MMJ 05.28.15: The Government Connection

I was wondering how our U.S. Senators feel about marijuana. I haven’t heard. – Jeff

I’m glad you asked. It is not too early to start discussing the 2016 election. As it stands now, the Democratic field has two main challengers, with U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Garden Grove, recently throwing her hat into the ring against California Attorney General Kamala Harris. In 2013, Sanchez told CNN, “It would be a good pilot program to see how regulation of marijuana might happen in California since the… majority of Californians believe that should happen.” Last week, Harris told the Annual Convention of California Democrats that “The War on Drugs has failed” and “Now is the time to end the federal ban on marijuana.” But she still giggles every time she mentions marijuana. Either would be better than Dianne Feinstein, though. She hates weed.

I would love to tell my California representative to support medical marijuana. Is there a way I can do that? – Alley Oop

Yes! Americans for Safe Access are hosting a two-day lobbying event in Sacramento June 14-15. There will be training, education and direct lobbying of elected reps by concerned citizens. It is my understanding that there are 13 bills dealing with medical marijuana scurrying around the capitol, so you may want to learn about what’s going on. You can get more info at www.safeaccessnow.org/california_citizen_lobby_day_june_2015.

I saw a documentary on a dispensary called WHAM (or something like that). Can you tell me more about them? – Monty Ray

WAMM is hella cool. The Wo/men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana is one of the oldest and most compassionate medical cannabis dispensaries in the state. They have been around for more than 20 years, and they work mainly with the terminally ill. Oh, and they are pretty good at activism: They got raided by the feds in 2002, and two weeks later, the mayor of Santa Cruz and several other city officials stood on the steps of City Hall and handed out medical cannabis to WAMM’s patients. It was glorious. The work they do is inspirational and amazing. The video you mention is La Vie en Verte and it will make you want to start a commune. To learn more about WAMM, check out their website:www.WAMM.org.