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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

April 7 Cal NORML Meeting Addresses Expungement of Past Marijuana Convictions in California

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

Hear a recording of the meeting. 

Our special guest at Cal NORML’s monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 7 at 4 PM (PST) was Alia Toran-Burrell, Associate Program Director, Criminal Justice at Code for America, worked with half of California’s counties to identify cases that qualify for expungement, and developed an app called “Clear My Record” that Californians in some counties can use to find public defenders or legal aid to ensure that their past marijuana convictions are erased or resentenced under AB 1793 (Bonta, 2017). 

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A silver and black handgun lies on a white surface with a small cannabis plant placed in front of it, evoking thoughts of firearm possession in California amidst debates on marijuana use. CA Norml

THE LAW OF MARIJUANA USE AND FIREARM POSSESSION IN CALIFORNIA

A middle-aged man with short gray hair and blue eyes is wearing a dark suit jacket, white dress shirt, and patterned tie. The background, a gradient of blue shades, hints at California law. He is looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. CA NormlJuly 2026 Update Available: What the New US Supreme Court Decision Means for Marijuana Users Who Want to Possess Guns

By C.D. Michel, Attorney at Law

June 2023 – Read the updated post Marijuana Use and Firearms Possession: Are the Times A-Changin? 

March 1, 2021 – Cal NORML receives lots of questions about firearms possession and the changes to California law allowing the recreational use of marijuana. Be careful! Under California law, any use of marijuana triggers a prohibition on firearm ownership and/or possession, despite California state allowing its recreational use.…

A man and a woman smile for a photo in front of a California Highway Patrol banner promoting impaired driving awareness. The banner, resembling a scene from a CHP Report, shows a patrol officer administering a sobriety test to a woman. CA Norml

CHP Impaired Driving Report Released

 

The California Highway Patrol has released its long-awaited report addressing drug-impaired driving, including driving under the influence of cannabis. The report contains numerous recommendations on improving DUI detection and prevention, data collection, public education, etc., but does not recommend adopting per se drug DUI thresholds like those used for alcohol.

The report is the work of the Impaired Driving Task Force (IDTF), in which California NORML and other interest groups participated, that was convened in the wake of the state’s 2016 law legalizing adult use of cannabis.

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A straight road stretches into a bright light, with "2021" and a forward-pointing arrow painted on it. On the right, a yellow road sign with the word "ADVOCACY" stands near dense green foliage under a partly cloudy California sky. CA Norml

Where The Reefer Meets the Road: Taking Local Action in California

A straight road stretches into a bright light, with "2021" and a forward-pointing arrow painted on it. On the right, a yellow road sign with the word "ADVOCACY" stands near dense green foliage under a partly cloudy California sky. CA NormlJoin Cal NORML as we visit with leaders of local NORML chapters in LA, OC, Contra Costa, Inland Empire and San Diego to find out what the issues are on the ground and how activists across California can get involved in marijuana reform efforts at the local level.

Also find out about the national effort for employment rights for cannabis consumers that has begun in NYC, DC, Atlanta, Rochester, and Richmond, VA.

Wednesday, March 3 • 4 PM

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A person is standing at a cash register, holding a few dollar bills in one hand and operating a touch screen with the other. In the background, there is a sign for a loyalty points program and a shelf with various items promoting local businesses. CA Norml

The Cannabis Safe: An Open-Source Fundraising Document for Cannabis Businesses

By David Hua, CEO and Co-Founder of Meadow

A person is standing at a cash register, holding a few dollar bills in one hand and operating a touch screen with the other. In the background, there is a sign for a loyalty points program and a shelf with various items promoting local businesses. CA NormlRaising capital has been a huge hurdle for many Black and Brown-owned businesses, and it’s one of the reasons the promises of social equity programs have yet to be fully realized. In an effort to level the playing field and streamline early-stage financing for social equity cannabis businesses, my team at Meadow, in collaboration with legal teams at Mayfield Venture Law, Leland, Parachini, Steinberg, Matzger & Melnick LLP, Clark Howell, and Greenbridge Corporate Counsel created an open-source compliant safe (simple agreement for future equity) to help the cannabis industry find cheaper money and have more opportunities to compete.…

A pin celebrating California NORML's 2020 accomplishments, featuring the text "Cal NORML," with the "O" stylized as a cannabis leaf. The text is in green on a gold background. The pin has a shiny, metallic appearance. CA Norml

TOP 20 CALIFORNIA MARIJUANA STORIES FOR 2020

Please donate to Cal NORML or join as a regular or business member to help us move forward in 2021. 

