Legislation Would Grant Medical Marijuana Tax Break for Terminally Ill
A bill (AB 821) introduced in the Assembly aims to grant a tax break for medical marijuana sold to patients with terminal illnesses, the Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert" reports (White, "Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 3/2).
AB 821, by Assembly member Mike Gipson (D-Carson), would create a tax exemption for the medical marijuana that is purchased, stored or consumed by an individual with a terminal illness. However, purchasers would have to present an exemption certificate to the retailer to be exempted from tax on the purchase.
Exemption certificates would be available to patients or their primary caregiver "upon satisfactory proof of terminal illness." Specifically, individuals seeking an exemption would be required to provide:
- Written confirmation of a patient's terminal illness by the attending physician; and
- The name of the patient's primary caregiver (AB 821, 2/26).
California Legislature To Consider E-Cigarette Bill
In related news, a new bill (AB 216), by Assembly member Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), would broaden the state's ban on electronic cigarette sales to minors to include devices that are sold without nicotine cartridges, the AP/Sacramento Bee reports (AP/Sacramento Bee, 3/1).
In a statement, Garcia said, "I look forward to working with various stakeholders, including the industry, to protect our children who have become prey to vendors with strategically named, non-nicotine [electronic smoking devices], with fun flavors like 'Kool-Aid' and 'Skittles.'" She added that such products "are dangerous for children and act as a gateway to future tobacco us" (Garcia release, 2/4).
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