Internet Explorer 11 is not supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

In San Jose, You Can Get Free Weed for Voting

The Silicon Valley Cannabis Coalition will be providing free weed to members who vote in the Tuesday election. The coalition said it will announce a list of clubs participating in the "Weed for Votes" program Monday; members must show proof with an "I Voted" sticker or ballot stub.

By Mark Gomez

Voters with medical marijuana cards can get more than just an "I Voted" sticker after casting their ballots on Tuesday.

The Silicon Valley Cannabis Coalition will be providing free weed to members who vote in the Tuesday election. The coalition said it will announce a list of clubs participating in the "Weed for Votes" program Monday; members must show proof with an "I Voted" sticker or ballot stub.

"We have a huge opportunity to make a large impact in who runs San Jose," John Lee, director of the coalition, said in a statement. "Although we may not have regulations on the June ballot, insuring the right politicians are elected is even more important."

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voter's Office referred questions on the legality of the offer to District Attorney Jeff Rosen's office.

In a brief statement, Rosen's office said the offer itself does not appear to violate state election law, which prohibits trying to influence voters with an offer of "money, gift, loan, or other valuable consideration, office, place, or employment."

However, depending on how the offer is administrated, it still could violate California law, according to the statement, and possibly federal law.

But the U.S. Attorney's Office had no comment when asked about the free pot offer.

The pot coalition is posting on its website recommendations for the various races in Santa Clara County, including mayor of San Jose, open City Council seats and county sheriff.

Shannon Bushey, the Registrar of Voters in Santa Clara County, referred questions on the legality of the pot giveaway to the District Attorney's Office.

The free weed effort comes as the San Jose City Council considers new regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries. The new slate of rules includes distance regulations: Dispensaries must be at least 1,000 feet away from schools, day care centers, churches, recreation centers, parks, libraries and other collectives; 500 feet from rehab centers and 150 feet from homes.

Other requirements do not allow collectives to work together to expand product lines, prohibit concentrated cannabis and mandate that all product must be grown by the dispensary at a site within San Jose.

In a statement issued by Dave Hodges, founder of the All American Cannabis Club, the coalition said it asked the city to establish a commission to aid in regulating medical marijuana businesses.




(c)2014 the San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.)

Special Projects