Last week, the California Assembly Committee on Public Safety approved AB 2743, authored by Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D – San Diego).  The bill would make it the policy of state and local law enforcement agencies not to cooperate with the DEA or other federal law enforcement agencies in their attacks on sick and dying medical marijuana patients and their providers.

In 1996, the voters of California enacted Proposition 215, which authorized the use and cultivation of medical marijuana in the state.  More than ten years after the law went into effect, there remain elements of local law enforcement who refuse to recognize the will of the voters. “Medical marijuana patients and providers desire to be in compliance with state and local laws, and take responsible actions to ensure that local governments are aware of their activities and businesses,” said Curtis Notsinneh, DPA’s deputy state director in Sacramento, who testified in support at the hearing.

Yet some local law enforcement groups still feel the need to investigate, raid, and arrest these providers.  In some of the most egregious cases, some of these providers were permitted to operate by local governments, only later to be turned over to the federal government by local law enforcement officials. 

It is time to call on all agencies to respect the will of California voters and stop cooperating with federal attacks on patients and providers. Drug Policy Alliance will continue to work with Marijuana Policy Project, Americans for Safe Access, the ACLU, and public defenders to support this legislation as it progresses.