Cal NORML regular membership Business Membership
$30.00 – $100.00 $42 – $420

TOP 20 CALIFORNIA MARIJUANA STORIES FOR 2020

1. MORE Act Passes House with California Support
In a historic moment, the US House of Representatives voted for the first time ever to end federal marijuana prohibition via the MORE Act, a bill co-sponsored by 22 California congresspersons. Also, an appropriation package approved by Congress repeals the longstanding federal ban on providing student aid eligibility to those with certain drug convictions.

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A person stands at a podium in a legislative chamber, wearing a black mask with white text that may read "Good Trouble." The screen shows text: "Federal Decriminalization of Marijuana," "Rep. Barbara Lee," and her handle @RepBarbaraLee. The C-SPAN logo is visible. California NORML supports this 2021 marijuana reform effort. CA Norml

A MOMENTOUS WEEK FOR MARIJUANA REFORM – PLEASE HELP CALIFORNIA NORML FINISH THE WORK IN 2021!

  • House votes to end marijuana prohibition
  • San Francisco pot smoking ban defeated
  • UN votes to reschedule medical cannabis

 Victory is within reach, but we need your support to carry on.

Please donate to Cal NORML or join as a regular or business member: 

Cal NORML regular membership Business Membership
$15.00 – $100.00 $42 – $420

Last week was huge for marijuana reform.

On Friday Dec 4th, the U.S. House approved an historic bill to end federal marijuana prohibition, the MORE Act (The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement Act) by a vote of 228-164.

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A promotional graphic for a Cal NORML statewide Zoom meeting on Wednesday, December 2 at 4 PM PST, featuring Nat’l NORML Political Director Justin Strekal and Special Guest Congresswoman Barbara Lee, discussing the upcoming federal MORE Act vote and 2021 state action plans. CA Norml

Cal NORML’s Statewide Zoom Meeting on December 2

A promotional graphic for a Cal NORML statewide Zoom meeting on Wednesday, December 2 at 4 PM PST, featuring Nat’l NORML Political Director Justin Strekal and Special Guest Congresswoman Barbara Lee, discussing the upcoming federal MORE Act vote and 2021 state action plans. CA Norml

Cal NORML hosted a statewide Zoom meeting for all interested activists on Wednesday, December 2 at 4 PM PST.

Watch a video of the meeting.

Our special guest was Congresswoman Barbara Lee

Barbara Lee was born in segregated El Paso, TX and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School, where she was taught by the Sisters of Loretto, an order dedicated to promoting justice and peace. After grammar school, Congresswoman Lee moved to San Fernando, California and worked with the local NAACP to integrate her high school cheerleading squad.…

A person with long hair and glasses is sitting on a sofa in a dimly lit room, holding a lit cigarette to their mouth. The background features a warm, yellowish table lamp, a potted plant, and partially curtained windows, evoking an atmosphere evocative of discussions around the San Francisco Ban on Cannabis Smoking. CA Norml

California NORML Opposes Proposed San Francisco Ban on Cannabis Smoking and Vaping in Residential Apartments

UPDATE December 1, 2020 – After San Francisco residents and activists mobilized, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 to approve an ordinance that bans tobacco smoking but allows cannabis smoking inside multi-unit apartment buildings in the city. The amendment to remove cannabis smoking and vaping from the ban passed by an 8-3 vote, with Supervisors Mar, Safai and Yee opposing. 

San Francisco is now the largest city in the country to ban tobacco smoking in apartment buildings, and to specifically allow cannabis smoking.…

Racism in Drug Testing: A Literature Survey

It is not news that workplace drug testing is a potentially racist practice. The pattern fits an observation previously made by the ACLU, which wrote on its website that drug-testing policies not only are a “significant and unjustified invasion of privacy, they also single out those living in low-income communities and disproportionately impact people of color.”

Social scientists have found that managers often believe black people are more likely to be drug users. Notre Dame economics professor Abigail K. Wozniak writes in her 2014 report, “Discrimination and the Effects of Drug Testing on Black Employment,” that, “In a survey of hiring managers, there is a belief that blacks are more likely to fail a drug test…They also cite a 1989 survey in which 95% of [hiring survey] respondents described the typical drug user as black.”…

A straight road stretches into a bright light, with "2021" and a forward-pointing arrow painted on it. On the right, a yellow road sign with the word "ADVOCACY" stands near dense green foliage under a partly cloudy California sky. CA Norml

Cal NORML 2020 Accomplishments and Plans for 2021

A pin celebrating California NORML's 2020 accomplishments, featuring the text "Cal NORML," with the "O" stylized as a cannabis leaf. The text is in green on a gold background. The pin has a shiny, metallic appearance. CA NormlPlease support Cal NORML with a 2021 membership!
As a special offer, some 2021 members will receive a vintage gold “California NORML” lapel magnet (pictured) to celebrate NORML’s 50th anniversary.

