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A woman triumphantly waves a "California Republic" flag and carries an armful of freshly-harvested marijuana plants. She is depicted against a yellow sky with billowing clouds at sunrise. Text in the scroll at the bottom reads, "Sow the seeds of Victory!" Cal NORML.

Cal NORML Election Guide 2026


A woman waving a "California Republic" flag carries an armful of marijuana plants. She is depicted against a yellow sunlit background. Text at the bottom reads, "Sow the seeds of Victory!" Cal NORML.

Cal NORML Voter Guide to Cannabis Candidates

November 2026 Election

Got input on candidates or races? Write here.

Artwork: Ruth Anne

Quick Links: EXECUTIVE / CONGRESS / STATE SENATE / STATE ASSEMBLY / LOCAL

Governor

Xavier Becerra has posted a consistently good record on cannabis issues in a career spanning 12 terms as an L.A. Congressman, then Attorney General of California, then Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Biden.   As A.G. of California in 2016, Becerra told Politico he would be defending California’s new law legalizing marijuana against possible federal interference. …

Area chart titled "Marijuana Arrests by Race 2015-2024" shows cannabis crimes in California, with arrests for White (blue), Black (orange), and Hispanic (gray) individuals declining—though disproportionate arrests persist, especially for Hispanic individuals. Ca NORML

Blacks and Latinos Disproportionately Arrested for Cannabis Crimes in California

Stacked area chart titled "Marijuana Arrests by Race 2015-2025" shows declining cannabis crimes for Whites (blue), Blacks (orange), and Latinos (gray), with all groups experiencing significant decreases over time. Ca NORML

Although the number of people arrested for cannabis crimes in California has dramatically declined since the voters legalized adult use and sales of cannabis in 2016, people of Latino descent are more than twice as likely as Whites to be arrested for cannabis crimes in California, and Blacks are more than five times more likely. These racial disparities have worsened since legalization.

According to the 2025 Crime in California report released by California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta on July 1, the felony marijuana arrest rate decreased 13.3% in 2025 (440 in 2024 to 399 in 2025).…

A grand, white, neoclassical government building stands under a clear blue sky with some clouds. Unusually, a large cloud shaped like a cannabis leaf floats prominently in the sky above the California Legislature. Trees and greenery surround the building. CA Norml

2026 California Cannabis Legislation: What Bills Cal NORML is Tracking and Acting On

A grand, white, neoclassical government building stands under a clear blue sky with some clouds. Unusually, a large cloud shaped like a cannabis leaf floats prominently in the sky above the California Legislature. Trees and greenery surround the building. CA Norml

LAST UPDATED 8/14/2026

AB 1826 (Lackey; Coauthors: Chen and Hadwick). To improve due process around the recall, embargo, and destruction of cannabis products. Sponsored by CCIA. Passed Assembly and Senate Com. on B. P. and E.D. In Senate Appropriations suspense file. Cal NORML has joined a sign-on letter in support of this bill.

AB 1965 (Sharp-Collins) Cannabis: testing: quality assurance. Passed Assembly and Senate Com. on B. P. and E.D. and Appropriations. Heading to Senate floor. Cal NORML has sent a letter in support of this bill.…

A person stands at a fork in the road, facing a choice between a path lined with prescription pill bottles and another lined with cannabis leaves, highlighting the impact of cannabis policy debates under a blue sky with clouds. Ca NORML

Have You Been Discriminated Against by A Kaiser Doctor for Using Cannabis? Join Cal NORML’s Action Demanding Kaiser Change Its Policy.

 

A person stands at a fork in the road, facing a choice between a path lined with prescription pill bottles and another lined with cannabis leaves, highlighting the impact of cannabis policy debates under a blue sky with clouds. Ca NORML

UPDATE 6/25/2026 – KPFA radio in Berkeley ran a story on June 24 (at 33:20 in the broadcast) about Cal NORML’s action against Kaiser Healthcare over their discriminatory practices against medical marijuana patients. A Kaiser spokesperson claimed their doctors are making case-by-case decisions on providing healthcare. However, Cal NORML deputy director Ellen Komp was quoted saying patients are reporting that Kaiser doctors tell them their hands are tied by company policy when it comes to treating them. Kaiser patient Victor Pinho, who has been denied ADD medication at Kaiser, was also quoted, confirmed that his doctors have told him that Kaiser policy interferes with their prescribing options.…

A poster celebrating 50 years of cannabis reform and progress by California NORML, featuring achievements like decriminalization, medical marijuana, related images, a QR code, and a photo of the iconic "HOLLYWEED" sign. CA Norml

50 Years of Progress in Cannabis Reform, Brought to You by Cal NORML

Since 1972, Cal NORML has advocated for the rights of cannabis users in California, using sound science, public education, grass roots organizing and effective lobbying to pass better laws and fight against bad ones. Along with putting out election guides, newsletters, state and local legislative action alerts, and other information for cannabis consumers, as well as planning Lobby Days and educational events. Below are high-lights of our accomplishments over the decades.

Join us as we march forward to greater awareness and sensible reforms that benefit both consumers and the legal cannabis industry.

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A green card with a chip, showcasing "Support Cal NORML with Each Tap!" and "CAL NORML SUPPORTER." Card number 1234 5678 9987 6087, expires on 04/20. Curved white lines add flair to the background—experience smooth payment processing and support causes that benefit you. CA Norml

Payment Processing that Benefits You and Cal NORML

Support Cal NORML with each Tap

Learn how you can help sustain Cal NORML’s essential advocacy and lobbying efforts in the coming years, while providing a helpful needed service to your customers that will boost your sales.

California NORML is excited to announce a new partnership with Banking and Merchant Specialist, Ian Rassman of Rassman Payments. This new collaboration will benefit our business members while generating essential funds for Cal NORML with each tap of your customers’ payment cards.

You’ll enjoy all applicable processing services at extremely competitive rates alongside personalized service from a team that understands the cannabis industry.…

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

A diverse group of people standing in business attire against a green background with text that reads: "Know Your Employment Rights As A Cannabis Consumer in California. New protections against urine and hair testing start 1/1/2024." Logo and URL for California NORML. CA Norml

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

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.

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

LEGISLATIVE GAINS

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

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

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

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

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

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.…