Staff Report of the Week: Cannabis Emergency Renewed in City of Oakland

Each week, Louis Dettorre will provide the PublicCEO Staff Report of the Week. Nominate yourself or a colleague by e-mailing ldettorre@publicCEO.com This e-mail address is being Protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The City Council of Oakland passed a resolution on February 12^th stating the need to ensure that patients have access to a safe and affordable supply of medical grade marijuana and cannabis products.

In November 5, 1996, California voters passed Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, while Oakland residents passed the same measure by a vote of 79.3 percent.

The staff report states that during this same year the Council passed a Resolution, number 72516 which supported the activities of the Oakland Cannabis Buyers Cooperative. It read that the city’s policy toward investigating and arresting individuals involved with medical marijuana “shall” be low priority.

The City’s policy is more concerned with ensuring that safe and affordable supplies of marijuana and cannabis products are available for seriously ill Oakland residents. The Cannabis Buyers’ Cooperative acts as the City’s agent administering the program, while physicians are tasked with recommending patients for treatment.

On February 12^th the Council claimed that the threat of criminal prosecution, imprisonment, fines and forfeiture of assets is threatening the supply of medical cannabis to persons who are in desperate need because of their illnesses.

Furthermore the report renews the public health emergency in Oakland with respect to access to an affordable and safe supply of medical cannabis. The Council urges the federal government to end any and all actions that pose obstacles to access to cannabis for Oakland residents whose physicians have determined that their health will benefit from the use.

Copies of this resolution were forwarded to Senators Boxer and Feinstein, Congresswoman Lee, and the President of the United States urging federal policy-makers urging them to dismiss current lawsuits against California cannabis buyers’ clubs and cooperatives.

Each week, Louis Dettorre will provide the PublicCEO Staff Report of the Week. Nominate yourself or a colleague by e-mailing ldettorre@publicCEO.com This e-mail address is being Protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.