Cal NORML News of the Week – July 31, 2023

Weekly Newsletter of The California Chapter of the
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox

Sponsor a Cal NORML Eblast and Reach our 32,000 Weekly Readers


Take Action

Support AB 1111 To Allow Small Cannabis Farmers to Sell Directly to Consumers


News of the Week

STATE

Cal NORML director Dale Gieringer (pictured pointing out Cal NORML’s founding in 1972 on the exhibit timeline) and Deputy Director Ellen Komp attended one of the final days of the California State Fair cannabis exhibit, catching a panel from DCC titled, “Why Buy Legal?” Consumers are encouraged to find nearby licensed retailers and check for stores’s licenses (including their addresses) at the DCC site. Cal NORML also lists licensed business member retailers and delivery services.

The best thing DCC could do at the CA State Fair to promote legal cannabis sales in California is to advocate for allowing sales and sampling of its cannabis award winners at the Fair, like it does for beer and wine.

Meanwhile, the influential Cal Matters published this piece this morning:
Medical cannabis paved the way for legalization in California. Now patients feel left behind

Prop. 64 mandated that the DCC conduct a study on the need for medical cannabis cooperatives, which served patients under Prop. 215. The report date was pushed back, and it was worked on and possibly completed, but never published or acted on.

NATIONAL

Sen. Dianne Feinstein Co-Sponsors SAFE Banking Bill

Senator Files Bill To Prepare For Federal Marijuana Legalization With Alcohol-Like Regulations

Senate Votes To Let People Who’ve Used Marijuana Work At Intelligence Agencies Like CIA And NSA As Part Of Defense Bill

DEA Head Pledges To Seek Federal Marijuana Rescheduling Review Timeline From HHS

Another State Liberates Cannabis: Minnesota Adult Use Legalization Law Takes Effect

Federal Judge Orders Kansas Cops To Stop ‘War’ On Drivers Coming From Legal Marijuana States

 

LOCAL

See inside one of Ventura’s first cannabis shops to open soon

Second retail cannabis store opens its doors on Broadway in Redwood City

Laguna Woods City Council approves cannabis dispensary ordinance

Belmont considering cannabis stores on El Camino Real

Cannabis values decline over 50%, Monterey County Crop Report shows

60 human trafficking victims rescued during marijuana bust in Merced County

‘Dreamtown’ podcast examines how legal marijuana [sort of] transformed Adelanto

Teamster Appointed to San Francisco Cannabis Oversight Committee

 

CONSUMPTION LOUNGES

Consumption Country: The Studio Lounge in WeHo

See: Cal NORML’s List of Cannabis Lounges in CA

Download and read Cal NORML’s White Paper, Blowing Smoke About Cannabis Lounges: Onsite Consumption No Danger to Public Health


Looking for cannabis doctors, lawyers, stores, products or business services? Visit the Cal NORML Cannabis Marketplace and Support the Businesses that Support Reform!

Join Cal NORML with a business membership or renew your membership today.


BUSINESS

Mastercard ban on cannabis debit-card purchases rocks industry
It’s a stark reminder that these types of business setbacks will persist without federal cannabis reform and as long as marijuana remains illegal under U.S. law.

Only 1 in 4 cannabusinesses report making profits
“Operators continue to be impacted by taxes, strict regulatory rules, and lack of access to capital. Only one quarter (24.4%) of respondents reported profitable operations,” according to the newly released Whitney Economics Q4’22 Cannabis Operator Sentiment & Business Conditions Survey Report.

Cannabis Industry Confronts Billion-Dollar Threat: Weak Weed
Pathogen spreading among crops is cutting recreational drug’s potency, forcing growers to cull ‘dudded’ plants

Big Name Marijuana Brands Dive Into Intoxicating Hemp Products

Cannabis firms Cresco, Columbia Care to terminate $2 billion merger

Diddy Loses Bid To Create Largest Black-Owned Cannabis Company As Deal Collapses

 

LAW / CRIME

Police can’t search the trunk of a car without good cause, California court rules

Legendary tech billionaire accused of fraud in pot startup lawsuit

Marijuana farm’s ex-manager leads 10 masked men in armed robbery, authorities say

Mission Cannabis customers quash crime, disarm intruder

 

SCIENCE/HEALTH

CBD: A Potential Lead against Hair Loss, Alopecia, and its Potential Mechanisms

The American Journal of Endocannabinoid Medicine Officially Launches Under the Haymarket Media US Banner

 

CULTURE / SPORTS

Traveling The Cannabis Trail Series #1- A Cultural Journey

NBA Star Kevin Durant Said Commissioner Smelled Marijuana On Him As He Advocated For Ending THC Testing For Players


Coming Events

August 4-5 • 10 AM – 5 PM
Join OC NORML at CannaCon
Long Beach


September 2
Medical Cannabis Conference
Brought to you by Society of Cannabis Clinicians & The ReLeaf Institute
UCLA
Take 15% off on the registration fee with code SCCAffiliate15

September 9-10
Cannifest
Eureka

September 28 – October 1
Meadowlands

Camp Navarro
Early Bird Pricing through August 5

December 1-3
National Interdisciplinary Cannabis Symposium 2
Portland, OR

February 2024 (rescheduled)
Lift Cannabis Expo & Conference
San Francisco


Cal NORML has been the voice of the cannabis consumer in California for 50 years, and we need your help to keep fighting for your rights in Sacramento and across the state.

JOIN CAL NORML WITH A PERSONAL OR BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP AND SUPPORT OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS IN 2023.

FOLLOW CALIFORNIA NORML ON FACEBOOKTWITTER, AND INSTAGRAM

YOU CAN ALSO DOWNLOAD AND DISTRIBUTE CAL NORML’S NEWLY UPDATED LITERATURE:

Cannabis Tax Fairness in California

CA Cannabis Consumption Lounges

Medical Marijuana Patients Protected From Discrimination By Doctors in California

California Cannabis Consumers’ Employment Rights

Cal NORML Membership Pamphlet

California Cannabis Laws (printable on 8 1/2 x 14″ paper)

Stay Informed! Join California NORML’s Email Alert List