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Cal NORML Candidate Endorsements – November 2024 Election

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 endorsed by Cal NORML. Other candidates may be added as we gather more information.

In Cal NORML’s 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.…

Cannabis Voting Records for California Legislators – 2023/24

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 those who sponsored pro-cannabis bills. 

Also see NORML’s Smoke the Vote Guide to Officeholders and Candidates, and Cal NORML’s guide to key California races, local races, and ballot measures. …

An image featuring a cloud shaped like a cannabis leaf in a blue sky. Above, the text reads "California NORML SMOKE THE VOTE." Below, it states "NOVEMBER 2024" and "CaNORML.org/vote2024. Check out the California Voters Guide for more on cannabis candidates and measures. CA Norml

2024 California Election Results For Cannabis Candidates & Measures

An image featuring a cloud shaped like a cannabis leaf in a blue sky. Above, the text reads "California NORML SMOKE THE VOTE." Below, it states "NOVEMBER 2024" and "CaNORML.org/vote2024. Check out the California Voters Guide for more on cannabis candidates and measures. CA Norml

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 membership​ or donation.​ Read more about Cal NORML.​

Read about all federal and state races, candidates’ voting records, and more at National NORML’s Smoke the Vote Guide.

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A lively café with lush greenery hanging from the ceiling and walls. People are engaged in conversation, while others are seated at tables with food and drinks. The atmosphere is cozy and vibrant, mixing rustic décor and comfortable seating—a true haven reminiscent of a cannabis café bill envisioning community spaces. CA Norml

Cal NORML-Sponsored Cannabis Café Bill Becomes Law

A lively café with lush greenery hanging from the ceiling and walls. People are engaged in conversation, while others are seated at tables with food and drinks. The atmosphere is cozy and vibrant, mixing rustic décor and comfortable seating—a true haven reminiscent of a cannabis café bill envisioning community spaces. CA Norml

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. Also see our Local Activist Toolkit. 

9/30/24 – In a strong showing of support for the California cannabis industry and legal consumers, Governor Newsom has signed into law the Cal NORML-sponsored cannabis café bill AB 1775 (Haney), to allow licensed cannabis lounges to sell non-alcoholic food and drinks, as well as tickets to onsite concerts, with local government approval. 

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A lively café with lush greenery hanging from the ceiling and walls. People are engaged in conversation, while others are seated at tables with food and drinks. The atmosphere is cozy and vibrant, mixing rustic décor and comfortable seating—a true haven reminiscent of a cannabis café bill envisioning community spaces. CA Norml

Cal NORML-sponsored Cannabis Café Bill on Governor’s Desk

A lively café with lush greenery hanging from the ceiling and walls. People are engaged in conversation, while others are seated at tables with food and drinks. The atmosphere is cozy and vibrant, mixing rustic décor and comfortable seating—a true haven depicting a cannabis café bill envisioning community spaces. CA NORML
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 to all who took action! 

Also see:
Hollywood actor Woody Harrelson urges Governor to sign bill for California’s cannabis cafes

Whoopi Goldberg Urges Governor to Sign Bill for California’s Cannabis Cafes

Comedian and cannabis entrepreneur Bill Maher has now joined Woody Harrelson and Whoopi Goldberg​ asking for Newsom to sign the bill.…

Gov. Newsom speaks at a press conference announcing emergency regulations on hemp products in California.

Cal NORML Asks For Change in CDPH Hemp Regulations to Allow Non-Intoxicating Medicinal Hemp Products

In a letter to the California Office of Administrative Law and Department of Public Health, Cal NORML has asked that Gov. Newsom’s proposed emergency regulations banning the sale of hemp products be modified to allow continued sale of non-intoxicating hemp CBD extracts that are widely used by medical patients in California.