When 2020 began, dozens of bills addressing cannabis were introduced in Sacramento, including a Cal NORML–sponsored bill to protect employment rights of medical marijuana users, and another bill we endorsed to lower taxes on cannabis, plus a bill to help with the persistent roadblock of local licensing.

A group of people are seated in a meeting room, facing a panel of officials discussing cannabis licensing. Multiple screens display maps, and a rainbow flag is hung on the wall. One attendee holds a yellow sign saying "LET BERKELEY BE BERKELEY. CA NormlAt the end of January, we testified before Berkeley City Council at a pair of contentious meetings that pitted activists in favor of opening a vape lounge in Berkeley against anti-tobacco forces that tried to argue second-hand marijuana smoke is harmful.…

A large wildfire consumes vegetation in a rural area, with flames and thick smoke filling the sky. The fire is close to a fenced-off path or road, and green bushes are visible in the foreground. Highlighting the necessity of disaster preparedness, the scene is chaotic and dangerous. CA Norml

How Cannabis Companies Can Prepare for Disasters

By Lauren Mendelsohn, Esq.
[email protected]

A large wildfire consumes vegetation in a rural area, with flames and thick smoke filling the sky. The fire is close to a fenced-off path or road, and green bushes are visible in the foreground. Highlighting the necessity of disaster preparedness, the scene is chaotic and dangerous. CA NormlIf 2020 has taught Californians anything, it’s the importance of being prepared for and knowing how to respond to disasters and unexpected events. How can cannabis companies prepare for and respond to emergencies like wildfires, power outages, earthquakes, and infectious disease outbreaks? This blog post aims to provide some guidance in this area.

Have Written Emergency Plans Ready

All employers in California, including cannabis businesses, must prepare, maintain and implement a number of written plans that lay out the company’s protocols for responding to emergencies.…

A modern, spacious retail store interior with a long counter lined with pendant lights. Four display tables on wheels are in the foreground, each holding framed signs. Reminiscent of trendy California cannabis businesses, the store features a stylish black and white decor with a partial tiled wall. CA Norml

California Cities and Counties Vote to Open Cannabis Businesses

 

A modern, spacious retail store interior with a long counter lined with pendant lights. Four display tables on wheels are in the foreground, each holding framed signs. Reminiscent of trendy California cannabis businesses, the store features a stylish black and white decor with a partial tiled wall. CA NormlThe Apothecarium cannabis store in Berkeley, CA.

November 4, 2020 – As all marijuana reform measures in other states (Arizona, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota) won voter approval in the November 3 election, voters across California approved nearly all of the local measures to allow, tax and regulate cannabis sales in their cities or counties.

Of 38 ballot measures in 36 cities or counties across the state on the November ballot, only six are losing at the ballot box, while most are winning by large margins.…

Image with the acronym "NORML" in bold, black letters at the top, and the phrase "SMOKE THE VOTE" in white, capitalized letters below it. The background features a close-up image of green cannabis leaves. Don't miss the California Cannabis Voter Guide for the 2020 Election on November 3. CA Norml

California Cannabis Voter Guide to November 3, 2020 Election

 

Image with the acronym "NORML" in bold, black letters at the top, and the phrase "SMOKE THE VOTE" in white, capitalized letters below it. The background features a close-up image of green cannabis leaves. Don't miss the California Cannabis Voter Guide for the 2020 Election on November 3. CA Norml

Find cannabis-friendly candidates and measures at all levels of government: local, state and federal.  

LOCAL RACES • LOCAL BALLOT MEASURES • STATE PROPOSITIONS
KEY CONGRESSIONAL RACES • KEY STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES

Visit NORML’s Smoke the Vote Guide and enter in your zip code or address to find Congressional candidates, as well as candidates for the State Senate and Assembly in your district. Some key races are described below.

Watch a walkthrough of Cal NORML and NORML’s Smoke the Vote guides, from our Sept.…

NORML-smoke-the-vote-guide

Local Cannabis Ballot Measures Lead to Licensing

NORML-smoke-the-vote-guide

 

Californians are voting on 38 ballot measures addressing cannabis in 36 cities or counties across the state on the November 2020 ballot. Most measures would allow local officials to impose taxes on cannabis businesses, ranging from 1.25% up to 10%. For cultivation, most localities seek to place a square footage tax ranging from $0.5 – $25. Trinity County, by contrast, seeks to tax by weight of flower and leaves, while Calaveras voters will decide whether to move from a weight-based tax to a square footage-based one.…

Banner image with text: "Hemp Staff - Cannabis/Hemp Recruiting & Training." Background features cannabis leaves. A banner along the bottom reads, "Click Here for Surviving in the 2020 Style Cannabis Industry. CA Norml

Surviving the Cannabis Industry 2020 Style

by Rosie Yagielo, COO, HempStaff

Banner image with text: "Hemp Staff - Cannabis/Hemp Recruiting & Training." Background features cannabis leaves. A banner along the bottom reads, "Click Here for Surviving in the 2020 Style Cannabis Industry. CA Norml

Cannabis businesses are now legal to some degree in 34 states. Between medical and adult-use programs, entrepreneurs, big and small, have an opportunity to get involved in today’s fastest growing industry. From micro growers to mom and pop owned dispensary, everyone has a chance to be successful with the right team and of course, the right amount of capital.

