Most recent bill actions:
- HB1829: House JUD hearing scheduled on February 12, 2016 @ 2:00PM. (Capitol Rm. 325)
- SB2615: Advanced by Senate CPH/EDU committees.
- SB2179: Deferred by Senate PSM/JDL committees.
Oppose HB1829: Repeals and weakens safeguards at medical marijuana dispensaries
Synopsis: HB1829 reduces or repeals safeguards that were passed with legislation establishing medical marijuana dispensaries. When the legislation went through, marijuana activists assured the public that the system would be safe, that our children would be safe, and that there would be no question that medical marijuana would never find its way to the streets as recreational marijuana.
- Section 2 reduces the penalty for medijuana fraud from a class B felony to a petty misdemeanor.
- Section 3 reduces the penalty for giving medijuana to a minor from a class C felony to a petty misdemeanor.
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Section 4 removes the criminal offense for unauthorized entry into a retail dispensing location.
- Section 5 removes the criminal offense for unauthorized entry into a production center.
- Section 6 removes the penalties for the unauthorized diversion (theft) from a dispensary or production center.
Removal of these safeguards amount to a bait and switch. Public support was secured with assurances that safeguards would be robust. Now that many legislators (and well-connected political elite) stand to make money hand over fist with medical marijuana (“medijuana”) dispensaries, they are weakening or repealing the very same safeguards.
Recommended position: Oppose, the bill repeals or weakens many safeguards that were built into the medical marijuana dispensary system. This bill jeopardizes the safety of our families and our children.
Oppose SB2615 (Ban on sexual-orientation conversion therapy)
Synopsis: SB2615 uses vague language to describe what a “licensed therapist” and what “sexual orientation conversion therapy” mean. Previous attempts to ban the treatment have included any attempts to counsel a sexually-confused individual toward a heterosexual orientation — even if it is the therapeutically correct thing to do. Because of the broad language, this can have grave implications on:
- Clergy, acting in their capacity as religious and spiritual advisors. [1]
- Teachers, especially those in parochial schools. [2]
SB2615 (and HB2179) appear to be cloaked attempts of liberal Democrats to dictate theology to people of faith. Since church/state bars the government dictating doctrine to people of faith, liberal Democrats are inventing other ways to steamroll their agenda into the faith-based community.
Recommended position: Oppose, the broad definition of licensed therapist would include clergy and parochial school teachers and could force counsel/therapy in a manner that is contradictory to their religion or faith.
Oppose HB1675 (Ban on sexual orientation conversion therapy)
Synopsis: HB1675 proposes a ban on sexual (orientation) conversion therapy. Previous versions of the ban would have made it illegal for a therapist to counsel a sexually-confused individual toward a heterosexual orientation. “Licensed therapist” can be construed to include therapy provided by clergy in their professional capacity. [1] Under this interpretation, clergy would be forbidden to offer spiritual and religious counsel to an individual in a manner that is consistent with their faith.
Recommended position: Oppose, the broad definition of licensed therapist would include clergy and could force counsel/therapy in a manner that is contradictory to their religion or faith.
Oppose SB2179 (Decriminalization of drug possession and drug trafficking)
SB2179 goes above and beyond any bill previously heard by the Legislature. While decriminalization [1] of marijuana possession is an issue that liberal Democrats have pushed hard on, SB2179 broadens the scope of their ambitions by decriminalizing the distribution [2] of all drugs.
The bill is unabashedly simple and seeks to reduce both possession of drugs and the distribution of drugs from felonies to civil violations. Rather than being removed from the streets, SB2179 would ensure that crystal meth traffickers would have a quick return to the streets after being slapped on the wrist with a civil violation.
Under SB2179, drug traffickers would be treated as leniently as jaywalkers. If drug users and drug traffickers are tired of being treated like criminals, perhaps they should stop breaking the law.
Advance notice indicates that the committees plan for a large turnout. It is certain that marijuana (and other) advocates of drug use will turn out as a large group to push the measure through.
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