Prime sponsors: Representative Matt Gray (D-District 33), Senator Julie Gonzales (D-District 34) Summary: Under current law, a physician is required to conduct an in-person physical examination of a person prior to certifying that the person would benefit from medical marijuana. The bill permits a physician to treat, counsel, and conduct appropriate personal physical examinations, in person or remotely via telephone or video conference, to establish a bona fide physician-patient relationship with a patient seeking a medical marijuana card.
Retail marijuana stores are now prohibited from selling retail marijuana and retail marijuana products online and to a person not physically present in the retail marijuana store s licensed premises. The bill would repeal this prohibition.
Artists, venues and crew members have been clamoring for support since the live-entertainment industry was shut down by the government in March to slow the spread of COVID-19. Federal, state and local government agencies and the private sector have offered some aid, but not enough to match the need, and many metro area organizations risk closing altogether in 2021, according to a recent Scientific and Cultural Facilities District study.
Now the state is stepping up to help the cultural sector until the federal government which has been mired in partisan gridlock and lacking a comprehensive executive strategy can pass a relief bill.