A bronze statue of Lady Justice, holding scales and a sword, stands in front of a green background. A wooden judge's gavel and sound block are placed beside the statue, symbolizing law and justice. The scene commemorates the Legal Seminar held in June 2021 by California NORML. CA Norml

Cal NORML 2024 Legal Seminar Now Viewable Online

March 18, 2024January 2, 2024

Learn About New Cannabis Laws Taking Effect in California in 2024, Pending Federal Legislation, and More.

5.25 MCLE Credits

GET ACCESS TO SESSION RECORDINGS

Learn about new California laws affecting cannabis consumers and businesses from top attorneys in the field. California attorneys can earn MCLE credits for attending online.

Cal NORML’s Legal Seminar series is aimed at educating attorneys and the general public about current cannabis laws in California, addressing both individual rights of marijuana users in California and cannabis business law, as well as pending federal action.…

A diverse group of 12 adults stand in a row, facing the camera. They are dressed in a variety of outfits ranging from casual to business attire. One woman is holding a cannabis leaf symbol on her shirt, representing Cal NORML's 2019 accomplishments. The background is plain white. CA Norml

Employers May Not Discriminate Against Californians Due to Off-the-Job or Past Cannabis Use Starting on January 1

January 24, 2024December 18, 2023

Starting on January 1, 2024, most Californians are now protected by a Cal NORML-sponsored bill which states that employers may not refuse to hire, fire, or penalize an employee based on the results of hair or urine tests for marijuana. A second law disallows asking about past marijuana use by prospective employees.

Download a Fact Sheet for Employees

Download a Fact Sheet for Employers

The new law (AB 2188 – GC 12954) prohibits employers from discriminating against a person who has tested positive for non-psychoactive cannabis metabolites in their urine, hair, or bodily fluids.…

A large, diverse group of people posing for a photo in a conference room. A presentation screen behind them reads "California Citizen Lobby Day: Equal Rights, Fair Taxation, Sensible Regulation, May 4, 2023, Sacramento, CA." Everyone is smiling and celebrating the event and their 2023 accomplishments with Cal NORML. CA Norml

Cal NORML 2023 Accomplishments and Plans for 2024

April 18, 2024November 27, 2023

PLEASE SUPPORT CAL NORML IN 2024

Now is the time to build on the progress we made in 2023! Please support Cal NORML with a membership donation. Click Here to Donate or see our Cal NORML store and purchase merchandise.

Giving Tuesday / End of Year Special: Get a Free Gift with Your Cal NORML membership through 12/31/23.

LEGISLATIVE GAINS

Once again this year, Cal NORML and its supporters actively lobbied on 40-50 bills affecting California cannabis consumers and the industry.…

Conozca sus derechos laborales como un consumidor de canabis en California

November 16, 2023November 16, 2023

A partir del 1 de enero de 2024, la mayoría de los californianos estarán protegidos por un proyecto de ley patrocinado por Cal NORML que establece que los empleadores no pueden negarse a contratar, despedir o penalizar a un empleado basándose en los resultados de análisis de marihuana en cabello u orina. Los empleados no pueden verse afectados por el canabis en el trabajo y pueden estar sujetos a un hisopo oral o un análisis de sangre. Los empleados federales y aquellos en el sector de la construcción no están protegidos.

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Know Your Employment Rights As A Cannabis Consumer in California

January 18, 2024October 29, 2023

Starting on January 1, 2024, most Californians are protected by a Cal NORML-sponsored bill which states that employers may not refuse to hire, fire, or penalize an employee based on the results of hair or urine tests for marijuana. Prospective employees are also protected against questions about their past marijuana use. Employees may not be impaired by cannabis on the job, and may be subject to an oral fluid, breath or blood test. Federal employees and those in the construction trades are not protected.

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Medical Marijuana Patients’ Rights in California

June 9, 2026October 28, 2023

Download a Fact Sheet with this information.

A law that took effect on January 1, 2023 (AB 1954 – BPC 2228.5) prohibits physicians and health plans to have policies denying medical treatment to qualified patients with a recommendation to use medical marijuana. The only exception is if a clinical determination is made on a case-by-case basis that a “medically significant” contraindication exists.

