Why is there no REAL discussion of 5073?!

For those of you who haven't been paying attention to the bill, there have been some heinous amendments proposed... If it passes with these amendments, this is what will happen:

- People will no longer be able to participate in collective gardens.
- There may only be one dispensary per county.
- Dispensers must forward records of who gets their meds every month to the DOH. Who gets access to this information?
- â??Authorizes DOH and DOA to produce, process, and dispense all cannabis for medical use in Washington.â?� This is the PRIVATIZATION of the medical cannabis industry in Washington State. They also have the right to put whatever price they want on the medicine. Patients who can barely afford it now will be priced out of the market. It will not be cheap... guaranteed.
- If you have children, you can no longer use cannabis for medical purposes.
- If you arenâ??t on the registry they can do whatever they want to you, because the only thing the law will check is your registration. They will not validate your paperwork before they take you to jail.
- Makes it a misdemeanor (not a civil infraction) to visually have medical cannabis in public, whether you are using it or not.
- â??Removes the protections from searches for qualifying patients registered with the Department of Health (DOH). Removes the protections from being taken into custody or booked into jail for qualifying patients with valid documentation, but who are not registered with DOH (retains the affirmative defense).â?�
- Disqualifies anyone with ANY kind of felony to work in the cannabis industry, even if itâ??s cannabis-related.

So basically, they will PRIVATIZE MEDICAL CANNABIS IN WASHINGTON STATE and can treat you like a sex offender (and if you don't register you get treated like a criminal.) This isn't all they are proposing, so go educate yourself if you know what's good for you. I don't even live in WA state and I still think this is horrendous.

SB 5073 - 2011-12

Go to the bottom of the page and click on each indented amendment individually. It's a travesty.

Socialize might be a better word.

As usual, the people elected have their own agenda, funny thing is no one seems to remeber who these people are at elections and keep electing them because they recognise the name....Like I said earlier, I believe they will create more criminals than they free with this one.

We all knew this was going to happen. Back to the intiative to legalize. The same thing will happen to the intiative after 2 years, but atleast we can have 2 years of being left alone.

Silly me... I forgot the most important part!

One of the proposed amendments, says you can no longer grow your own medicine. This is the same amendment that says it will be a privatized government business. You will be FORCED to pay their prices if you want to be legal.

SSB 5073 will become law or fail on Tuesday, it's getting a little late for discussion this year:

Sens. Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Jerome Delvin urge the Legislature to pass a medical-marijuana bill.

By Jeanne Kohl-Welles And Jerome Delvin





Related

WASHINGTON easily adopted medical marijuana by initiative in 1998, with 59 percent of the vote. That strong public support remains today. A recent poll found that 84 percent of Washington voters favor "allowing patients with terminal or debilitating conditions to possess and consume marijuana if their doctors recommend it."

Unfortunately, the law is not working as the voters intended. This is why Senate Bill 5073 â?? currently under consideration in the Legislature â?? is so important and needs to be passed by the state House. If it doesn't pass by Tuesday, the bill will die.

This bill would comprehensively license and regulate the production and dispensation of marijuana for medical use, and provide clarity to both law enforcement and patients about how to comply with the law. Patients, law enforcement and communities all will benefit from its passage.

Fixing Washington's medical-marijuana law is a separate issue from the legalization debate. It is important we put our opinions on legalization aside and fix the state's medical-marijuana law now. The current situation â?? a chaotic proliferation of dispensaries, unprotected patients and confusion for law enforcement â?? is simply unworkable.

Under current law, authorized patients and designated providers receive no protection from arrest and prosecution and may only raise the law as a defense in court. This is a costly and inefficient system for law enforcement and puts some patients through incredible hardships. Individuals with terminal and debilitating illnesses are still being arrested and prosecuted for trying to exercise their rights under the law.

SB 5073 would fix this problem by ensuring that qualifying patients won't be taken into custody and providing full protection against arrest for patients who register in the state's secure registry. These changes will also provide law enforcement with bright lines for determining who is a legitimate patient.

Another problem is that there is no system for patients to obtain a safe, secure and reliable source of marijuana for medical use. As a result, patients are forced to take on the difficult and expensive task of growing marijuana for themselves or turning to gray-market dispensaries popping up around the state. This is bad policy and has led to tremendous confusion.

Two recent court cases illustrate the problem. A Spokane man was found guilty on drug charges for operating a medical-marijuana dispensary. A week later, a Yakima man was found not guilty for operating a collective garden at his residence. Further, several cities have set up moratoriums prohibiting dispensaries until the Legislature passes the bill, while others continue to allow them.

