taking place in Nebraska. Despite efforts on two different fronts to get medical marijuana on the 2018 ballot, all efforts have been halted, at least for the time being.

A recent survey of Nebraska residents showed that 77 percent of respondents would vote yes on a ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana in the state, according to an Omaha World-Herald report. The survey was conducted as part of research one state senator was conducting to support a resolution to make way for voters to decide on medical marijuana legalization. The resolution was dropped, though, when the senator determined she did not have enough support from her fellow legislators, despite the overwhelming support from voters.

Meanwhile the Marijuana Policy Project (which offered support for Proposition 64 when it was on the ballot in California) has been trying to organize a petition drive to get an initiative on the ballot as well. However, the group determined there was not enough time to rally for 2018 and are instead focusing their efforts on a big 2020 push.This is a massive disappointment for the good people of Nebraska who clearly want access to medical marijuana. Not only will they have to wait more than two years to vote, but assuming the initiative passes, it will take time to get the proper licensing systems and regulations in place to establish a medical marijuana infrastructure. That is unless legislators can get their act together before then and properly represent the view of their constituents.

And lest anyone try to turn this into a partisan issue, it should be noted that 58 percent of those who responded to the survey identified as Republicans. Democrats made up 29 percent, and Independents 13 percent, meaning support had to come from a bi-partisan cross-section. It’s obvious to our Los Angeles marijuana legalization attorneys that those who try to pit constituents against each other often try to paint cannabis as a liberal issue, pandering to old school conservative viewpoints rooted in the failed “War on Drugs.” But both parties are seeing through those games and are moving forward, whether naysayers like it or not. The loudest opponent, of course, has been Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has been trying to use his power to roll back protections for states who have passed marijuana laws that contradict the Schedule I classification under Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812. But the country is marching forward, with 29 states already legalizing medical marijuana and more eyeing ballot initiatives.

Those who harbor a bias against marijuana legalization often use their power to try to oppress rights and target cannabis users. If you find yourself the target of such irrational and unfair attacks, our experienced legal team has the wherewithal and knowledge to stand up for your rights. Our team includes attorneys who specialize in either criminal or legal cases, unlike some firms whose attorneys switch between the two. This allows us to hone our expertise and serve the people of Southern California better.

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:

Medical Marijuana Backers Say They Won’t Make a Push for 2018 Nebraska Ballot, March 18, 2018, By Joe Duggan, Omaha World-Herald

More Blog Entries:

Two States Sue Colorado for Legalization of Marijuana, Jan. 3, 2015, Cannabis Law Group

in California (and regulating and taxing), it offers a unique opportunity for the state to make reparations of sort to the people and communities who have suffered the most from the destructive “War on Drugs,” which turned out to be more of a slanderous attack on marijuana and an assault on minorities. According to ACLU, most drug arrests between 2001-2010 were for marijuana, and a whopping 88% of those were for possession. Worse yet, black people were more than 3 times as likely to be arrested for marijuana-related crimes than white people despite having almost equal rates of use.

San Francisco and San Diego are leading the way in the state toward making amends for past marijuana-related crimes. The city’s district attorneys are proactively reviewing cases on the books and expunging misdemeanors that are no longer crimes, giving those who previously have been punished a clean slate. They also are checking for charges that can be reduced to lesser crimes.

But what about the rest of the state?Statewide, those with previous convictions can petition to have their cases reviewed and charges erased or reduced. Many, such as the district attorney’s offices in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, have cited lack of resources as the reason that they don’t review all cases, according to an article from The Press Democrat.

While our experienced marijuana criminal defense lawyers in Los Angeles applaud any and all efforts to undo the overly aggressive enforcement of marijuana-related crimes, we also know that a petition system will leave many in the dust, unaware they are eligible for such relief or uninformed about how to apply. These people will lose out on the benefits a revised record can bring, including making it easier to secure work and housing.

Others agree. Legislation has been proposed that if passed would take the efforts in San Francisco and San Diego all over the state, automatically putting all relevant cases up for review. And while resources certainly could be an issue for some areas, there’s no reason more of the state taxes from marijuana sales could not be allocated for this important cause.

Meanwhile, our attorneys can help you assess if your old convictions are eligible for review. We also are here to fight for your rights if you are currently battling criminal charges. Our law firm includes skilled attorneys who focus solely on criminal cases to give you the strongest support possible for your case.

Besides reviewing criminal records, many regions are using resources to make amends in other ways. For example, Oakland and Los Angeles are setting up social equity programs, which offer aide to those applying for marijuana business licenses who have previous cannabis convictions. In addition, those related to someone with a previous conviction would see favor, in an attempt to lift up families. The programs would also favor low-income applicants, particularly those from areas whose economies were deeply effected by widespread cannabis-related arrests.

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:

Petitions Required in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties to Clear, Reduce Pot-Related Crimes, Feb. 10. 2018, By Julie Johnson, The Press Democrat

More Blog Entries:

Two California Cities Erasing Misdemeanor Marijuana Convictions, Feb. 9, 2018, Marijuana Criminal Defense Lawyers Blog

In Los Angeles and other areas in California, government employees are getting warning letters reminding them that they are not allowed to consume marijuana, even while off-duty, saying their employers strict no-drug policies have not changed, even as state laws have evolved into the 21st century, according to NBC Los Angeles.

The warnings were spurred by the passing of Proposition 64, which led to legalization of recreational marijuana in California as of Jan. 1. Los Angeles is one of the cities which has welcomed legalization efforts and cannabis businesses. Meanwhile, it is clear many will not be able to enjoy the same freedoms as their fellow residents.

No one is arguing the merits of such a policy when it comes to consuming anything that might impair a worker while on the clock. But prohibiting marijuana use on one’s own time is as ridiculous as forbidding an employee from enjoying a glass of wine after a long day at work.Our trusted cannabis legalization attorneys in Los Angeles know that many places of employment will continue to hide behind federal classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug under Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812. That is why it is so important to keep pushing to declassify this beneficial drug, which science has proven time and again has no business being on the same list with drugs such as heroin. However, as things are highly unlikely to change under the current administration, it is crucial to seek legal guidance from knowledgeable attorneys like ours with the experience and know-how to help you navigate the landscape of cannabis laws should you find yourself in trouble, caught between state laws and federal grandstanding.

Metro transit employees were reminded that they are still held accountable by federal Department of Transportation rules, which abide by the Schedule I misclassification. Los Angeles Fire Department reinforced their rule to be a drug- and alcohol-free workplace, and that there would be ramifications for workers appearing on the job under the influence. Such rules are obviously necessary, especially among safety workers. But it is ludicrous that such policies should have any bearing on how an employee spends their personal time while not on-call.

Los Angeles Police Department issued the most pointed memo, explicitly stating marijuana use is not allowed “for any reason” even while off-duty. “Department policy is unaffected by the legalization of adult-use marijuana,” the memo said.

Other non-government businesses have also clung to federal law to guide company policies, including disciplining workers who test positive for marijuana during drug screenings, even without evidence that they were impaired while at work. Our marijuana attorneys have seen the tides changing, though, and are hopeful they will continue to shift. Smart businesses know that the world is moving forward, and in order to remain competitive and retain the best employees, company policies must adapt with the times. They can do so by dropping marijuana from random drug tests and screenings and focus more on performance and whether workers are impaired on the job.

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:

Local Agencies Warn Employees Against Using Recreational Marijuana, Even Off-Duty, Feb. 7, 2018, By Eric Leonard, NBC Los Angeles

More Blog Entries:

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