Cal NORML Voter Guide to Cannabis Candidates
November 2026 Election
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Artwork: Ruth Anne
Quick Links: EXECUTIVE / CONGRESS / STATE SENATE / STATE ASSEMBLY / LOCAL
Governor
Xavier Becerra – In 2016, as California’s Attorney General, Becerra told Politico he would be defending California’s new law legalizing marijuana against possible federal interference, and admitted he tried weed “at a younger time.” Asked if it was illegal then, he compared it to driving over the speed limit. “Cannabis is last century’s argument. We’re beyond that,” he said. He continued the CAMP (Campaign Against Marijuana Planting) program (as have all AGs) and in 2020, he joined 34 other AGs to urge Congress to provide banking services for licensed cannabis businesses. In 2013, as US Secretary of Health and Human Services, oversaw the agency’s recommendation that cannabis should be reclassified as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act, something that’s back in the news. Becerra has a longer record of public service in both state and federal government than all the other candidates. He compiled a consistently good voting record over 24 years as a Congressman from L.A.
Steve Hilton – Former Fox News host Hilton is the other Republican front-runner in the race and the one that Trump endorsed. Like Bianco, he is critical of California’s Democratic supermajority. Unlike Bianco, his views on cannabis legalization are unknown. Given the Trump administration’s bold rescheduling order, timed just before the midterms, it’s not impossible that they are favorable. One of his CalDOGE investigations concluded the $370 million in cannabis taxes earmarked yearly for youth drug prevention is largely misspent, including funding Democratic-leaning organizations. (The same organizations lobbied forcefully to raise the cannabis excise tax last year in order to keep their funding.) Hilton recently said he thinks California’s cannabis taxes are too high.
Lieutenant Governor – ENDORSE FIONA MA
As state treasurer, Ma has been a longtime supporter of cannabis and of lowering taxes on cannabis. She responded to Cal NORML/CCIA’s 2026 Candidate Survey, saying she would support addressing “cannabis deserts” with no licensed businesses, streamlining state/local permitting and regulations, and encouraging cannabis tourism in our state. She also supports intensifying enforcement against the illicit market, and measuring enforcement effectiveness in terms of market growth/stability/outcomes. And she’s for providing MediCal and worker’s comp coverage for medicinal cannabis, and funding state-sponsored research into the safety and efficacy of cannabis products.
Ma wrote, “We need to overturn Prop 64. It’s a complete failure,” something she was interviewed about in High Times. She testified before Congress in favor of banking for cannabis businesses. She also offered a response to rescheduling, saying, “I welcome the long-overdue decision to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, a step that will provide meaningful relief by ending the unjust application of IRS Code Section 280E and beginning to dismantle barriers that have shut legitimate businesses out of the financial system. But let us be clear: reclassification alone is not enough.”
Ma will face Republican Gloria Romero.
Attorney General – ENDORSE ROB BONTA
As an Assemblymember, Bonta sponsored bills to regulate medical cannabis, lower taxes on cannabis, and protect employment rights of cannabis users while in the Legislature. As AG he helped expedite the clearing of criminal records for past cannabis offenses. He has also successfully defended California law against federal interference in multiple court cases.
Faces Michael E. Gates (R)
CONGRESS
Here are some of the frontrunners in key new Congressional districts (all are up for election). Many are in crowded fields in these top-two primaries.
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Find office holders’ NORML ratings.
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CD 1 – Susanville, Red Bluff, Chico, Ukiah
Democrat Mike McGuire (A rating at NORML) has a strong voting record and authored one of the three bills that regulated medical marijuana in California in 2015. He favors adult-use legalization, but opposed Prop. 64 until such time as regulation of medical cannabis could be solidified. He strongly supports local regulation and was a key opponent of outlawing local delivery bans.
Republican James Gallagher (D- rating) has a bad voting record in the state legislature, slightly improved in 2024 with yes votes on ending double cannabis taxation at local level, and allowing small farmers to sell directly to consumers.
CD 2
Jared Huffman (D) (A+ NORML Rating) posted a fine voting record on marijuana while in the state assembly. In Congress, he has co-sponsored reform bills, including the MORE and SAFE Acts. He is a sponsor of the Small Homestead and Independent Producers (SHIP) Act, to allow small family farmers to sell their products in interstate commerce.
Robin Littau (R) is a devout Christian and owner of Rockin Robin’s Cleaning Service & Joyful Living Magazine. She garnered 13% of the vote in the June primary, to Huffmans’s 52%.
CD 3 – Parts of Sacramento, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Auburn, Truckee and South Lake Tahoe.
U.S. Rep. Ami Bera (A NORML Rating) faces Republican Nevada County Supervisor Robb Tucker in what looks like a close race.
