As a former Deputy Public Defender in Riverside County, Mr. Donath has always been on the defense side of the law.
Top 100 Trial Attorneys in California 2012-2014, 2008 Trial Attorney of the Year by the Riverside County Public Defender's Office, and dozens of other awards and accolades.
Your lawyer should have a passion for defense, not just a passion for money. Reputation, vigor, and determination go a long way in this business.
As a former Deputy Public Defender in Riverside County, Mr. Donath has always been on the defense side of the law.
Top 100 Trial Attorneys in California 2012-2014, 2008 Trial Attorney of the Year by the Riverside County Public Defender's Office, and dozens of other awards and accolades.
Your lawyer should have a passion for defense, not just a passion for money. Reputation, vigor, and determination go a long way in this business.
Posted in Drug FAQ'S on July 6, 2018
Both medical and recreational marijuana is legal in California, but it remains illegal at a federal level. However, federal lawmakers are in the midst of creating proposals that could ease the conflict between federal and local laws. These proposals, if they pass, could protect both cannabis business owners and consumers throughout the state.
Medical marijuana is legal in 28 states, and recreational marijuana use is currently legal in 8. State law gives Californians the right to smoke marijuana recreationally and lawfully possess up to a certain amount on their person. On the other hand, Californians still face federal prosecution for marijuana possession and can even face a denial of benefits, such as those for subsidized housing.
Businesses who sell marijuana in California face similar hurdles. For example, a person who owns a cannabis business can still legally face federal raids and have trouble accessing basic tax deductions or even banking services. Lastly, public health researchers have a hard time assessing the effects of marijuana laws because it remains federally illegal.
Oregon Democrats Rep. Earl Blumenauer and Sen. Ron Wyden want to change all that with a proposed package of bills, called the “Path To Marijuana Reform.” They introduced the bill recently to both the House and the Senate at the federal level. The proposed set of reforms has several goals:
Proponents of the bill state that reforming federal law represents a much-needed step in bridging the gap between federal statutes and state law and public opinion. States like California realize the benefit of regulating the drug, and advocates hope that echoing this trend on a federal level will lead to benefits for consumers, businesses, and the public at large.
The proposed reform could have several advantages, both to those who use marijuana recreationally and those who sell it. The following are just a few of the benefits:
Remember that the proposed set of laws is still in its infancy. Before becoming law, it must get approval from both the House and the Senate, and the President will have to issue the final approval of the measure. The laws could have significant benefits for both California consumers and retailers of cannabis if the measure passes – but its future is uncertain.