Bay Area works to meet new state rules ... Counties prepare for legalization ... Richmond wants to be cannabis hub ... Find out where the most pot is consumed ... and more.
LEGALIZATION & LEGISLATION
Bay Area works to meet new state rules // KQED
Oakland and San Francisco are both striving to meet new state rules of the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act and the 17 different license types it requires, covering dispensaries, manufacturing, cultivation, transportation, distribution and testing. And more are on the way.
Santa Rosa Mayor joins marijuana policy subcommittee // Press Democrat
The vacancy came about in part because of a potential conflict of interest with a committee member who works at a cannabis-focused law firm.
Nevada County overrides “the will of the people” // Sac Bee
“Nevada County residents roundly voted down a supervisors' ban on outdoor marijuana farms in June 2016. Now, pot advocates say a new growing plan from supervisors violates the will of voters.”
Public input sought in Sonoma County // Press Democrat
Town hall meetings will help Sonoma County create “seed to sale” regulations of cannabis. Major considerations already identified are noise, public safety, odor and environmental impacts. The public is invited to contribute other topics, and to comment on those listed.
ELECTION
Second doctors’ group endorses Prop. 64 // L.A. Weekly
“[T]he California Academy of Preventive Medicine (CAPM) became the second statewide physicians group to endorse the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, also known as Proposition 64,” calling it “a thoughtful, comprehensive measure based on sound, evidence-based science that will protect public health and fund vital health programs for California’s youth."
Two Bay Area cities will consider cannabis taxes // East Bay Times
“[T]he Hayward City Council agreed unanimously to let voters decide whether to add a tax of up to 15 percent tax on gross medical and recreational cannabis sales if Proposition 64 passes. ... The Hayward council's decision came just one day after San Leandro leaders voted to send a marijuana business tax measure to voters.”
Legalization is “inevitable,” says California Attorney General // abc10, Sacramento
Kamala Harris, State Attorney General, and U.S. Senate candidate, has to stay neutral on topics while she’s at work. But she told a reporter at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia this week that marijuana legalization is inevitable. She has previously said that she will work to reschedule marijuana federally if she wins a seat in the Senate.
BUSINESS
Richmond moving ahead with marijuana plans // KTVU
“Richmond has begun accepting applications for permits to grow or manufacture medical marijuana within city limits who meet strict guidelines.”
Non-organic gardening products removed from sale // East Bay Express
“Humboldt Roots products are being pulled from shelves in Oregon after a Washington lab found they contained levels of unlabeled active pesticide.” Names of the 14 products are listed in this story.
HEALTH
Second-hand pot smoke lingers in lungs // UCSF
Citing “an underestimation of how harmful marijuana smoke is” researchers at the University of California San Francisco have determined that even “one minute of exposure to marijuana [second-hand smoke] still significantly affected [lung dilation] 90 minutes after the initial exposure.”
EVENT
KALW’s 75th Anniversary concert // KALW
What do Kronos Quartet and Bruce Cockburn have to do with cannabis? I’m not sure, but they’re performing next Thursday at a benefit concert in San Francisco for KALW Radio. And if not for KALW’s support of local news and information, you wouldn’t be reading this.
Come celebrate the station’s 75 years of broadcasting on August 4 at the Nourse Theater in San Francisco. Find all the details by clicking on the headline above.
IN OTHER NEWS….
Bay Area tops national marijuana usage // Washington Post
“Over 15 percent of San Francisco residents age 12 and over use marijuana monthly or more, the highest rate in the country.” That’s nearly double the national average.
[New content is generally posted on Friday.]
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