We are delighted we finally appear to making progress with reconciling the 2015 Medical Marijuana Regulation Safety Act, and the 2016 AUMA Proposition 64. This time, Gov. Brown is drawing a clearer line between the two marijuana industries. We agree this is a counter to any future federal interference. In simplified form for sake of brevity, here are Gov. Jerry’s main thoughts.
- The Teamsters Union proposal is set aside in favor of multiple licensing
- Hence businesses can apply to grow, manufacture, distribute, and sell
- However testing facilities will not be considered for these other licenses
- And medical and marijuana businesses may not operate on same premises
While these are the main thrusts to the draft language, could the devil lie in the detail as contained in California Norml’s more comprehensive piece? It remains to be seen what consumers are going to make of this, and how powerfully business, political and union interests lobby for or against it.
We are inclined to favor support for the broad thrust of the Governor’s thinking. The medical industry will be able to continue, regardless of federal interference in the recreational side. Moreover, under-age Californians will be able to access their medicine in a separate industry that will take some sting out of opposition.
The Sacramento Bee believes the trailer bill will garner support from members of United Food and Commercial Workers Western States Council, affiliates of the California Cannabis Industry Association, and supporters of the California Cannabis Manufacturers Association too. It has the CCIA policy director saying, “It seems like they kept about 99 percent of Proposition 64, but the fight is not done yet” (to preserve the proposition).
However, Sacramento Bee reports a lobbyist for the Teamsters claiming they are going to oppose multiple licenses. “We’re going to fight that part of it really hard,” Barry Broad says. “It raises really significant anti-trust issues that we don’t think are accounted for.” This could be the point where the parties reach a stalemate.
The Teamsters Union says it is America’s strongest and most diverse union, although it originated as a merger between two driver associations. It has continuously supported the 2015 Medical Marijuana principle of separate growers, manufacturers, distributers, and sellers, with independent truckers delivering between them. Their rationale is this is the only way to prevent a single body controlling the entire industry.