Ellen Komp 
UPDATE: The agency adopted the objectionable guidelines in May 2025. No panelists asked questions or had any discussion at a hearing in March on the topic at which Cal NORML testified. Read Cal NORML Director Dale Gieringer’s testimony to the DWC, and an appendix of studies on cannabis and pain. See Deputy Director Ellen Komp’s …
Please donate to Cal NORML to support our advocacy work, as a regular or business member. PLEASE SUPPORT CAL NORML IN 2025 Cal NORML expects to be working harder than ever in 2025 to help fight off an automatic increase in state cannabis excise taxes from 15% to as much as 19%, triggered by a 2022 …
Interested vape companies are invited to sponsor their devices for a study of cannabis vape pen emissions by California NORML. The study will test a variety of vape devices and cartridges to determine how much cannabinoids and harmful smoke toxins they deliver. The study is intended to help provide better consumer information on the safety …
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 …