SB 5073 will end this confusion by setting up a system of state-licensed and -regulated producers, processors and dispensaries overseen by the departments of Agriculture and Health.

Our state is not alone in addressing this issue. Thirteen other states plus the District of Columbia already have passed laws setting up regulated systems for making marijuana available to qualifying patients for medical purposes. And the federal government has let them do it â?? the Department of Justice directed federal law enforcement not to interfere in medical-marijuana states so long as the state's laws are being followed.

Failure to pass SB 5073 would mean that Washington patients will be forced to live another year in fear that they may be arrested and prosecuted, and still have no reliable way to obtain their medicine. It also means law enforcement and local governments will be faced with unnecessarily difficult choices about allowing gray-market dispensaries.

SB 5073 provides a comprehensive solution for dealing with medical marijuana in our state. Let's pass it now.
Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, chairs the Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee. Sen. Jerome Delvin, R-Richland, is a former officer for the Richland Police Department.

"SSB 5073 will become law or fail on Tuesday, it's getting a little late for discussion this year:"

The "it's too little too late" issue is what got the bill to this point in the first place. Where was the discussion when there was time?!

As a community, medical cannabis patients need to be more proactive! If you're not, this is what will happen to your mmj laws. If this passes, mmj in Washington state will be effectively dismantled, and that's their main goal.

I'm not a patient, I'm just an extremely concerned U.S. citizen. State governments will take over everything the mmj community has worked hard for unless something is done about it!

This bill might "provide clarity" to the law, but I promise it is NOT the clarity you want.

SSB 5073 will fail by Tuesday, the final flurry of amendments including the pizza joke amendment were a signal of that.
Next year something workable may be introduced or something may be sprung on us again, so hopefully we have learned to be watchful
of those who say they wish to help us...
There may well be a flurry of activity with the failure of SSB 5073, not with amendments but with the enforcement of existing law.. ;)

Do you think failure is still an option after today's house vote?

Apparently I may wrong, it PASSED the House today, in amended form and may actually become law,
I can live with it but we'll have to see, it has to go back to the Senate for approval and possible change
before making it to the Governor's desk.

EFFECT: Specifies that the documented relationship between a
qualifying patient and health care professional may either be newly
initiated or existing and in the capacity of either a primary care
provider or a specialist.
Specifies that for qualifying patients in the registry to receive
search, arrest, and prosecution protections and qualifying patients not
in the registry, but with valid documentation, to receive custody and
booking and an affirmative defense at trial, the investigating police
officer must not have observed evidence of specified circumstances,
including an unlicensed cannabis operation, theft of electrical power,
other illegal drugs, numerous short-term visits consistent with
commercial activity, and noncannabis-related crimes.
Removes the prohibition against opening a package of cannabis or
consuming cannabis in a public place in a way that presents a
reasonable risk of another person observing and identifying the
substance. Restores current law that prohibits the use or display of
medical cannabis in a manner or place that is visible by the public and
makes it a class 3 civil infraction instead of a misdemeanor.
Specifies that, prior to January 1, 2016, the maximum number of
licensed dispensers in a county shall be based upon a ratio of 1
dispenser for every 20,000 residents. Provides that, on or after
January 1, 2016, the Secretary of Health may adopt rules to adjust the
method of determining the ratio to consider other factors.
Limits the requirement that a licensed dispenser contact a
qualifying patient's health care provider prior to selling him or her
cannabis, to contacting the health care professional once in a one-year
period.
Adds certain persons supervised by local governments and jails to
exemptions from search, arrest, and prosecution protections and the
affirmative defense for certain persons supervised by correctional
agencies and departments in cases of (1) possession of cannabis for
medical use exceeding legal limits, (2) possession of cannabis for
Official Print - 5 5073-S2.E AMH CODY H2591.2medical use without registration or the presentation of valid
documentation to police, and (3) possession of cannabis for medical use
by nonresidents.
Removes the requirement that local governments coordinate within
each county to meet the licensed dispenser allocations of the
Department of Health (DOH). Authorizes cities and towns to adopt
zoning, business licensing, health and safety, and business tax
requirements related to licensed producers, processors, and dispensers.
Authorizes counties to adopt zoning, business licensing, and health and
safety requirements related to licensed producers, processors, and
dispensers. Specifies that local government zoning authority is not
limited, except that they may not preclude licensed producers,
processors, or dispensers from siting within a jurisdiction.
Requires the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to
conduct a review of the cannabis production and dispensing system in
the event that the federal government takes action to authorize the
medical use of cannabis.
Adds certain persons supervised by local governments and jails to
exemptions from participation in collective gardens and private
unlicensed cannabis production, possession, and transportation for
certain persons supervised by correctional agencies and departments.
Adds certain persons supervised by local governments and jails to
exemptions from licensure as a producer, processor, or dispenser of
cannabis for certain persons supervised by correctional agencies and
departments.
Adds law enforcement officers to the entities that may receive
cannabis from dispensers. Authorizes the sale of cannabis to the
University of Washington or Washington State University for research
purposes as specified elsewhere in the bill.
Applies the requirement that a peace officer make efforts to
determine a person's registration in the DOH registry prior to seeking
a search warrant to only nonvehicle search warrants, rather than all
search warrants.
Eliminates redundant references. Corrects grammatical errors.

