Medical Marijuana Regulation Bill Fails in Assembly

The California Supreme Court has said cities and counties can decide whether to allow medical marijuana dispensaries within their borders.  But it’s also suggested the legislature could – and perhaps even should – create regulations for an industry that’s legal under California law but not under federal law.

Democratic Assemblyman Tom Ammiano’s bill would do just that.  “The answer to the problems that many communities are having with medical marijauna is this bill, because without this regulation, the bad actors will proliferate and the violence will proliferate,” says Ammiano (D-San Francisco).

But Republicans, some Democrats, law enforcement groups and the League of California Cities opposed the measure, with concerns about crime and local control.  The measure failed twice on the Assembly floor this week.  Ammiano says he’ll work to find another way to get the legislation passed.