Ellen Komp 
November 19, 2024 – Following a two-year process during which the Sacramento Office of Cannabis Management met with public officials and lounge owners across the state, surveyed interested parties, and took scientific testimony to develop a pilot ordinance allowing for cannabis consumption lounges in the city, the Sacramento city council today voted 5-4 to allow …
In a victory for cannabis consumers, the Oakland City Council on Tuesday, November 12 voted to exempt cannabis from a proposed total ban on residential smoking and vaping in multi-unit dwellings, including condos. The vote was 6-0 with 2 abstentions. The cannabis exemption was strongly opposed by the state’s powerful anti-smoking lobby, richly funded by …
NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, has published a Fact Sheet on CHS (Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome) , in the wake of reports of increasing prevelance of the condition. Researched and written by California NORML director Dale Gieringer, the Fact Sheet says that CHS typically occurs in subjects who chronically consume large doses of THC …
October 30, 2024 – A new report on high-potency cannabis by the California Department of Public Health raises important concerns for the cannabis community. The report blames high-potency products for a rising incidence of cannabis use disorder (habitual overuse), cannabis psychosis, hyperemesis syndrome, emergency room visits, and frequent use by youth under 21. The report …
ACTION ALERT On Tuesday, November 12 the Oakland City Council will vote on a nonsmoking ordinance. The proposed ordinance would ban smoking or vaping of tobacco or cannabis at outdoor bars in the city, and also ban smoking/vaping in multiunit apartment dwellings with (as written) an exemption for cannabis. The Council will consider two options: …
Cal NORML has compiled votings records of California legislators on cannabis bills in the 2023/24 session. Based on these, other past records, and responses to our candidate questionnaires, we have assigned candidates grades at the NORML Smoke the Vote Guide. Below are candidates who, because of their past record and/or stance on cannabis reform, are …
Cal NORML has compiled the voting records of California’s legislators on key cannabis bills in 2023 and 2024, assigning grades based on weighted scores for their votes. Lawmakers with the worst voting records are in our “Hall of Shame” (designed in red); our “Honor Roll” (in green) is for legislators with the best records, and/or …
In our 2023 Membership Survey, 47% of respondents said their vote is “Always” strongly influenced by a candidate’s position on marijuana, and another 34% said it “Usually” is. Also, 63% said they consulted our 2022 voter guide. If you appreciate getting voting information from Cal NORML, please consider supporting us with a personal or business …
There’s been much enthusiasm about the new law, which will take effect on January 1, 2025. It’s a good time for supporters to join Cal NORML and get involved with local NORML chapters to ensure that local governments will allow cannabis lounges. Cal NORML has been tracking cannabis lounges and hopes to see more open. …
UPDATE September 30, 2024 – Governor Newsom has signed the California NORML-sponsored “cannabis café” bill to allow California cannabis lounges to sell food and event tickets. It will take effect on January 1, 2025. Cal NORML supporters sent in over 700 letters of support on the bill, nearly 200 of them to the Governor. Thanks …