A man speaks at a podium in front of an audience at the CWCB Expo in Los Angeles. The podium, adorned with the CWCB Expo logo and site information, stands before an attentive crowd. An American flag waves in the background as he delves into topics from the Cannabis Legal Workshop hosted by Cal NORML. CA Norml

Cal NORML Cannabis Legal Workshop to Be Held in Los Angeles on September 25

UPDATE August 14 – Just Added! Counsel for the Bureau of Cannabis Control Tamara Colson will join us as our luncheon speaker. Read more and buy tickets to attend the workshop. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Steve Gross at CWCBE. August 5, 2019 – For the first time, California NORML is teaming with Cannabis World Congress …

Read more

A large group of people are seated in a meeting room, facing a panel of individuals at a long table. The panel appears to be conducting a formal meeting regarding the ban on hemp cultivation in Plumas County. An American flag is visible in the corner of the room, and papers and documents are spread out in front of the participants. CA Norml

Plumas County Declines to Ban Hemp Cultivation

June 9, 2019 – A 45-day emergency moratorium on hemp cultivation failed to carry by a narrow vote at a meeting of the in Plumas County Board of Supervisors on June 4. Cal NORML was contacted by members in the county and sent a letter to Supervisors asking them not to pass the moratorium. We also …

Read more

Several sheriffs in green uniforms and hats labeled "SHERIFF" are standing near and on a truck loaded with large green plants. Two individuals in camouflage gear, possibly from the National Guard, are on the truck bed. The scene of these Anza Raids unfolds against a mountainous landscape under a clear sky. CA Norml

National Guard Joins Local, Fed & State Agencies in Anza Raids

June 6, 2019 – Yesterday, multijurisdictional force of more than 700 personnel from the Army National Guard, the FBI, US Drug Enforcement, and numerous other police and government agencies descended on the Anza Valley region in Riverside County at daybreak and worked throughout the day. Police and military helicopters, and trucks pulling trailers were spotted removing …

Read more

A vast field of green hemp plants stretches across rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky. In the background, trees and distant hills create a picturesque landscape, ideal for cultivating high-quality CBD products approved by the FDA. CA Norml

FDA Holds Hearing on CBD as CA Moves Forward on Hemp

About 100 people testified at a public hearing held on May 31 by the FDA “in order to inform the regulatory path forward” on CBD. Manufacturers, researchers, doctors, laboratory representatives, lawyers and advocates (pro and con) were among those who spoke. Speakers expressed concern over the lack of uniformity and purity of available CBD preparations, …

Read more

An infographic displays three circular diagrams against a green background. The diagrams represent data: 834 existing cannabis retailers, 1,195 potential new retailers under AB 1356, and a demand for 3,472 total supportable retailers for adult-use cannabis sales in CA. CA Norml

Report Estimates AB 1356 Could Lead to $2.1 Billion More in Cannabis Sales in CA

UPDATE 5/30 – Assemblyman Ting could not muster the two-thirds vote of the Assembly required to alter the voter-approved initiative to prevent cities and counties from banning pot shops. Read more.  A new report from Applied Development Economics (ADE) in Walnut Creek, CA estimates that the passage of AB 1356, a bill currently before the …

Read more

A bright green sign with a cannabis leaf and the word "OPEN" is displayed in the window of a store. The background shows the interior of the store with various items and posters promoting regulated cannabis, indicative of its presence in local markets. CA Norml

Bill to Open Local Markets for Regulated Cannabis Fails

UPDATE 5/30 – Assemblyman Ting could not muster the two-thirds vote of the Assembly required to alter the voter-approved initiative to prevent cities and counties from banning pot shops. He plans to try again with the bill next year, a representative told the LA Times.  Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, earned more …

Read more

Bar chart showing the percentage of cities and counties that allow storefront retail cannabis (medical or adult use) in states where it is legal. Oregon leads with around 80%, followed by Washington, Nevada, Colorado, and CA, which has the lowest percentage. CA Norml

Study Shows CA Leads “Legal, Not Local” Status of Cannabis

A review of 42 scientific studies conducted by Leafly.com has found that the broad body of published research suggests crime near licensed dispensaries has generally stayed flat or decreased, teen cannabis use in legalization states has fallen since legalization, and property values near cannabis outlets generally are not affected or even rise. Leafly editors David …

Read more

A man stands at a podium with a seal that says "Governor of the State of California." He is wearing a dark suit and tie, speaking into a microphone with his hands gesturing. Discussing statutory changes, the background is a blue curtain, and an American flag is partially visible on the side. CA Norml

Governor Releases Revised State Budget, Statutory Changes Affecting Cannabis in California

Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a revised state budget with several cannabis provisions, according to the budget summary. The revised budget forecasts the state cannabis excise tax will generate $288 million in 2018-19 and $359 million in 2019-20, a reduction of $67 million and $156 million, respectively, from the original Governor’s Budget forecast. It states, …

Read more