Assemblyman Jim Wood's proposed cannabis excise tax AB 2243 won a major victory today passing the Assembly with 60 votes. Any new tax in California requires the support of 2/3 of each house (54 votes in the Assembly) necessitating support from both Democrats and Republicans.

Assemblyman Wood said, “I have worked from day one to ensure our rural communities have the resources we need to prevent, and cleanup the environmental catastrophe currently underway in our forests and watersheds.  This excise tax was part of AB 243 last year and was ultimately pulled at the last minute; this victory today is a huge step forward.”

Sacramento – Today, Assemblyman Jim Wood’s “Cottage Cannabis Farmers Bill” passed the Assembly.  AB 2516 will create a new medical cannabis cultivator license for “micro farmers”.

SACRAMENTO – Today Governor Jerry Brown signed SB2X-7 raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 for the nearly 40 million people living in California. 

Sacramento Today, Assemblyman Jim Wood presented a bill that would ensure landlords have the authority to prohibit tenants from smoking medical cannabis in a rented residence.  AB2300 passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee unanimously 10-0 today.

“This is about protecting families that live in close proximity to others,” said Wood.  “Second hand smoke can be a real problem, especially for families who live in apartments or other multi-family residencies.”

Assemblyman Jim Wood’s proposed excise tax AB 2243 was approved by the Assembly Revenue and Tax Committee today 5-0 with Republicans not voting. The excise tax was originally proposed as part of Wood’s Marijuana Watershed Protection Act last year before ultimately being dropped as part of the agreement that ultimately led to the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act.

Assemblyman Wood said, “An excise tax will ensure the revenue stays in the communities where the cannabis is grown.  Our goal is to create resources to manage the environmental and public safety problems we are battling.”

Sacramento – Today AB 2024, passed the Assembly Health Committee.  The bill would give rural hospitals special privileges to hire doctors in an effort to lure more healthcare providers to California’s rural communities.

Assemblyman Wood said, “We are experiencing a healthcare crisis. Rural California has 1 physician for every 3,500 people, and the average age of that one physician is 60.  It is crucial that we find ways to convince physicians to practice in our small towns.”

Sacramento – The “Rural After-School Program” bill, authored by Assemblyman Jim Wood, passed through the Assembly Education Committee today with a vote of (5-0).  AB 2615 will ensure rural school districts get their fair share of federal after school program funding.

Assemblyman Wood said, “It is essential that all students are provided with safe, social and academic after-school alternatives, and currently rural schools are not getting their fair share.  I am proud to author a bill that will adjust the funding distribution formula to reflect the reality of life in rural communities by providing more financial aid for after-school programs.”   

Sacramento – Today, Assemblyman Jim Wood’s “Cottage Cannabis Farmers” bill passed through the Assembly Agriculture Committee.  AB 2516 will create a new cannabis cultivator license for “micro farmers.”

Assemblyman Wood said, “This is an important measure to support the small farm cannabis growers on the North Coast.  Last year’s Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA) established cultivator licenses and guidelines for a safer, cleaner and more transparent industry.  However, it is not fair to require the small cannabis farmers to adhere to the same standards as larger operations.  The proposed specialty cottage license will allow the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to develop regulations specific to small farmer practices.”