The letter does not take issue with the regulations’ intent to block the sale of hemp products with intoxicating levels of THC in liquor stores, gas stations, smoke shops and convenience outlets, often with inadequate labeling and in a manner accessible to minors.…

Sacramento Capitol with leaf cloud

Patient Compassion Programs, Cannabis Cafés, and Tax Reform Among Cannabis Bills Signed into Law in 2024

Sacramento Capitol with leaf cloudCal NORML supporters have sent over 2500 letters in support of (or opposed to) cannabis bills in California this year, and our annual Lobby Day in May brought citizen lobbyists from across the state to meet with their lawmakers. Please support Cal NORML with a personal or business membership to help us to continue advancing cannabis consumers’ rights in California!

UPDATED 9/30/2024

Several bills that Cal NORML has sponsored or supported have passed through the legislature and have been signed into law. 

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A diverse group of people stand in a lobby, some holding papers. At the center, a woman in a red pantsuit smiles. One person uses a wheelchair. The environment appears formal, with chandeliers and carpeted flooring, suggesting an official or celebratory event perhaps related to Compassion Programs. CA Norml

CANNABIS COMPASSION PROGRAMS AND TAXATION BILLS SIGNED, FARMER’S MARKET BILL VETOED BY GOVERNOR

A diverse group of people stand in a lobby, some holding papers. At the center, a woman in a red pantsuit smiles. One person uses a wheelchair. The environment appears formal, with chandeliers and carpeted flooring, suggesting an official or celebratory event perhaps related to Compassion Programs. CA NormlGOVERNOR SIGNS CANNABIS COMPASSION BILL

Governor Newsom has signed AB 2555, the cannabis compassion bill, as part of a package of bills supporting veterans in California.

The high cost of medical cannabis, particularly its taxation, has made it impossible for many patients who are financially challenged to obtain a sufficient and steady supply of their medicine.

SB 34 (Weiner, 2019), exempted cannabis donated to financially challenged patients from taxation. Provisions of that law will expire on March of 2025, and must be renewed, in order to continue to supply needy patients with cannabis.…

Image of a man with long hair and glasses, wearing a suit and smiling. Text reads "20th Emerald Cup," "R. Keith Stroup, Esq., Founder of NORML," "Lifetime Achievement Award Winner." Bottom text states he is a Washington, DC attorney who founded NORML in 1970. An array of glass trophies is displayed in the lower right corner at the prestigious Emerald Cup CA Norml

Emerald Cup Honors NORML Founder Keith Stroup with Lifetime Achievement Award on 60th Anniversary of First Pot Protest

Please support NORML’s work by donating to our
60th Anniversary – Keith Stroup Celebration fund

Photo of Keith Stroup

OAKLAND – The Emerald Cup will celebrate its 20th anniversary in Oakland by conferring its Lifetime Achievement Award to NORML founder Keith Stroup, sixty years after the world’s first marijuana freedom protest in San Francisco started a worldwide movement to end cannabis prohibition.

EGGEMIER’S “PUFF IN” SPARKS MARIJUANA REFORM IN U.S.

On August 16th, 1964, a lone crusader named Lowell Eggemeier marched into the San Francisco Hall of Justice, fired up a joint, and puffed it in the presence of the police inspector.…

A large cannabis bud sits on a white plate, adorned with a blue ribbon award attached to it. A small flag with the text "TRY ME" is planted in the bud, suggesting it is a winning or recommended strain from the California State Fair. The background is plain beige. CA Norml

California State Fair Allows Sales and Consumption of Cannabis For the First Time

A cashier hands a paper bag that reads "HIGH FROM California" to a customer across the counter. The customer prepares to pay with cash. Another employee works on a computer in the background, managing cannabis sales and consumption data. The store has a buzz reminiscent of the California State Fair. CA Norml

UPDATED August 4, 2024 – By all measures, the first-ever cannabis consumption space at the CA State Fair was a huge success, and augurs well for seeing more of such events and spaces in California.

AdWeek magazine reported that more than 100,000 people visited the cannabis exhibit, which this year included the opportunity to purchase and enjoy products from California’s cannabis farmers.

Overall attendance at the 17-day California State Fair was up 10% this year over 2023, even though the Fair suffered through 11 days of triple-digit temperatures.…