CD 4 – Napa Valley through Yolo County and into the Sacramento Valley
Incumbent Democrat Mike Thompson (A- NORML Rating) faces fellow Democrat Eric Jones, a younger progressive not accepting corporate PAC donations.
Incumbent Republican Tom McClintock (A NORML Rating) a small-government conservative, McClintock has taken a libertarian line on marijuana laws. A leading House Republican supporter of cannabis reform, he co-sponsored an amendment to stop DOJ from interfering in state adult-use legalization laws.
He faces Democrat Michael Masuda, an engineer and former foreign affairs officer who is not accepting corporate PAC money.
CD 6 – Roseville, Citrus Heights, parts of West Sacramento
Dr. Richard Pan – Along with other Democrats, Sen. Pan voted against a 2012 bill to reduce charges in marijuana cultivation cases, after strong police opposition. As chair of the Senate Health committee in 2018, he voted for a bill to redirect cannabis tax funds for youth programs despite the Dept. of Health Care Services writing an opposition letter saying it would require them to exercise preferential treatment. In 2022, he authored a bill to require costly, badly designed new label warnings on all cannabis products.
Kevin Kiley (D+ NORML rating) voted wrong on nearly every key vote in the Assembly, although he did vote for cannabis compassion programs, automatic resentencing, and a resolution to ask the DOJ to allow cannabis businesses. Switched from Republican to Independent.
CD 7 – Placerville, Elk Grove
Democratic incumbent Doris Matsui (B- NORML rating) co-sponsored cannabis banking bills and has voted well on cannabis issues in Congress.
Mai Vang, also a Democrat, is a member of the Sacramento City Council since 2020, earned more votes (30.8%) than Matsui (29.1%) in the June primary. She is endorsed by various progressive groups including the California Working Families Party, Justice Democrats, Sunrise Movement, and Sacramento Democratic Socialists of America. If elected, Vang would be the first Hmong American in Congress.
CD 8 – Vacaville, Vallejo, Richmond
John Garamendi (A NORML rating) co-sponsored cannabis banking bills and has voted well on cannabis issues in Congress. He tweeted on 4/20/22: “It’s time to legalize marijuana. Marijuana criminalization has left millions of Americans — disproportionately people of color — with a criminal record for the possession of a drug legalized in 18 states. It’s time to fix it. That’s why I voted in for the #MOREAct.”
Rudy Recile (R) took only 32% of the vote in the primary, vs. Garamendi’s 54%. He served in the U.S. Army from 1988 to 2014 and is a business owner and member of the the National Rifle Association.
CD 9 – Antioch, Tracy, Manteca
Josh Harder (D) (A NORML Rating) faces John McBride (R), a strength and conditioning coach.
CD 10– Concord
Mark DeSaulnier (D) (A- NORML Rating) faces Jeff Frese (R).
CD 11 – San Francisco
Sen. Scott Wiener (A+ NORML rating) has been a champion for cannabis in the state legislature, sponsoring SB 34 to allow for tax-free compassion programs for patients, and SB 1186, requiring local governments to permit medical cannabis sales or delivery. Wiener also championed a psychedelics decrim bill that was vetoed by Gov. Newsom. Wiener has the strongest record of cannabis reform advocacy of any candidate in the race.
SF Sup. Connie Chan has posted a “dismal” voting record on the Board of Supervisors according to local cannabis advocates, despite running as a progressive with Nancy Pelosi’s endorsement. Chan was one of only three supes to vote against delaying a special cannabis gross receipts tax, and has repeatedly refused to meet with representatives of the Brownie Mary Democrats.
CD 12 – Oakland, Berkeley, San Leandro
Incumbent Lateefah Simon (D) has a nationally recognized record of advocacy for civil rights and social justice. Cal NORML had a pleasant meeting with her and a staffer at the DC lobby day in 2026, where she spoke about the high cost of Marinol her husband needed during an illness. She faces fellow democrat Jamie Joyce.
CD 13 – Merced, Modesto
Adam Gray (D) (C- NORML Rating) has a weak voting record for a Democratic Assembly member, including voting against the Cal NORML–sponsored Employment Rights bill AB 2188 in 2022. However, he voted for bills to expand interstate commerce and medical access to marijuana. In 2019 he sponsored an anti-vape bill that would have impacted cannabis.
Kevin Lincoln (R) is the former mayor of Stockton. He is a former marine, pastor, and small business owner. He’s campaigning to “Keep the woke DEI agenda out of the valley.”
CD 14 – Livermore, Pleasanton, Hayward, Fremont
Sen. Aisha Wahab (C NORML rating) – Has a rather weak voting record for a Democrat. Voted against cannabis cafes and farmers markets, but also against restrictive labeling for cannabis products in 2024. A well-funded attack campaign against Wahab is slamming her record against sex trafficking and fentanyl.