The law states, “A physician and surgeon shall not automatically deny treatment or medication to a qualified patient based solely on a positive drug screen for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or report of medical cannabis use without first completing a case-by-case evaluation of the patient that includes, but is not limited to, a determination that the qualified patient’s use of medical cannabis is medically significant* to the treatment or medication.”…

A cup of coffee sits on a white saucer atop a rustic wooden table. The frothy top of the coffee features a leaf design created with green powder, reminiscent of some cannabis lounges. In the background, there is a partially opened notebook and a black smartphone. CA Norml

Blowing Smoke About Cannabis Lounges: Onsite Consumption No Danger to Public Health

December 18, 2023September 29, 2023

DOWNLOAD A FLYER ABOUT CANNABIS CONSUMPTION LOUNGES IN CALIFORNIA.

See a List of Cannabis Consumption Lounges in California.

Also see: Cannabis Consumption Lounges: Mitigating Risks
Information about opening and operating a consumption lounge from Cal NORML board member and attorney Lauren Mendelsohn.

CANNABIS CONSUMPTION SPACES ARE NEEDED IN CALIFORNIA

While it’s legal for adults and medical patients to possess and grow marijuana in California, using it can be a problem. Unlike tobacco or alcohol, cannabis is illegal to consume in any public place – even in edible form. …

A document labeled "CRIMINAL RECORD" with the word "Expungement" written in red sits on a dark desk. Nearby are a pair of glasses, a closed book, and a judge's gavel. The scene signifies steps taken in California for clearing past marijuana crimes from individual records. CA Norml

Clearing of Past Marijuana Crimes Moves Forward Across California

February 14, 2024September 28, 2023

UPDATES

2/11/2024: We would like to hear from people who have benefited—e.g. gotten a job or qualified for education or housing—because their marijuana criminal records have been expunged. A journalist has contacted us who is trying to measure the impact expungement has had. Anonymity guaranteed if requested. Reply here.

10/4/2023: A new report from the Last Prisoner Project gives A grades to only two states, California and Minnesota, judging from their legalization laws and resentencing policies on past marijuana crimes.…

A tall white government building with a domed roof stands against a vibrant blue sky. The sky, dotted with fluffy clouds, including one shaped like a maple leaf, sets the perfect backdrop for Lobby Day. CA Norml

California Cannabis Bills Passed or Introduced in 2023

November 27, 2023September 1, 2023

Please support Cal NORML with a personal or business membership to help us advance cannabis consumers rights in California!

UPDATE 10/8/2023 – Gov. Newsom has signed into law:

• SB 700 (Bradford) Employment discrimination: cannabis use.
The bill by Senator Steven Bradford will bar (most) employers from asking job applicants about their past marijuana use. An exception is made for employers who may ask about an applicant’s conviction record.

The law will take effect on January 1, the same date that the 2022 Cal NORML-sponsored bill AB 2188, ending job discrimination based on urine or hair testing, will also take effect.…

A group of seven individuals stands in front of a "Franchise Tax Board" wall display. The central figure, AG Bonta, speaking at a podium with a seal, is flanked by a diverse group of people in formal attire. An American flag and the California state flag are visible in the background. CA Norml

AG Bonta Announces CAPP Program to Target Illicit Cannabis Operations Administratively with Local Cooperation

August 29, 2023August 29, 2023

AG Bonta addresses the audience from behind a podium during a press conference, speaking into the microphone about cracking down on illicit cannabis operations through the CAPP Program. Others stand in a semi-circle behind him with serious expressions. An American flag and scales of justice symbol are visible in the background. CA Norml

Attorney General Rob Bonta traveled to Fresno to announce the DOJ’s new Cannabis Administrative Prosecutor Program (CAPP) today. The program provides California cities and counties who partner with DOJ legal support to address illegal cannabis activity through administrative enforcement and nuisance abatement.

Unlicensed operations will be given the opportunity to voluntarily shut down before more enforcement in the form of code violation enforcement will take place, Bonta said at a press conference announcing the program. He spoke of the “complex and multifaceted” issue of ongoing illicit cannabis operations in the wake of state legalization.…

Cal NORML Lobby Day 2025

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