Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Possible Jail Time for Selling Pot Brownies?

Photo by bochalla via Flickr
US Senator Dianne Feinstein’s bill to increase punishment for marketing drug candy to children passed the Senate last week and is now in the House.
Current law makes it illegal to sell drugs to anyone under the age of 21, but Feinstein goes one step further and wishes to double the punishment -- or triple if the crime is repeated -- for anyone who markets these candy flavored drugs.
But like most laws regarding drugs, the controversy and rebuttal comes in the form of medical marijuana. People are concerned about the legitimate cases where sick persons truly do need their pot brownies.
In her public statements Senator Feinstein focuses mainly on candy flavored methamphetamine (meth) and how their products are designed specifically to attract children and minors, but according to the bill’s descriptions pot brownies would fall under the category of “modified by flavoring”.
The bill states that actual distribution to a minor must be proven in order for punishment to be enforced. But if it is it could result with at least one year in jail.
The most vocal opposition to such a bill is the Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
The group issued a statement saying, “Some medical marijuana users are so sick that they are unable to smoke their medicine and must eat it in baked goods or lozenges,” according to the Raw Story.
But the law does not prohibit a person from baking the pot brownies; it simply doubles the offenses if the product is being sold to minors.
“If you’re not selling drugs to kids, you don’t have anything to worry about,” said Gill Duran, spokesperson for Feinstein, according to Fox News.
The bill also states in a subparagraph that the law will not apply to any offense involving five grams or less of marijuana, according to the article.
This, however, can stir up its own problems with potential subjectivity in how to exactly determine how much marijuana was used in the preparation.
The bill currently sits in the House and has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce committee.
Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy Aaron Houston says he doesn’t think the bill will advance through the House after fighting a similar bill in 2007.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?