Track and trace

Before we get started, I want to mention that we have just lost a great pioneer and activist. Dennis Peron, the “Fairy Godfather” of the medical cannabis movement, passed away last week. He was the impetus behind Prop. 215, and a wonderful, funny and passionate freedom fighter. Rest in peace Dennis. We cannot thank you enough.

Hey Ngaio, I read your column in SN&R every week! I was wondering if you knew of any dispensaries in Sacramento that are selling marijuana bouquets for Valentine’s Day? I want to get my husband something different this year.

—Rose E. Saared

THAT’S A GREAT IDEA!!! You are a very thoughtful partner. I have seen random bud bouquets at pot parties, but I never thought to try and purchase one for a paramour. Looking on the web, I see that Lowell’s in Los Angeles sells a bud bouquet for like 400 bucks. It contains an ounce of weed and looks spectacular. I don’t know of any clubs in NorCal offering a similar deal, but maybe call around or hit up one of those farmers markets and tell them what you want to do. I am sure someone will help you. Have a great and stony Valentine’s Day.

I called several shops for general info. I learned that these cannabis retailers believe they are required to collect and store each customer’s personal identification. I’m wondering why this is done. I can’t find any wordage in the new law that requires this. It’s not done when you buy cigarettes or beer. Why is it done for weed? All that is required is a valid ID showing proof of legal age. I believe these cannabis detailers are misreading the requirements set forth in the law. Can you please show me where in the law this requirement is spelled out?

—Winston Smith

It’s weird, right? Yeah, clubs are keeping track of what you buy. It’s because state law says you can’t possess more than an ounce, plus the new laws require clubs to have a “track and trace” system in place to make sure that people aren’t taking advantage or diverting weed out of state. It’s kinda dumb, but it is the rule. At a recent stakeholders meeting, Sacramento weed czar Joe Devlin also expressed frustration with the system and said he was open to suggestions on how to comply with the law and respect privacy issues. Maybe one of my readers has a good idea on how to handle this. If you do, please send me an email. I think it’s weird that the state needs to know exactly how much weed I buy (I mean, they don’t track alcohol sales), but I am not worried about it. If the feds tried to arrest everyone in California that bought less than an ounce of pot, the courts would grind to a halt. There is safety in numbers. And privacy has been dead for at least 10 years. Good luck ordering your pot in the new world. You could always go back to your friendly neighborhood pot dealer.