Ellen Komp

Image of four colorful cart packaging boxes labeled "West Coast Carts" featuring cartoon characters, and a metal cartridge attached to a blue pen-like battery. A small card listing features like "Lab Tested" and "96% THC" is also visible. CA Norml

Cal NORML Health Advisory: Don’t Use Unlicensed Vape Oils

UPDATE 9/7/2019 – The California Dept. of Public Health has put up a website page about Risks of Vaping. 

UPDATE 9/6/2019 – Los Angeles county has reported the first death in California related to the use of e-cigarettes. Officials are holding a press conference this afternoon. 

The Center for Disease Control has announced there have been 450 cases of severe lung disease in the US possibly related to vape oils, including four deaths (in Illinois, Oregon, Indiana and Minnesota). 

“While this investigation is ongoing, consider not using e-cigarette products,” the CDC says.…

A baseball player wearing a red jersey and cap with an "A" logo is pitching. His arm is extended mid-throw, and he holds a baseball in his hand. The background is blurred, focusing on the pitcher, creating a compelling image for Overdose Awareness Day to highlight the importance of addressing opiate use. CA Norml

On Overdose Awareness Day, California Policy Continues to Drive Opiate Use

A baseball player wearing a red jersey and cap with an "A" logo is pitching. His arm is extended mid-throw, and he holds a baseball in his hand. The background is blurred, focusing on the pitcher, creating a compelling image for Overdose Awareness Day to highlight the importance of addressing opiate use. CA NormlToday, on International Overdose Awareness Day, we note with sadness the recent passing of Tyler Skaggs, a 27-year-old pitcher with the LA Angels of Anaheim, who had fentanyl and oxycodone in his system when he died, as well as alcohol.

A new study published in the journal Economic Inquiry found that when state adult-use cannabis laws with legal access to marijuana are in place, the rate of opioid overdoses declines by 20-35%. A second cannabis-related study published in the same journal found that after a medical cannabis dispensary opened in a county, prescription opioid deaths fell locally by approximately 11 percent.…

Poster displaying a cannabis plant silhouette against a vibrant sunset background. The text reads "California NORML" and "Fighting for our rights since 1972, advocating Medical Marijuana." The foreground features detailed cannabis leaves and buds. CA Norml

Cal DOJ Issues Medical Marijuana Guidelines

Poster displaying a cannabis plant silhouette against a vibrant sunset background. The text reads "California NORML" and "Fighting for our rights since 1972, advocating Medical Marijuana." The foreground features detailed cannabis leaves and buds. CA NormlThe California Department of Justice has issued updated Guidelines for the Security and Non-Diversion of Cannabis Grown for Medical Use that are in keeping with the advice Cal NORML has been giving patients and collectives in the state.

The DOJ guidelines give an overview of the state marijuana laws that have passed, starting with Prop. 215 in 1996, which legalized medical cannabis, and covering Prop. 64 in 2016, which legalized recreational adult marijuana. Noting that the federal Cole memorandum was rescinded by AG Jeff Sessions, they state, “medicinal marijuana operators acting in compliance with state laws are protected from federal enforcement under the Joyce/Blumenauer Amendment until its expiration on September 30, 2019.”…

A diverse group of people standing and smiling at the camera, dressed in various business casual and formal attire. One person in the center holds a large leaf, symbolizing the Cal NORML initiative. The plain white background emphasizes each individual in this Employment Rights Campaign photo. CA Norml

Double Your Donation For Cal NORML’s Employment Rights Campaign Through Labor Day

A diverse group of people smile and stand together on a white background. Above them, green text says "Donate to Cal NORML's Employment Rights for Cannabis Consumers Campaign." Below, text says "Double Your Impact: All Donations Will Be Matched Through Labor Day, Sept. 2. CA Norml

August 8, 2019 – Today, California NORML announces a fundraising campaign to support its efforts to protect the employment rights of cannabis consumers in California. All donations made to the campaign through Labor Day (September 2 will be doubled by a matching donor.

Please make a donation today to Cal NORML’s employment rights campaign!

