Lower Cannabis Taxes!!

I have been involved in the cannabis industry for 20 years, a long-time patient advocate and organizer with Americans for Safe Access (ASA). I am currently Chair of the Bay Area Safe Access chapter. 

California patients have spent nearly 30 years working with state and local lawmakers and

regulators to facilitate legal cannabis access and bring attention to other important patient priorities. While a number of important reforms have been implemented, many issues remain outstanding ranging from patient rights like employment protections to improved legal access, product safety, accessibility and affordability, as well as the cost and function of the state’s patient program. 

Patients deserve better, they deserve more than what is allowed under legalization, they deserve a medical cannabis program that carves out rights and exemptions for patients using cannabis medically.

Right now the state medical cannabis program only exempts sales tax for patients that have the state MMIC card. Many patients complained the price of cannabis is too high so they turn to the illicit market.

That's why we support lowering taxes. The price is ultimately passed on to consumers including patients. We believe patients should not be taxed for their medicine at all.

Less Taxes Means More Access. Cannabis is essential. The state has declared cannabis an essential medicine.

There should be two separate cannabis programs, one for recreational and one for medical. 

There's nothing wrong with regulating cannabis like alcohol for adults who want to use recreationally, even though we feel like it should be regulated like an medicine as well.

I hope you will support our efforts to increase safe and affordable access for patients who are in need.