There were two competing bills in this past session of the state legislature aimed at regulating the state’s medical marijuana industry, which is currently (mis)managed through a messy patchwork of local ordinances. Both bills failed, proving once again the difficulty of bridging the divide between law enforcement, industry professionals and legislators.

But now a statewide nonprofit/political action committee is taking up the challenge, and it’s looking to the local chapter for leadership. California Cannabis Voice Humboldt raised some eyebrows and gained some esteem back in July when it hired political strategist/community organizer/Harbor Commissioner Richard Marks.

In a press release, California Cannabis Voice takes credit for helping to kill Senate Bill 1262 but says California “desperately needs a statewide licensing and regulation framework.” Armed with lobbyists, lawyers and industry insiders, the group hopes to guiding the crafting of that framework.

Here’s a press release:

A bill that would have provided statewide regulation for the cannabis industry [Senate Bill 1262] failed last week, and now California Cannabis Voice (CCV) is taking the lead in tandem with legislators to craft a new bill, with strong support and direction from the CCV Humboldt chapter.

CCV was actively opposed to SB 1262, as it would have created massive blackout zones throughout the state with no provisions for CBD [cannabidiol] access and no protection for cultivators who want to play by the rules. To educate the public about the origins and implications of SB 1262, CCV also created an opposition video ad, highlighting that the bill was written largely by law enforcement bureaucrats.

Representatives from CCV also worked diligently with the Assembly Committee on Appropriations that lead to the bill’s defeat, said Matt Kumin, civil rights attorney and executive director of CCV.

“Now we are gearing up for the next legislative session,” Kumin said. “When the bill was defeated, we were already on the phone talking to people to co-sponsor a bill in the legislature.”

The hours after the bill’s defeat were fast-paced and went well into the night — there was no time to craft a public statement celebrating the bill’s defeat, said Matt Gray, a lobbyist for CCV. California desperately needs a statewide licensing and regulation framework, but SB 1262 was a poison pill, he said. Now that it’s dead, California can create a bill with actual input from the many facets of the industry.

“We know the issues, we know the stakeholders, and we understand what needs to be done,” said Gray, who has coordinated with lawmakers he would like to see carry the legislation next year. “We welcome local government participation in that process.”

About California Cannabis Voice:
The mission of California Cannabis Voice is to identify, educate and unite stakeholders whose lives are impacted by medical cannabis to support the passage of fair and reasonable regulations. By working with stakeholders, even those traditionally opposed to cannabis, a bill can be crafted that fills in the gaps of Proposition 215 and provides a solid foundation for future legislation. Doing so will empower communities and protect business owners and patients. Sign up for the CCV newsletter to keep up to date.