California legalized medical marijuana in 1996, and adult recreational use in 2016, yet Californians can lose job opportunities, or be fired from their jobs, for off-the-clock use of cannabis, even with a recommendation from a doctor.…

An image shows the "Medical Cannabis Access Report Card 2019" for CA, with a B+ grade. Improvements from 2018-2019 are noted, despite challenges like maintaining a well-functioning program and decreased participation. A timeline from 2015 to 2019 displays grades of B or B+. CA Norml

CA Earns Only a B+ on Medical Cannabis Access Report Card

An image shows the "Medical Cannabis Access Report Card 2019" for CA, with a B+ grade. Improvements from 2018-2019 are noted, despite challenges like maintaining a well-functioning program and decreased participation. A timeline from 2015 to 2019 displays grades of B or B+. CA Norml

 

In the yearly Medical Cannabis Access Report Card from Americans for Safe Access, California still has only a B+ Grade.

The report states:

In 2019, medical cannabis cooperatives became illegal under state law, which is a devastating blow to low- or fixed-income patients. The state also released updated guidance on testing and carried out enforcement actions against unlicensed businesses. Twenty-four cities sued California regulators over a rule that allows deliveries in a municipality that banned cannabis businesses; the case is still pending.

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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.

A flyer for CWCBExpo at the Los Angeles Convention Center, September 26-28, 2019. It announces a Cannabis Legal Workshop by Cal NORML on "Cannabis Law: Present & Future" on September 25, 2019, from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Sponsors include Greenbridge Corporate Counsel and Cannabis Law Digest. CA NormlAugust 5, 2019 – For the first time, California NORML is teaming with Cannabis World Congress & Business Expositions this September to present a cutting-edge CLE Legal Workshop for attorneys and other interested parties in conjunction with the fifth annual CWCBExpo event in Los Angeles.…

Cover of "California NORML Guide to Drug Testing" featuring a statue of Lady Justice, balancing a urine sample jar against a jar with a marijuana leaf. The book title appears in yellow text on a blue background, reflecting the fight for legal MJ consumers amidst the California drug test ban movement. CA Norml

California Bans Drug Test Masking Products; Cal NORML Calls for Protection of Legal MJ Consumers

Cover of "California NORML Guide to Drug Testing" featuring a statue of Lady Justice, balancing a urine sample jar against a jar with a marijuana leaf. The book title appears in yellow text on a blue background, reflecting the fight for legal MJ consumers amidst the California drug test ban movement. CA NormlJuly 8, 2019 – Gov. Newsom has signed a little-noticed bill to ban drug-test masking aids such as additives and synthetic urine.  The bill, AB 851 by Jim Cooper (Sacramento), passed quietly and unanimously through both houses with no debate or input from opponents.

Cal NORML  blasted the bill as a gift to the powerful drug testing industry. “Drug tests have never been FDA proven to be safe or effective for preventing drug abuse or judging employment fitness,” says Cal NORML director Dale Gieringer.  

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Cover image of the report titled "Crime in California." The background features a textured blue-green design. The title "CRIME" is prominently displayed in bold white letters, with "IN CALIFORNIA" beneath it in smaller text. The publication year, CA 2018, appears at the bottom. CA Norml

Marijuana Arrests Decline Again in CA in 2018; Hispanics and Blacks continue to be disproportionately arrested

Cover image of the report titled "Crime in California." The background features a textured blue-green design. The title "CRIME" is prominently displayed in bold white letters, with "IN CALIFORNIA" beneath it in smaller text. The publication year, CA 2018, appears at the bottom. CA NormlJuly 5, 2019 – The number of marijuana arrests in California continued to decline toward new lows in 2018 according to data released by the Criminal Justice Statistics Center. The total number of felony arrests was 1,617, down 22% from 2017 and the lowest since the 1950s. Misdemeanor arrests totaled 3,835, down 4% since 2017. Total arrests numbered 5,452, the lowest since 1962.

Whites accounted for 25% of marijuana arrests, Hispanics 44% and blacks 16%.

DUI arrests rose slightly by 2% to 128,053, interrupting a decade-long decline, but still over 40% lower than their peak in 2007.…

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

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 NormlJune 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 alerted supporters in the area about the meeting.

Plumas County residents voted 52% in favor of Prop. 64 to legalize marijuana in California, but the county has banned all commercial marijuana business in their borders.…

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

Several law enforcement officers in "SHERIFF" jackets stand by a truck filled with confiscated marijuana plants. Two soldiers in camo uniforms from the National Guard stand atop the truck, while mountainous terrain and clear blue sky are visible in the background, part of the extensive Anza Raids. CA Norml

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 marijuana from the various alleged illegal grows.

Warrants were served 118 locations and eight people including one Mexican national were arrested for “related crimes,” according to the Riverside Sheriff’s Department.…