Melissa Hernandez – fellow Democrat, former Dublin mayor and BART commissoner.
CD 20 – Tulare; Parts of Bakersfield & Fresno
Vince Fong (D- NORML rating) posted a terrible voting record on marijuana & drug issues in the CA Assembly, just like his former boss, Kevin McCarthy.
CD 22 – Corcoran, Bakersfield
Randy Villegas – A progressive who’s endorsed by Bernie Sanders, Dolores Huerta, Ro Khanna, Lateefah Simon, others.
David G. Valadao (D+ NORML Rating) – As an Assemblymember, Valadao voted against every marijuana reform measure and opposed recreational legalization, but co-sponsored an industrial hemp bill. In Congress, he supported the SAFE banking act and medical marijuana research, but joined other Republicans in opposing the Democrats’ MORE legalization bill. One of just two Republican House members running for re-election who voted to impeach Donald Trump.
CD 23 – Victorville
Jay Obernolte (D+) has had a poor voting record in the legislature and Congress. He did vote yes on a state bill (AB2020) to expand places where cannabis events can be held, and was absent for a vote on a resolution to the federal government to allow state-legal cannabis programs (AJR 27). Twice he voted against cannabis compassion programs for needy patients (SB 34).
Tessa Lynn Hodge (D) is Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in San Bernardino County incorporating state and federal legislation into county policy and guidelines for county workers.
CD 26 – Oxnard
Asm. Jacqui Irwin (C-) Mixed voting record. Sponsored failed bills to ban cannabis billboards and impose restrictive labeling requirements on cannabis products; voted against cannabis cafes; skipped votes on employment rights, medical access. To her credit, she did move AB 2555, a bill to extend cannabis compassion programs, through a key committee she chaired in 2024.
| Samuel Gallucci (R) |
CD 38 – El Monte, Yorba Linda, Montebello
Hilda Solis, a former Congresswoman, championed cannabis business licensing “that is rooted in equitable access, strong and effective enforcement, and community awareness and education” as an LA County Supervisor. She has also championed Prop. 47’s implemetation, saying she is is “deeply concerned about rising deaths within our correctional health system, driven in large part by overdoses….Every person in custody deserves timely, adequate, and humane health care, and we must continue working to achieve this goal.”
GOP challenger Pedro Antonio Casas
CD 40 – Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Elsinore
Ken Calvert (F NORML Rating) has voted badly on every cannabis bill in Congress.
Young Kim (D+ NORML Rating) had a poor voting record in the state legislature except on more recent regulatory bills, and she opposed Prop. 64. In Congress, she voted against the MORE Act but supported the SAFE Banking Act.
CD 41 – Santa Fe Springs, Lakewood, La Habra
Republican Mitch Clemmons
Linda Sánchez (B+ NORML Rating) Co-sponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, voted well on other bills.
CD 48 – Temecula, Vista
Daryl Issa’s district.
Jim Desmond (R) San Diego County Supervisor
Marni von Wilpert (D) – San Diego Councilmember
STATE LEGISLATURE
Find office holders’ NORML ratings.
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Senate
State Senate District 4 – Counties of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne
Alvarado-Gil’s district. Both these candidates beat her in the primary.
Jaron Brandon (D), a Tuolumne County Supervisor
Alexandra Duarte (R), a farmer who wants to cut taxes, crack down on crime, and build dams.
State Senate District 10 – South Bay Area, from Hayward down to Santa Clara north of San Jose.
Aisha Wahab’s district.
Scott Sakakihara – Union City councilmember/Navy officer; served in Obama White House. Endorsed by State Senator Jesse Arreguín, Assemblymember Bill Quirk (Ret.), East Bay Young Democrats, unions. Just voted against raising cannabis tax in Union City.
Linda R. Price – Republican mediator, coach, consultant, hypnotherapist and trainer
State Senate District 12 – Fresno, Clovis, Tulare, parts of Bakersfield
Shannon Grove’s district. She’s running for Board of Equalization.
Nathan Magsig (R) is a member of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors
| William Brown Jr. (L) |
State Senate District 14 – Central Valley south of Highway 99. Includes Merced, Madera, Chowchilla, Fresno and Mendota.
Esmeralda Soria (A NORML Rating) – Democratic Assemblymember and clear frontrunner
Darin DuPont – Merced city councilmember
State Senate District 16 – Central Valley district that includes portions of Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties and much of Bakersfield’s east side
Melissa Hurtado (D NORML Rating) – Worst voting record of any Democrat in State Senate 2021-2, and just as bad in 2023-4. Did vote in favor of parental rights.