But 2020 has not been kind to the financial stability of this country. While cannabis continues to be deemed essential, there is no doubt you have heard the latest news about big cannabis firms still laying off employees from entry level positions to C-Level executives.…

A modern, multi-story building under construction with exposed concrete and scaffolding is seen, set against a vibrant blue sky with a few clouds in West Hollywood. A tall yellow crane signals active construction work, underscoring the city's growth amid its progressive initiatives like the smoking ban. CA Norml

West Hollywood Exempts Cannabis from Smoking Ban in New Apartment Buildings

A modern, multi-story building under construction with exposed concrete and scaffolding is seen, set against a vibrant blue sky with a few clouds in West Hollywood. A tall yellow crane signals active construction work, underscoring the city's growth amid its progressive initiatives like the smoking ban. CA Norml

 

UPDATE August 17, 2020 –  Thanks to vocal protests by local cannabis advocates,  the West Hollywood city council voted 3-2 to drop cannabis from a proposed anti-smoking ordinance that  sought to ban smoking and vaping in  all new multi-family units.  John Duran led the pro-cannabis forces on the council, joined by council members Laurie Mesiter and John D’Amico, who had originally sponsored the ordinance.  The council vowed to keep studying the issue, possibly revisiting it in a years’ time. 

Cal NORML worked with local advocates, led by Jackie Subeck, Karen O’Keefe of MPP, LA NORML, and Legal Cannabis for Consumer Safety in organizing opposition to the ban.  …

A woman in a dark blazer stands on stage, smiling and holding her hand to her chest. The background features blurred, dark blue elements and indistinct text. She appears to be speaking or acknowledging an audience, reminiscent of Kamala Harris when she was introduced as Biden's running mate. CA Norml

Biden Picks CA Senator Kamala Harris as Running Mate

A woman in a dark blazer stands on stage, smiling and holding her hand to her chest. The background features blurred, dark blue elements and indistinct text. She appears to be speaking or acknowledging an audience, reminiscent of Kamala Harris when she was introduced as Biden's running mate. CA NormlPresumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden has named California Senator Kamala Harris as his Vice Presidential pick.

As San Francisco’s District Attorney and California’s Attorney General, Harris upheld California’s medical marijuana law. Since being elected to the Senate, she has come on strong for federal marijuana law reform as the Senate sponsor of the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, enabling states to set their own marijuana policies and reinvesting funds in communities of color that have been impacted by laws against marijuana.…

A line graph titled "Racial Disparity in California Marijuana Arrests / 100K population" displays data from 2013 to 2019. It uses two colored areas: blue for Black/White and orange for Hispanic/White. Both metrics increase over time, with blue consistently above orange. CA Norml

Racial Arrest Disparities Increase as Marijuana Arrests Decline in California

A line graph titled "CA Marijuana Arrests, 2011-2019" displays arrest trends in California from 2011 to 2019. Felony (red), misdemeanor (blue), and total arrests (green) all show a downward trend, with total arrests decreasing most significantly, highlighting changes in marijuana arrest policies. CA Norml

July 14, 2020 – Arrest data released by the California Dept. of Justice show there were 1,181 felony marijuana arrests in California in 2019, down 27% from 2018 (1,617 arrests) and the lowest number since 1954.

Latinos accounted for 493 or 41.7% of arrests; blacks for 263 (22.3%) and whites for 252 (21.3%).  Males were 87.9% of those arrested for felonies, and juvenile felony arrests numbered 91.

2019’s misdemeanor marijuana arrests were down slightly in 2019: they numbered 3,769, versus 3,835 in 2018.Hispanics…

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Countering the Myths of Cannabis Banking

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By Dama Financial

Myth 1: It is illegal for Banks to serve Cannabis-related Businesses because marijuana is illegal under federal law.

The Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”) makes it illegal under federal law to manufacture, distribute, or dispense marijuana. However, 10 states plus Washington D.C. have fully legalized marijuana and 33 states have legalized it for medical uses.

In 2014, the U.S. Treasury acknowledged banking relationships between financial institutions and legal cannabis-related businesses (CRBs) through its release of FinCen guidance. The guidance stated that serving CRBs was a risk-based decision, and expressed that thorough customer due diligence is a critical aspect of making an assessment and whether a CRB implicates the Cole Memo priorities or violates state law.…