BILL NUMBER: AB 473 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Ammiano FEBRUARY 19, 2013 An act relating to medical cannabis. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 473, as introduced, Ammiano. Medical cannabis: state regulatory structure. Existing law, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, an initiative measure enacted by the approval of Proposition 215 at the November 6, 1996, statewide general election, authorizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Existing law enacted by the Legislature requires the establishment of a program for the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients so that they may lawfully use marijuana for medical purposes, and requires the establishment of guidelines for the lawful cultivation of marijuana grown for medical use. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would, pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, provide a comprehensive state regulatory structure for medical cannabis cultivation, processing, testing, and distribution. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would, pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, provide a comprehensive state regulatory structure for medical cannabis cultivation, processing, testing, and distribution.