterinarian

More Blog Entries:

The Legality of Marijuana for Pets in Los Angeles, Oct. 29, 2017, Medical Marijuana Attorneys Blog

children who benefit from it, there comes a question of who is really being protected.

Some children use cannabis oils, tinctures, capsules, creams, or liquids as treatment for medical issues with the recommendation and guidance of a physician. These treatments can offer relief to suffering that might otherwise prohibit the child from normal participation in school activities. However, the treatment itself has become a disruption: currently parents must remove children from school property before administering doctor recommended medical marijuana, according to a report from South San Francisco Patch.

Sen. Jerry Hill (D-Mateo) is hoping to put an end to this absurd practice with the introduction of SB-1127. The bill would allow governing bodies of school systems and charter schools to set their own policies, opening the door to allow medical marijuana use on school grounds for grades kindergarten through 12. It would still, of course, prohibit smoking or vaping, even if it is for medicinal purposes. The drug cannot be administered in a way that would be disruptive to the educational environment or that would expose other students. And storage of medical marijuana would not be permitted on school grounds.

The process would therefore still be a disruption for caregivers, who would need to come to the school to dole out the necessary dosage. Parents would still be required to manage and administer the drug without assistance from a school nurse or administrator. But at least children would not be ripped from their daily activities and dragged off school property, just to be used as a prop in some ridiculous point about marijuana.

It is important to teach minors about risks and why marijuana is regulated and should only be used recreationally by adults. But it is also true that cannabis is beneficial when used for children with special medical needs. Treating marijuana like radioactive material that can’t even be in the same building as the other children is only perpetuating the stigma of years past. We must arm the next generation with facts and understanding as well as protections and regulations.

It’s been more than two decades that medical marijuana has been available in California, with the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. And with Prop 64 recently going into effect, cannabis will be in the public consciousness more than ever. Children are going to have questions. Hauling their classmates off campus to responsibly and legally receive medical treatment is alarming and confusing, and will not be a deterrent to the other students who might be curious. Grandstanding and symbolic restrictions are no replacement for education.

Our medical marijuana lawyers in Orange County applaud any steps toward easier access of cannabis for patients and deconstructing myths and stigmas surrounding marijuana. This next generation will grow up in a world where marijuana is commonplace. But there is absolutely a time and a place for it. It is up to all of us to teach them responsibility, rather than rely on scare tactics so they can lead us all into a brighter future.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

CA Lawmaker Seeks to Allow Cannabis Medicine in Schools, Feb. 16, 2018, South San Francisco Patch

More Blog Entries:

Medical Marijuana for Children with Serious Medical Conditions, March 6, 2016, Medical Marijuana Lawyers Blog

bill that would prevent employers from discriminating against employees because they use cannabis for medical purposes was recently introduced by Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), according to The Cannifornian.

California was the first to legalize medical marijuana with the passing of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. Yet it is trailing woefully behind in protecting workers. Currently 11 of the 29 states (plus Washington, D.C.) that have legalized medical cannabis already have laws in place to protect employees who have a physician’s recommendation to use marijuana to treat a condition.

Assembly Bill 2069, if passed, would establish long overdue employee protections by prohibiting employers from firing or not hiring “a qualified patient or person with an identification card” solely on the basis that they use marijuana for medical purposes or for testing positive for cannabis on a drug test.The state failed medical marijuana patients by not including employee protections in the original bill. They failed even further by not doing anything since then. This gap in the legislation has since left patients beholden to employers and political whims.

More than a decade after medical marijuana legalization, the California Supreme Court ruled against an Air Force veteran (and medical marijuana patient) who was fired, citing the lack of employee protections in state law. Legislators tried to overturn the ruling, but were vetoed by the governor, solidifying that rights rested with employers rather than employees who are simply following instructions of a medical care provider. Meanwhile, other prescribed medications are given a pass in the workplace, regardless of what effects they might have on the patient.

It should be noted that the bill does not offer protection if the employee is impaired while on duty as a result of cannabis use. The employer would be able to take corrective action or terminate the employee. It also does not force a business to employ someone who is unable to perform the essential duties of a job due to a condition (given that reasonable accommodations would be provided). This destroys any excuse someone might have to delay this necessary law.

The bill also emphasizes what our skilled Orange County medical marijuana lawyers have always known, which is that “no scientific evidence exists that medical cannabis users are substandard employees.” In fact, with cannabis use on the rise in California, employers will find themselves at a real disadvantage in attracting talent if they continue to maintain archaic drug testing standards.

The bill further points out that drug tests have not demonstrated an improvement in workplace safety. Cannabis is an especially ludicrous drug to test for, considering it can appear on a test days or weeks after use, making it impossible to identify when the use occurred.

Our trusted lawyers hope action will be taken swiftly on this matter. Californians have suffered too long, not knowing whether they could lose their job because of their medical treatment. No one should have to choose between taking care of their health and taking care of their livelihood.

Additional Resources:

California May End Workplace Discrimination Against Marijuana Users, Feb. 14, 2018, By Tim Kohut, High Times

More Blog Entries:

Employers Revisiting Policies on Marijuana, Jan. 1, 2018, Cannabis Law Group