SB 5073 Passes Senate 29-20. What Now?

GreenThumbBill

New Member
Cannabis Defense Coalition says: April 16, 2011 at 10:09 am
The medical cannabis bill that passed the Washington State House of Representatives Monday, April 11, is now a ghost of its former self, and is set to dramatically weaken our state’s voter-approved medical cannabis law. For some folks, anything one can paint as a victory to donors helps their bottom line, and for some, adding myriad restrictions to our law is a necessary evil in a long-term political and public opinion strategy. But please be informed that the bill as amended in the state house is, on balance, shockingly horrible for medical cannabis patients in our state.
On the arguably positive side, SB 5073 implements a very limited and licensed dispensary and grower network in Washington State. It promises to provide limited protections to patients who register with the government in a future state-run database run by our Department of Health, whose current director has a history of refusing to implement medical cannabis legislation and of surreptitiously supplanting rules created in the public rule-making process with the will of our governor. It provides an affirmative defense to patients visiting from out of state. It also defines “useable cannabis” and “plant” much more favorably.
THE CURRENT BILL IS BAD FOR DOCTORS:
* Requires an authorizing health care professional to be the primary care provider or a “specialist” — which likely requires specialty certification, which does not exist currently for medical cannabis — in order to authorize the medical use of cannabis. Section 301.
* Places ten new requirements on health care professionals who recommend medical cannabis. Disallows health care professionals from running “medical cannabis only” clinics, or from making any statement on the medical use of cannabis in any advertisement for their practice. Violations would be findings of unprofessional conduct, and the punishments may include per-violation fines of up to $5,000 and license revocation under RCW 18.130.160. Most doctors in our state that currently authorize medical cannabis risk having their livelihood destroyed in doing so. Section 301.
THE CURRENT BILL IS BAD FOR PATIENTS:
* Protections from search and arrest were gutted on the house floor Monday. Patients will not be safe from police terror unless they register in a future government database, which we believe may never be implemented by our Department of Health. Section 402.
* Invalidates all current “lifetime” authorizations. Section 201(32)(b)(i).
* Places additional requirements and limits on “designated provider” documentation. Section 201(32)(b)(iii).
* Codifies in law that state-funded housing programs may disallow the medical use of cannabis. Section 410.
* Disavows the medical necessity common law defense. Washington appellate courts have a “division split” on the medical necessity common law defense, and the bill specifically removes its underlying support for the defense as we wait to see if our supreme court will take up the appeal. Section 102(3).
* Denies the medical cannabis affirmative defense to members of our military. Section 501(5).
* Expressly allows DOC or any other correctional authority to disallow the medical use of cannabis. Sections 102(4), 201(26)(b), 803(3), 1105.
* Expressly allows Washington State hotels and motels to refuse to accommodate medical cannabis patients. Section 501(4).
* Makes “tougher” the existing restrictions against driving “under the influence” of medical cannabis. Section 501(8).
* Provides immunity to law enforcement and all other state actors who violate the privacy of the future state-run registry. Section 1101.
THE CURRENT BILL IS BAD FOR DISPENSARIES:
* Removes the affirmative defense and legal underpinning for all currently operating dispensaries. Section 201(6)(d).
* Requires currently operating dispensaries to notify local authorities of their intent to apply for a future license if they are to be afforded an affirmative defense in court. This notification — or admission of criminal behavior — will likely lead to threats of closure and raids from local authorities. Section 1201.
* Places an “advertising ban” on dispensaries that forbids speech which “promotes or tends to promote the use or abuse of cannabis.” Specifically states that any visual or artistic representation of cannabis is illegal. Each violation is punishable by fines of up to $1,000. Section 802.
* Allows local jurisdictions to adopt zoning, “health and safety,” licensing, and tax requirements on dispensaries. Section 1102.
READ THE BILL:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Amendments/House/5073-S2.E%20AMH%20ENGR%20H2509.E.pdf
Thanks for posting this. The legislature raped and pillaged 5073 to bits! What a fucking bummer! I was really hoping I could move back home. But I guess I'll be staying in CO for a while longer.
 

MomaPug

Active Member
I agree, as it started out it wasn't too bad...but now the way it looks I am glad it won't pass.
 