Guillermo Gonzalez – a field representative for the cannabis unfriendly Rep. David Valadao
State Senate District 24 – Coastal Los Angeles County; Malibu, Santa Monica and Torrance
Ben Allen’s district (running for Insurance commissioner)
Brian Goldsmith – Democratic media consultant, has a roster of prominent names behind him and has out fundraised the others
John Erickson – West Hollywood City Councilmember, also a Democrat
State Senate District 26 – Downtown Los Angeles
Maria Elena Durazo’s District (running for LA County supervisor). No Democratic Party endorsement in the race.
Sara Hernandez is a member of the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees
| Sarah Rascón (D) |
State Senate District 38 – Coastal north of San Diego, including Mission Viejos, Carlsbad, Encinitas and La Jolla
Catherine Blakespear (A NORML Rating) – Democratic State Senator who flipped the district and faces her first re-election
Laura Bassett (R) – a small businesswoman.
State Senate District 40 – Inland San Diego County, north and east of city of San Diego (includes Escondido)
Brian Jones’s district
Mara Elliott (D) was the San Diego City Attorney
Kristie Bruce-Lane (R) – twice unsuccessful Assembly candidate endorsed by cannabis-unfriendly Asm. Carl DeMaio
Assembly
State Assembly District 3 – Butte, Glenn, Placer, Sutter, Tehama, Yuba counties
Gallagher’s district – he’s running for Congress
Republicans Dom Belza and James Johansson facing off.
State Assembly District 12 – Petaluma
Damon Connolly’s district (running for state Senate)
Jackie Elward is a labor organizer and the first Black woman elected to the Rohnert Park City Council. Born in the Congo. Endorsed by: Congressmember Mike Thompson, Former Congressmember Lynn Woolsey, State Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, Former State Senator Steven Bradford, State Treasurer Fiona Ma
Eric Lucan – Marin County Supervisor and businessman
State Assembly District 27 – Fresno
Esmeralda Soria’s district (running for state Senate)
Brian Pacheco (D) – Fresno city councilmember, has support of leading Democrats, including Soria.
Mike Murphy (R) – attorney and former Merced mayor
State Assembly District 34 – Barstow
Tom Lackey’s district; he’s termed out
Randall Putz (D) – Former school board member, city councilmember, and three-time Mayor of Big Bear Lake. Endorsed by California Democratic Party, California Teachers Association, California Young Democrats, Communication Workers of America, and San Bernardino County Professional Firefighters Local 935, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Superintendent Tony Thurmond, Senator Tom Umberg, Assemblymembers Josh Lowenthal, Juan Carrillo, John Harabedian, Nick Schultz, James Ramos, Robert Garcia, Corey Jackson, and Congresswoman Norma Torres.
3 Republicans are also in the race.
Facing Republican Charles Hughes. U.S. Navy from 1987 to 1990; farmer and small business owner.
State Assembly District 35 – Bakersfield
Jasmeet Bains’s district
Andrae Gonzales (D) – Bakersfield councilmember
Saul Ayon (R) – mayor of McFarland
State Assembly District 36 – Coachella
Jeff Gonzalez (R) – incumbent; voted for cannabis tax reform in his first term. A retired Marine, pastor and business owner.
Ida Obeso-Martinez (D) – Imperial Councilmember
State Assembly District 42 – Thousand Oaks
Jacqui Irwin’s district (running for Congress)
Deborah Klein Lopez (D)
Ted Nordblum (R)
State Assembly District 47 – Palm Springs
Greg Wallis (D) – (A NORML rating)
Leila Namvar (D) – former local labor leader and city planner; has labor support
State Assembly District 58 – Corona
Leticia Castillo (R) – the incumbent; voted for a hemp bill and didn’t vote on the cannabis tax reform bill
Clarissa Cervantes (D) – Riverside councilmember who narrowly lost to Castillo in 2024.
State Assembly District 65 – Compton
Mike Gipson’s district; terming out
Ayanna Davis (D) – trustee for the Compton Unified School District; backed by the state Democratic Party
Lydia A. Gutiérrez (R) – public school teacher
State Assembly District 66 – Torrance
Muratsuchi’s district
Sara Deen (D)
|
State Assembly District 67 – Fullerton
Quirk-Silva’s district
Paulo Morales (R) faces Mark Pulido (D)
State Assembly District 68 – Anaheim
Avelino Valencia’s district
Jessie Lopez (D)
David Penaloza (D)
State Assembly District 72 – Huntington Beach
Diane Dixon seat
Chris Kluwe (D) An ex-NFL football player for the Minnesota Vikings, Kluwe is a strong believer in medical cannabis.
State Assembly District 74 – Oceanside
Laurie Davies (D NORML Rating) – has a pretty bad voting record
Sergio Farias (D) – San Juan Capistrano councilmember and former mayor
Local Measures
https://ballotpedia.org/California_2026_local_ballot_measures