This bill would reverse the California Supreme Court's decision in Ross vs. RagingWire. The Court ruled that an employer is allowed to fire an employee solely because of his/her status as a medical cannabis patient. AB 2279 would ensure a medical cannabis patient's right to work and end employment discrimination against patients.

This Senate Joint Resolution calls for an end to DEA attacks on California’s medical cannabis patients and providers and further calls on the President and Congress to enact federal legislation to end the raids. If passed, this will be the first time in U.S. history that a state legislature has denounced the DEA’s interference in state laws and tactics used against medical cannabis patients and providers.

The Board of Equalization began requiring the sale of medical cannabis to be taxed in 2005. While dispensaries statewide have begun paying sales tax, several of the state’s oldest dispensaries face bankruptcy and closure due to back taxes owed. This bill would encourage compliance with BOE requirements and protect access to medicine by forgiving back sales tax prior to October 1, 2005.

This bill would prohibit local and state law enforcement from assisting with the federal government in enforcement actions against medical cannabis patients and/or providers.