The clock is ticking and with six months to go, California and local municipalities are hustling to get the framework for recreational marijuana in place.
In November of last year, voters cast their ballots to approve Proposition 64 making the personal “adult use” of marijuana legal for those 21 and older.
With California being the most populous state in the country to legalize the use of marijuana, approval of Prop 64 makes California the largest market for marijuana and Cannabis products in the U.S.
The City of West Hollywood will host the third-annual Cannabis Education Forum: The Future of Policy, which will bring policy makers and community members together to explore best practices to properly prepare for implementation of the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA), which was passed by the California State Legislature in June 2017 and will govern both medical and adult-use marijuana and become the foundation for regulated cannabis activity in California.
The Cannabis Education Forum will take place on Saturday, August 26, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the City of West Hollywood’s City Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room at West Hollywood Library, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. The family-friendly event, which is smoke-free and THC-free, is open to the public. Tickets are free and are available by visiting www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-cannabis-education-forum-tickets-36841073643.
“As communities across the state prepare for the sale of adult use of marijuana, it is important for West Hollywood residents and businesses to plan for the potential challenges and opportunities within our community,” said Councilmember Lindsey P. Horvath. “This event is an opportunity to meet cannabis advocates and business leaders, to get informed, and to help lead the conversation.”
This year’s program will include Tim Schaefer, Deputy State Treasurer at the Office of California State Treasurer John Chiang, who will provide an update on the Cannabis Banking Working Group, which is comprised of representatives from law enforcement, regulators, banks, taxing authorities, and more. There will also be discussions with business leaders and presentations by future cannabis businesses. Cannabis advocate Bruce M. Margolin will be honored during the event with the inaugural Trailblazer Award in recognition of his 50 years of fighting for cannabis legislative reform.
The City of West Hollywood has been at the forefront of the national discussion about decriminalizing the use of cannabis and the City has a long track record of supporting cannabis use for medicinal purposes. In 1996, the City was an early supporter of California’s Proposition 215, also known as the Medical Use of Marijuana Initiative or the Compassionate Use Act, which was approved by voters in 1996 and allows statewide use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. In 1998, the City approved a Resolution to oppose the Federal government’s efforts to terminate operations of community-based medical marijuana programs. In 2001, the City approved a Resolution to declare West Hollywood a sanctuary for medical cannabis use, cultivation, and distribution.
The third-annual Cannabis Education Forum: The Future of Policy is sponsored by the City of West Hollywood, in conjunction with the Cannabis Education Forum (CEF). CEF has a mission of creating a space where business, medical, and cannabis professionals can have an open and on-the-record discussion about the current state of the cannabis industry with the public at-large.
For more information, please contact Amanda Hyde at (323) 508-4CEF (4233) or at cannabiseducationforum@gmail.com.
For additional information, please call the City of West Hollywood at (323) 848-6460. For people who are deaf or hearing impaired, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.
