Kharla Vezzetti

Breaking the Taboo on Drug War Debate in San Francisco

On March 25, the San Francisco Drug Policy Alliance sponsored a showing of “Breaking the Taboo,” a film about the War on Drugs produced by Richard Branson’s son Sam’s indie Sundog Pictures and Brazilian co-production partner Spray Filmes. Afterwards, a panel featuring Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson, California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón, DPA’s Laura Thomas and activist Dorsey Nunn took questions from the audience.

Narrated by Morgan Freeman, “Breaking the Taboo,” starts with footage from Richard Nixon when he first declared drugs “public enemy number one” in 1971 and moves on to George H.W.…

A group of seven judges, four standing and three seated, are posed in front of a wooden paneled background. The U.S. flag and a state flag are visible behind them. All judges, members of the Cal Supreme Court, are dressed in black judicial robes. CA Norml

Cal Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Case On Patient Cultivation Rights

UPDATE: This story was corrected on March 27 to reflect the news that the decision was not unanimous. According to the Court’s website, Justices Kennard, Werdegar and Liu thought the petition should be granted, and the four other justices disagreed.

March 26, 2014: In a disappointing setback for Prop 215 patients’ rights, the CA Supreme Court denied review of the Maral v Live Oak appellate decision, which upheld the right of local governments to completely ban personal use cultivation by medical marijuana patients.…

Two people holding signs protesting Senate Bill 289, which they claim criminalizes safe drivers. The man on the left is wearing a beige suit and tie, and the woman on the right is wearing sunglasses and a beige sweater. Trees and others are visible in the background of this 2013 Cal NORML news archive photo. CA Norml

Cal NORML News Archive 2013

  • CalNORML Vigilant for Our Rights Again in 2013
    CalNORML’s year-end newsletter is in the mail to our members. Read about our 2013 accomplishments and activities and join us to support our efforts in 2014.
  • Proposed Alameda and LA Bans on E-Cigs, Vaporizers Harmful to Marijuana Patients – Hearings in January
    December 12, 2013 – The Alameda County Board of Supervisors will be considering an ordinance regarding restrictions to electronic smoking devices (vaporizers) in unincorporated Alameda County at its meeting on Tuesday, December 17.
    • …
    An image shows four potheads smiling with potted plants levitating above their heads. Each plant is tall with green leaves. The individuals include two men and two women against a white background, appearing cheerful and productive. CA Norml

    Governor Brown: Who says ‘potheads’ aren’t productive?

    March 7, 2014 – California NORML, the state chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, has launched an advertising campaign in response to Governor Jerry Brown’s pronouncement on “Meet the Press” that “potheads” are unable to compete in the modern workforce, and that therefore he does not favor marijuana legalization in California.

    “The world’s pretty dangerous, very competitive. I think we need to stay alert, if not twenty-four hours a day, more than some of the potheads might be able to put together,” Brown said on the March 2 edition of the NBC program, asking, “How many people can get stoned and still have a great state or a great nation?”…

    A well-lit white building with a dome, resembling a government building, is seen against a vibrant blue sky. A cloud shaped like a cannabis leaf floats above. Text below reads "www.CaNORML.org" with the California NORML logo featuring a dove, highlighting their stance on AB 1588 and school distance rules. CA Norml

    CA Hearings on AB 1588 (1000-foot school distance rule) set for March 11th

    UPDATE 3/11: The bill failed in committee.

    The California Assembly Public Safety Committee will be hearing AB 1588 (Conway) on March 11th.

    The bill would expand the minimum distance of dispensaries or collectives from schools to 1,000 feet from the present 600 feet. It would also impose an additional fine of $500 to $10,000 for anyone illegally cultivating within a 1,000 foot radius of a school (not including individual Prop 215 patients and their caregivers). The 600-foot rule was copied from the state’s rule for siting of liquor stores.…

    SF SUPES TO CONSIDER BAN ON SMOKELESS E-CIGS & VAPORIZERS – THURS, MAR. 6th – ROOM 263, CITY HALL

    The SF Board of Supervisors Rules Committee is going to hear an ordinance to ban use of e-cigs in non-smoking areas this Thursday, Mar. 6th at 2 PM, Room 263, City Hall. The ordinance would make it illegal for medical marijuana patients to vaporize anywhere smoking is banned – including parks, businesses, restaurants and coffee houses, public housing, etc.

    See agenda.

    Letters of support or opposition may be sent by email and cc’d to: Alisa Miller, Clerk of the Rules Committee (to be included in the legislative file).…

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    Medical Marijuana Regulation Bills Introduced in Sacramento

    Take Action on SB1262

    From the March Edition of Cal NORML Reports. Join today to support Cal NORML’s efforts in Sacramento and receive our newsletter.

    SACRAMENTO – Regulation of medical marijuana tops this year’s legislative agenda for Cal NORML, as two different bills to regulate the industry have been introduced to the legislature.

    Patient and industry advocates, including Cal NORML, believe state regulation is urgently needed for California to avoid federal raids, since Department of Justice guidelines call for state licensing.…

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    A man and a woman stand at a counter, handing over documents to a woman behind the desk in an office setting, possibly seeking outdoor cultivation rights in Shasta County. Another woman in the background is taking a photo with her phone. A staircase and some indoor plants are visible in the background. CA Norml

    Shasta County Stands Up for Outdoor Cultivation Rights

    This story was updated on March 3. Many others who were also involved in the campaign are probably still not credited. This story is meant to be inspirational to others who want to get active locally.


    Against all odds, the citizens of Shasta county have turned in an estimated 13,080 signatures on a referendum to repeal their outdoor cultivation ban, only 20 days after their campaign began. The number is more than twice the 6,600 valid signatures needed to overturn the measure.…

    Feds Issue New Banking Regulations for MJ-Related Businesses – But California May Not Be Eligible Due to Lack of State Licensing

    Cal NORML News Feb 14, 2014

    The Dept of Justice has announced new federal guidelines for providing financial services to marijuana-related businesses under the Bank Secrecy Act : “BSA Expectations Regarding Marijuana-Related Businesses.”

    The guidelines repeatedly call on financial institutions to check for state licensing. Because California doesn’t have a state licensing system, only local ordinances regulating medical marijuana collectives, it’s questionable whether these guidelines apply in California. (Note that a bill to establish a state MMJ licensing system, AB 604 by Tom Ammiano, is pending in the State Senate).…

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    PROTECT CONSUMER ACCESS TO SMOKELESS VAPORIZERS: STOP E-CIG BANS IN SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELES

    UPDATE March 20 – San Francisco supes voted in the e-cig regulations. Read more.

    March 7 – SAN FRANCISCO, Mar. 6th – We were heavily outgunned at the SF Supes’ hearings on the e-cig ban, but won some concessions for medical marijuana.

    The bill’s sponsor, Eric Mar, invited a slew of witnesses to give lengthy presentations, including two members of the Dept of Public Health, Stanton Glantz and fellow UCSF researchers, the head of the SF Board of Eucation, and the Tobacco-Free Coalition.…

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