Many Medical Marijuana Users Oppose Legalization of Recreational Use

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SACRAMENTO-

Recreational marijuana is thriving in Colorado; officially legal since January. Close behind is Washington, with recreational sales expected to start in July. There’s speculation that California is next.

There’s an assumption those involved in California’s medicinal cannabis fully support recreational legalization, but that’s where some of the biggest opponents are.

“I am a marijuana user, a medical marijuana patient, and I do not support legalization,” said a patient and grower, who asked to remain anonymous.

Sharing his opinion is Taylor, who runs Green Heart Club, a medical marijuana delivery service in Davis.

“A lot of us are concerned about legalization because it could better profit (pharmaceutical companies) than the patients,” he said.

Taylor has seen marijuana make a difference.

“Most of our patients aren’t on some sort of pharmaceutical drug that they were once on before cannabis,” Taylor said.

So why are these medical marijuana supporters are against recreational legalization? There are a few reasons and they all center on money; mainly how big money will profit.

“More regulation potentially, with more opportunity for corporations to get involved,” said Taylor, “The smaller fish are typically who gets hosed by regulation.”

Though, some people in the marijuana industry feel regulation is needed.

“California’s law only says collectives can exist, doesn’t say how it can operate,” said Nate Bradley, executive director of the California Cannabis Industry Association, “It’s the wild west because people can make up their own rules. There are no state requirements and that’s the problem.”

CCIA is working to get recreational legalization on the 2016 ballot. If it passes it could also mean changes to medical marijuana regulations. Taylor is worried delivery companies like his would be shut down; hurting his patients who rely on deliveries. He explained there are a number of reasons why delivery companies like his are needed.

“Could be financial, or a health issue prevent people from leaving the home. We serve veterans and people with disabilities,” Bradley said.

It’s also worth pointing out, under legalization and stricter medical regulations, current patients may not qualify as patients.

“You’re not going to be able to acquire a card, and you’re not going to be able to grow medicinally,” said the grower, “You’re going to clump under recreational use and you’re going to pay the sales tax.”

While that may not seem like a big deal consider medical marijuana sales tax is around 10% and recreational sales tax would be upward of 20%. The price difference could lead to problems.

Bradley said recreational needs to find the right tax to not encourage a black market. “Washington is overly taxed,” he said, “25% at each tier.”

Meanwhile, our anonymous grower thinks recreational sales tax will cause a bigger black market than already exists. “Why would people go to a store and 25, excuse me, pay a proposed 27% sales tax when they can get it from their neighbor?”

It’s a fine balance that’s worth a lot. In the first two months of recreational sales Colorado made over $6 Million in taxes. When you consider Colorado is a fraction of the size of California it’s easy to see why legalization is being seriously considered.

Though it’s that hypocrisy pro-medical anti-recreational users have a problem with.

“For years people have been arrested and done time,” the grower explained, “And now the government has a way to make money it’s okay to sell?”

Though if recreational legalization happens, those in medical cannabis are trying to remain optimistic.

“If it’s legal the fear that goes along with growing it now can subside, and we can grow better cannabis,” said Taylor.

“Until patients don`t have to worry about having their kids taken away, or losing their job they`ll never be treated like an actual patient,” explained Bradley, “That`s what we’re trying to create.”

Recreational marijuana legalization was on the ballot back in 2010 with Proposition 19. It failed with 53.5% of voters saying “No.”

Governor Jerry Brown has said he would wait to see how Colorado and Washington handled their recreational roll outs.

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Many Medical Marijuana Users Oppose Legalization of Recreational Use