California Senate greenlights legislation to prevent cities from banning medical marijuana shipments

Of Jelena Martinovic

California’s Senate committee gave the green light to a bill that would restore voter-created access to medical cannabis by requiring cities to give patients access to purchase medical cannabis by delivery.

Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) passed Senate Bill 1186 by the Senate Governance and Finance Committee 4-1 last week, according to a press release.

Photo by CasarsaGuru/Getty Images

The measure, sponsored by the California Cannabis Industry Association and endorsed by California NORML, now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee for review.

“Medical cannabis is a lifesaver for so many people, and it’s unacceptable that 62% of California cities ban people from actually buying it,” Senator Wiener said. “Everyone needs and deserves access, guaranteed by the California voters who passed Prop 215 nearly 30 years ago. When cities ban the purchase of medicinal cannabis, it denies access and fuels the illicit market. SB 1186 restores access to medicinal cannabis to those who need it.”

What’s in the bill?

The law restores access to medicinal cannabis for those suffering from cancer, HIV/AIDS, chronic pain, arthritis, neurodegenerative diseases and numerous other diseases. Cities must allow access to medicinal cannabis. Cities must also at least authorize the supply of medicinal cannabis.

Additionally, SB 1186 in no way alters cities’ ability to restrict or ban the sale of cannabis use by adults. It merely prevents jurisdictions from banning the sale of medicinal cannabis.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.