5073-S2.E AMH HURS BLAC 073 553 Hurst Floor Pg 12 Ln 11 ADOPTED 04/11/2011

EFFECT: Removes the protections from searches for qualifying
patients registered with the Department of Health (DOH). Removes
the protections from being taken into custody or booked into jail
for qualifying patients with valid documentation, but who are not
registered with DOH (retains the affirmative defense).
Requires that a qualifying patient in the DOH registry not have
converted cannabis for medical use to personal, nonmedical use or
benefit in order to receive arrest and prosecution protections.
Requires that a nonresident not have converted cannabis to personal,
nonmedical use or benefit in order to assert an affirmative defense.
Exempts certain persons who are under the supervision of a
corrections agency or department, including a local government or
jail, from relying upon arrest and prosecution protections and
affirmative defenses related to the medical use of cannabis in a
proceeding regarding supervision revocation or violation.

5073-S2.E AMH KLIP BLAC 092 643 Klippert Floor Pg 19 Ln 19 ADOPTED 04/11/2011

EFFECT: Specifies that hotels and motels are not required to
accommodate the on-site smoking of cannabis for medical use.

5073-S2.E AMH MCCU MORI 081 610 McCune Floor Pg 26 Ln 22 ADOPTED 04/11/2011

EFFECT: Requires licensed dispensers to ensure that no
cannabis or cannabis paraphernalia may be viewed from outside the
facility.

At least both of the amendments stating no collectives were allowed were struck down. That would have been absolutely horrible for patients.

You are right BloddyHeel, I was fooled into thinking it would end today or tomorrow but it was amended so back to the Senate it goes..
Collectives are vital to the patient community and it's a start. I'm just afraid that, being on Medicare, I'm going to be hard pressed to pay
for more office visits, treatment alternatives, and exams. There are other good and bad things in the bill but they can do better for us.. :(

What a mess. Now every patient is going to have to be an attorney to figure out whether they're legal or not. Never fails, voters want something good, government turns it into something bad.

Newish problem:
A local friend was visited today on an odor complaint, they were advised to take care of the problem.
They we're also informed that their growing area was going to have to be permitted and wired by a professional
electrician. I'm sure the building or electrical inspector will be along shortly... I'd like new electrical, it's on my list too, but I'll bet
that's going to cost some $$ if they, we, want to keep growing...

You know, with all the legislative and regulator crap going on, I'm thinking 'what better time to shut down and make some electrical upgrades, has to be done
before I could pass an inspection anyway.' No, my electrical is 'safe', it's just not neat, the way a professional electrician would do it.... ;)

Just another reason for them to come into your house. No thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by david98686

Newish problem:
A local friend was visited today on an odor complaint, they were advised to take care of the problem.
They we're also informed that their growing area was going to have to be permitted and wired by a professional
electrician. I'm sure the building or electrical inspector will be along shortly... I'd like new electrical, it's on my list too, but I'll bet
that's going to cost some $$ if they, we, want to keep growing...

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Check out hiamp electric, Mike will wire for licensed patients and has honest rates. Very confidential licensed and bonded.

Quote:

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Check out hiamp electric, Mike will wire for licensed patients and has honest rates. Very confidential licensed and bonded.

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Great, some people are good with electrical but I'm not up to changing a main panel myself.. :)

Quote:

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Check out hiamp electric, Mike will wire for licensed patients and has honest rates. Very confidential licensed and bonded.

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Hiamp Electric looks like a great company but I'm too far South for them I think, Thanks though!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by david98686

Hiamp Electric looks like a great company but I'm too far South for them I think, Thanks though!