MomaPug

Active Member
I missed this one from the 13th. Follow the link to see the amendment.

http://cdc.coop/2011_legislation
Rep. Chris Hurst torpedoes SB 5073

UPDATE April 13, 2011 -- SB 5073 passed the House by a vote of 54 to 43 Monday, but not before representatives adopted an amendment from Rep. Christopher Hurst that removes arrest and search protection for authorized patients who choose not to notify the state of their medical treatment decisions and disqualifies parolees and people on probation from any medicinal use of cannabis.

Effects of Rep. Hurst's amendment:

* Removes the protections from searches for qualifying patients registered with the Department of Health (DOH). Removes the protections from being taken into custody or booked into jail for qualifying patients with valid documentation, but who are not registered with DOH (retains the affirmative defense).
* Requires that a qualifying patient in the DOH registry not have converted cannabis for medical use to personal, nonmedical use or benefit in order to receive arrest and prosecution protections.
* Requires that a nonresident not have converted cannabis to personal, nonmedical use or benefit in order to assert an affirmative defense.
* Exempts certain persons who are under the supervision of a corrections agency or department, including a local government or jail, from relying upon arrest and prosecution protections and affirmative defenses related to the medical use of cannabis in a proceeding regarding supervision revocation or violation.

Only one representative, Roger Goodman, spoke in opposition to the amendment.

Chris Hurst hates sick people (WA House debate of amendment 553 to SB 5073) on Vimeo.

The bill will now move on to concurrence, a process whereby a small group of senators and representatives attempt to reconcile the differences between the version of the bill the Senate passed and that which the House passed.
 

ympb

Member
Can you please elaborate with specifics from the bill? I read it and couldn't disagree with you more. I think the version of 5073 that passed the house on 4/11 is the best and most patient/grower friendly MMJ regulation bill to be passed in any state to date.
I think MomaPug answered for me....

It was kinda scetchy as originally written, but better than the current. They raped the original bill. It'll make a lot of criminals out of otherwise law abiding citizens. And gives law enforcment powers they don't deserve or would respect.
 

ympb

Member
Thanks for posting this. The legislature raped and pillaged 5073 to bits! What a fucking bummer! I was really hoping I could move back home. But I guess I'll be staying in CO for a while longer.
Part of the problem is people are listening to the media and the special interest groups that stood to gain from this and not the facts. I'll admit some clarifications are needed, but not through bad knee jerk reaction legislation.
 
I volunteer with sensible thurston....i spent a couple days gathering signatures for the new legalization I-1149 in front of lacey walmart.BTW My physician who recomended Marijuana is also my primary care dr.IMO dr's are already one step ahead...they know whats going on...for christ sakes they are educated!If anybody wants to know how many sigs have been gathered check out sensiblewashington.org
 

NoGutsGrower

Well-Known Member
This is an offense to the first amendment of the US constitution. The state will be sued and the people will foot the bill.

My health care organization will not allow its doctors to recommend medical cannabis and I'm not capable of paying for out of pocket health care. I'd be very surprised if I'm the only one in this situation.
you need to find new health care! I was going to a doctor where his office said no pain meds! I laughed and was out! Why would you want to keep going to a place that makes office policies for your health care? I'm medical in washington and cali! even with this new bill I won't lose my card because I have mine from my doctor that I see for everything. I am also on social security so I couldn't afford out of pocket medical that's why I am seeing a doctor that takes medicare and doesn't have outrageous office policies! I got a permit from THCF before but I didn't like paying to get a permit every year form a guy that didn't really do any medical exam! I think this bill is for the most part great and so does my doctor! yes some might lose their permits but they will have to do what I did and find a doctor that actually helps people not one that hides behind office policies! This seems to me that it is going to be a big step forward for the medical movement! You cant expect it to be like california! In washington there are state run liquor stores and a few private that get watched closely, but in cali liquor is almost half the price and I can go to safeway, costco or any other store like that and pick up a half gallon of grey goose! Washington is going to want more control over it and wants the tax money and wants to make sure it gets all the tax money! A lot of the clubs down here get busted because they are keeping fake books or not paying taxes! Washington want it to actually be regulated and not given out for every condition! In cali you can pretty much walk in to a doctor and get your permit! washington knows that and doesn't want their program to get off to a bad start! I only see it being super strict at first and the depending on how many people try to abuse the law, it lightening up over time! Be glad you still are in a medical state! I hear montana and another state may be losing their medical status!
 
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