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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... CALIFORNIA California takes first step to regulate medical marijuana Comment By Don Thompson The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Don Thompson The Associated Press Posted Jun. 4, 2015 at 3:43 PM By Don Thompson The Associated Press Posted Jun. 4, 2015 at 3:43 PM » Social News SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California took the first step Thursday to regulate its nearly 20-year-old medical marijuana industry, one that lawmakers said currently resembles something out of the "wild, wild West." AB266 merges what were two competing bills and attempts to set up state regulations that will pass muster with the federal Department of Justice. The measure approved by the Assembly would create the Office of Marijuana Regulation within the governor's office, with help from the departments of Public Health and Food and Agriculture and the Board of Equalization, which would collect licensing fees. Local governments could still license or reject commercial cannabis operations. The bill calls for involvement from other state agencies, including criminal background checks by the state Department of Justice and wastewater standards by the State Water Resources Control Board. It largely leaves it to those offices and agencies to develop standards, licensing and regulations. "There was a reference to the wild West, and that is what this bill is trying to move away from," said Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda. "I think that we can all agree that stronger regulation is needed ... and is long overdue." California was the first state, in 1996, to legalize the sale of marijuana for medical use, but has since fallen behind the rest of the nation, said Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles. Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska have recently legalized recreational pot use to varying degrees. The bill was sent to the Senate on a 50-5 vote, though supporters said they will keep working on the measure during this year's legislative session. It won support from Assemblyman Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, who spent 28 years as a California Highway Patrol officer and said the measure will help "to tighten up some of the abuses that currently exist." But it was opposed by Assemblyman Jim Cooper, D-Elk Grove, who served with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department for 30 years. He said the bill doesn't do enough to regulate marijuana-impaired drivers and keep pot-infused candy and other goodies from children, though Bonta said both will be more highly regulated than they are now. "It's the wild, wild West," Cooper said. "I think we're heading in the wrong direction." By Don Thompson The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Don Thompson The Associated Press Posted Jun. 4, 2015 at 3:43 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501