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Don't know where you are but for service changes I have helped him all the way to Whidby Island and as far south as Centralia so far. Mike is a patient and does what he can to help. A service change is usually most of the day anyway. I stole his name years ago to use...LOL he is actually Hi Amp Electric...

This bill failed GG refused to sign it......... this was the most blatant violation of my rights I had ever read.....
did they plan to make every person who is prescribed Oxycontin register with the DOH and have their info given to god knows who because its a controlled substance.. ????

under Federal law I am not required to divulge my medical history to any government agency.... its a violation of my right to privacy.. because you know the police would have full access to the lists... users and growers...

Where is too far south. I offer electrical services all over western wa. state and would be happy to help any mm patient with there electrical needs. My prices are fair and after I'm done you won't have to worry about the electrical safety of your home. go check out my websites HI AMP ELECTRIC Serving Western Washington...Get a free quote or Medical Marijuana in Washington State...Links and Info

Quote:

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Originally Posted by david98686

Hiamp Electric looks like a great company but I'm too far South for them I think, Thanks though!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by nwredneck

This bill failed GG refused to sign it......... this was the most blatant violation of my rights I had ever read.....
did they plan to make every person who is prescribed Oxycontin register with the DOH and have their info given to god knows who because its a controlled substance.. ????

under Federal law I am not required to divulge my medical history to any government agency.... its a violation of my right to privacy.. because you know the police would have full access to the lists... users and growers...

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This is what happens when you have legislatures and governors with no guts. They could have drafted a good bill that could have protected us patients. Instead they captalized on trying to generate revenue and baby sit law enforcement. Glad it won't pass.
The bad thing is that the feds just got permission to help local police bust every dispensary they want and we don't have a governor with the guts to say hands off.

Quote:

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They could have drafted a good bill that could have protected us patients.

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They never had any intention of doing that... it was all about business.
Read the 'discussion' over at Toke of The Town just for fun: Group: Washington Gov. Gregoire 'A Liar' About Dispensaries - Toke of the Town

A lot of the basis for the law was written by a small group of dispensary owners that thought they could capitalize on a properly written law. Thats how all laws are written. And all of these also goes to the fact that no legislature or congress has the legal authority to legalize or outlaw a natural growing plant. But they do it anyway as they do with so many things. They do it because there's nothing to fear, your government does not fear, you the people. We are going to need to reintroduce fear of the people back into the equation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by killerweed420

A lot of the basis for the law was written by a small group of dispensary owners that thought they could capitalize on a properly written law. Thats how all laws are written. And all of these also goes to the fact that no legislature or congress has the legal authority to legalize or outlaw a natural growing plant. But they do it anyway as they do with so many things. They do it because there's nothing to fear, your government does not fear, you the people. We are going to need to reintroduce fear of the people back into the equation.

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I have to agree with you, seems most people are afraid of their Government. Not the way it is supposed to be.

I was looking for a copy of SB5073 as it was signed but can't find it yet. But back to discussion...I think these Reps nned to be remembered at Election time....
By Senators Sheldon, Hargrove, Becker, Stevens
These guys need to go....Seems like a good time to start a list of people that need to no longer be Elected.

5073-S2.E AMS SHEL BUCK 448 Official Print - 1
5073-S2.E AMS SHEL BUCK 448
E2SSB 5073 - S AMD TO H COMM AMD (H2509.E) 394
By Senators Sheldon, Hargrove, Becker, Stevens
OUT OF ORDER 04/21/2011
On page 37, beginning on line 4 of the amendment, after
"dispensers" strike all material through "dispensers" on line 8 and
insert ". Cities and towns may absolutely ban licensed dispensers from
within their jurisdictions"
On page 37, beginning on line 15 of the amendment, after
"dispensers" strike all material through "dispensers" on line 19 and
insert ". Counties may absolutely ban licensed dispensers from within
their jurisdictionsâ?�
EFFECT: Cities, towns, and counties may absolutely ban
licensed dispensers from within their jurisdictions.

And McCune thinks you have to be 21 to be sick....


5073-S2.E AMH MCCU MORI 077
E2SSB 5073 - H AMD TO WAYS COMM AMD (H-2509.2/11) 608
By Representative McCune
WITHDRAWN 04/11/2011
On page 7, line 15 of the striking amendment, after "(a)(i)"
insert "Is twenty-one years of age or older;
(ii)"
Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any
internal references accordingly.
EFFECT: Requires a person to be twenty-one years of age or
older to be a qualifying patient; i.e., a person eligible to use
medical cannabis.

I usually vote for Sheldon because he's an independent, but I will be voting against him in the next election.