Sacramento – Today, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 243, authored by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg), along with AB 266 and SB 643. The three bills, or the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, will give California some of the most comprehensive Medical Marijuana regulations in the nation.
“Since the passage of Proposition 215 in 1996 the industry has operated largely in a shadowy grey area,” said Wood. “With these new guidelines I am hopeful we will begin to see a medical marijuana industry that is safer, and more accountable.”
Today the Assembly and Senate have agreed to move forward on a package that would create a framework for the medical cannabis industry in California.
Assemblyman Wood said, “This package is the end product of countless hours meeting with stakeholders and extensive negotiations with the Governor’s office. I am thrilled that AB 243, which overcame resistance to its groundbreaking definition of cannabis as an agricultural product, and which focuses specifically on the needs of the north coast, will serve as the foundation of the cultivation language in this year’s cannabis package.”
Today Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-North Coast) presented SB 326 on the Assembly floor. The bill authored by Senator Jim Beall extends the funding for Medical Air Transportation through Jan. 1 2020 and mandate the state develop a reliable funding source beyond that.
Assemblyman Wood said, “Given the extreme access to healthcare issues we face across much of my district, in particular in Del Norte and Trinity Counties, these services are critical.”
Sacramento Today – The Senate Environmental Quality Committee voted to pass Assemblymember Jim Wood’s Marijuana Watershed Protection Act (AB 243) by a vote of 5-0.
Assemblyman Wood said, “The progress we have made is very encouraging and I am grateful for all the support we have gathered so far. We now have an opportunity to work out the final wrinkles over summer recess and I think we will have a very strong bill in the final weeks of the legislative session.”
Sacramento Today – Assemblymember Jim Wood presented the Marijuana Watershed Protection Act (AB 243) for the first time following recent amendments that added a funding source to deal with the illegal cultivation of marijuana. In order to help committee members, most of whom have never seen a real live marijuana plant, understand the size and value of medical marijuana farms, Assemblyman Wood brought a live marijuana plant to the committee hearing in the Capitol.
Assemblyman Wood said, “When you look at the amount of money cultivators are making on a single plant (roughly $1,200 - $2,600 per plant) and pair it with how much environmental destruction is taking place on the North Coast, ensuring the industry pays for environmental enforcement and cleanup should be a no brainer.”
AB 243 creates regulations that would ensure cultivation of medical marijuana is done sustainably. The bill also places a $50 fee on each legal plant. The revenue generated from this fee would go to environmental mitigation and restoration, as well as enhanced law enforcements required to assure legitimate cultivation efforts are encouraged and public safety is assured.
The bill unanimously passed Senate Governance and Finance Committee today by a vote of 5-0.
AB 243 will be heard next Senate Environmental Quality Committee on Wednesday next week.
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Elected in 2014, Assemblymember Jim Wood (D- Healdsburg) represents the 2nd Assembly District, which includes all of Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt and Mendocino counties, plus northern and coastal Sonoma County, including the northern half of Santa Rosa.
Sacramento today – Assemblyman Wood’s landmark Medical Marijuana Bill, The Marijuana Watershed Protection Act (AB 243), was passed by the Assembly today and now moves on to the State Senate. The passage of AB 243 marks the first medical marijuana bill this year that made it to the next house – State Senate.
Assemblyman Wood said, “The cultivation and sale of medical cannabis in my district isn’t just the elephant in the room, it’s the whole house. My district is also one of the most environmentally conscious regions in the state and we must continue fighting to protect it. That’s what AB 243 is all about, ensuring cannabis cultivation and cultivators are respecting the environment and protecting our natural resources.”
Sacramento – Assemblyman Wood’s package of healthcare bills moves on to the Senate today following votes by the State Assembly.
“As a healthcare provider myself I am acutely aware of the access to healthcare challenges we face in rural areas and I am committed to making a change” Wood said. “Legacy issues like access to healthcare take time to make right. There simply is no magic bullet or home run to be had; they require persistence and a whole bunch of base-hits.”
Sacramento – Assemblyman Jim Wood’s “Small-town Grant Bill” unanimously passed the Assembly and moves on to the Senate.
AB 325 broadens access to millions of federal dollars for small counties and towns to address job creation, affordable housing, small business stimulus, and social service needs.
“Small California towns deserve a win, and this is a big step in the right direction,” said Wood. “I am really excited to see this bill earn so much support from both sides of the aisle.”
(Sacramento, CA) – Key legislation authored by Assemblyman Jim Wood cleared an important hurdle today. The powerful Assembly Appropriations committee approved all but one of Dr. Wood’s priority legislation to help the Second Assembly District, including AB 243, the Marijuana Watershed Protection Act.
Assemblyman Wood said, “I am grateful to have the broad support of my colleagues on these bills that we have worked so hard on. My bills this year focus specifically on issues that will have a direct impact on the Second Assembly District including: increasing accessibility to mental health services, increasing access to broadband, holding state agencies accountable, and addressing the environmental impacts of medical marijuana. There is still a long way to go, but this is a major milestone in the legislative process, and as a first year member I am grateful to have gathered so much support for issues that are so important to our communities.”
(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblymember Jim Wood (D- Healdsburg) issued the following statement today regarding Governor Brown’s May Budget Revise:
“My Assembly Colleagues and I have made it clear to the Governor that California needs to re-establish its commitment to the future of our state. During California’s fiscal crisis we did a huge disservice to our children and the future of our economy by making big cuts to our education system. The “May Revise” released by Governor Brown’s office today is a good first step towards correcting those mistakes. The Governor’s emphasis on education from early childhood through higher-ed. provides a much needed lift for future generations of Californians.”
