Medical marijuana: state regulation and enforcement.

Existing law, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, an initiative measure enacted by the approval of Proposition 215 at the November 6, 1996, statewide general election, authorizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Existing law enacted by the Legislature requires the establishment of a program for the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients so that they may lawfully use marijuana for medical purposes, and requires the establishment of guidelines for the lawful cultivation of marijuana grown for medical use. This bill would enact the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Control Act and would create the Division of Medical Marijuana Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The bill would grant the division all power necessary to, among other things, establish statewide standards for the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, transportation, distribution, and sales of medical marijuana and medical marijuana products and a statewide fee scale in relation to these activities. The bill would require the division to assist in the development of uniform policies for the taxation of medical marijuana businesses and establish a mandatory commercial registration program, as specified, which would include an identification card program. This bill would authorize the division to assess penalties for violation of these provisions. The bill would establish the Medical Marijuana Fund and would require deposit of fees and penalties into distinct accounts within the fund. The bill would continuously appropriate moneys within the fees account to the division for the purposes of administering the program. The bill would require the division to work in conjunction with law enforcement entities throughout the state to implement and enforce the rules and regulations regarding medical marijuana and to take appropriate action against businesses and individuals who fail to comply with the law. The bill would specify that its provisions are severable. The bill would make related findings and declarations. The bill would make certain violations of its provisions a crime, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.