July 9, 2025 marks the 50^th anniversary of California’s landmark marijuana decriminalization law, the Moscone Act, which reduced the penalty for possessing an ounce or less of marijuana from a felony to a citable misdemeanor punishable by a $100 fine and no jail.

The Moscone Act resulted in an 80% reduction in felony marijuana arrests, saving the state an estimated $100 million per year in enforcement costs, and saving well over a million users from a criminal record over the years. The act also allowed prior offenders to clear their records. Prior to the Moscone Act, the possession of a couple of joints was punishable by up to 2 to 10 years in prison.

Passage of the Moscone Act will be celebrated at the California State Fair cannabis exhibit in Sacramento on the afternoon of Saturday, July 19. For the second year in a row, the Fair will feature an on-site cannabis consumption area.

THE HISTORY OF THE MOSCONE ACT
Sen. Moscone was approached to sponsor the decriminalization bill by leaders of the California Marijuana Initiative of 1972, the world’s first ballot initiative to legalize the personal use and cultivation of marijuana. Among them were Gordon Brownell, the director of California NORML, and Michael Aldrich, co-founder of Amorphia, which financed the 1972 CMI by selling rolling papers.

Though CMI failed 33%-66%, it got 2,733,120 votes, much better than expected. “Every county had a coordinator gathering volunteers. We had 20,000 people circulating the initiative – no paid signatures,” recalls Aldrich. “No one ever recognized there was such an electoral group out there. That was so astonishing that Moscone took up the idea.”

“The CMI formed the basis for a statewide reform movement that has existed ever since,” says former Cal NORML director Gordon Brownell, who went on to lobby for the Moscone Act in the legislature. In order to win passage, proponents were forced to drop cultivation from the bill and to lower the possession limit from three ounces to one ounce.

“We got the bill through the legislature because of Moscone’s leadership,” says Brownell. Assembly proponents included the late Alan Sieroty, who had sponsored a previous marijuana reform bill that was vetoed by Gov. Reagan, and Willie Brown, who went on to sponsor an unsuccessful bill to decriminalize cultivation for personal use. Gov. Brown signed the Moscone Act late at night on 7/9/1975, just before the legislative deadline.

Interviews with Gordon Brownell and Michael Aldrich will be featured at the historic California State Fair cannabis exhibit in Sacramento on the afternoon of Saturday, July 19. Also, felony marijuana arrestees will speak about the impact of their arrests on their lives and their families. The panel will be moderated by the current Cal NORML director Dale Gieringer. Cal NORML and the California Cannabis Historical Society will co-host a booth at the Fair from July 18-20. Join us!

MARIJUANA REFORM AFTER MOSCONE
California NORML went on to successfully fight off later bills to recriminalize marijuana, and require driver’s license suspensions for marijuana possession. Cal NORML was a co-sponsor of Prop. 215, which legalized the possession and cultivation for medical use in 1996. Adult use was finally legalized in California by Prop. 64 in 2016. Since then, Cal NORML has successfully sponsored bills to end discrimination against cannabis users by employers and doctors, among other reform battles, like last year’s cannabis cafe bill.

California NORML continues to fight for affordable consumer access to marijuana in Sacramento, currently as a sponsor of Asm. Matt Haney’s bill, AB 564, to repeal an increase in the state excise tax from 15% to 19% that took effect on July 1. Cannabis is currently taxed far more heavily than alcohol and other consumer products, sending consumers to untested and untaxed sellers. Coincidentally, AB 564 will be heard by the Senate Revenue and Tax Committee on July 9^th, the 50^th anniversary of the signing of the Moscone Act.

$50 FOR 50 YEARS OF ADVOCACY

Can you make a $50 donation today to Cal NORML to celebrate our 50 years of advocacy for cannabis consumers in California? Your membership contribution will help us fight for cannabis tax fairness and other reforms. Together we can show our collective strength and make a difference. (Donations of any amount are accepted and appreciated.)

Our business memberships start at $50 monthly and include a website listing, blog post opportunities, and other perks. Join today and know that your contribution will advance sensible and fair cannabis laws in California.

All Californians are invited to attend the California NORML/Americans for Safe Access Citizen Lobby Day on Monday, March 24 in Sacramento. The event will bring supporters from across the state to meet with their state representatives and make our voices heard on pending legislation affecting the rights of cannabis consumers in California.

We have moved up our annual lobby day from May to March this year so that we can better influence California’s budget process. The California cannabis industry is facing an automatic excise tax INCREASE from 15% to 19% in July of this year unless the legislature acts. Cal NORML is sponsoring AB 564 (Haney) to stop higher taxes on cannabis in California.

It’s an ALL HANDS ON DECK YEAR for cannabis consumers and businesses. Please join us in Sacramento to show our strength and make our voices heard!

PLEASE SIGN UP TO ATTEND LOBBY DAY SO THAT WE MAY BEGIN TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS FOR YOU.

SPONSOR LOBBY DAY

Lobby Day 2025 Schedule

Monday, March 24, 2025

MORNING

10 AM – 11:30 AM; doors open at 9:15 AM serving coffee, donuts and snacks
Capitol Event Center
1020 11th St., (between J and K Streets), Sacramento
Gather for training/legislative overview; pick up your afternoon appointment information

AFTERNOON
12 PM – 1 PM Group Photo and Press Conference with Asm. Haney on Capitol Steps West
10th and Capitol Mall – (approximately 1330 10th St. Sacramento)
Join us for a show of force in favor of cannabis tax reform

1:30 PM – 5 PM
Attendees will go to the Capitol for appointments or drop-in meetings with your elected representatives or their staffs.
Capitol “Swing Space,” 1021 O. St, Sacramento 

EVENING
5 PM – 7 PM
Afterparty / Reception – food, drinks and fun!
Cafeteria 15L
1116 15th St, Sacramento, California 95814-4011

OUR LOBBY DAY HISTORY

Last year’s California NORML/Americans for Safe Access Citizen Lobby Day on Monday, May 6, 2024 in Sacramento brought dozens of supporters from across the state to meet with their state representatives and make our voices heard on pending legislation affecting the rights of cannabis consumers in California.

Many of the bills we lobbied on, including the Cal NORML-sponsored cannabis café bill, were signed into law and have now taken effect. Another bill we worked on extended cannabis compassion programs for needy patients.

A survey sent to lobby day participants found that 81% of respondents found the experience “empowering”; 88% found it “educational/interesting” and 77% thought it was “enjoyable/fun.” Of the respondents, who were adult use and/or medical marijuana consumers and/or cannabis business people, 69% responded yes to, “I felt my voice was heard regarding cannabis legislation in California” and 77% agreed, “Cal NORML made it easy for me to be a citizen lobbyist.”

Among attendees—60% of whom were returning citizen lobbyists—77% agreed, “I re-connected with friends and/or colleagues,” with 81% saying, “I met new friends/activists.” Some 92% of respondents said they would return for another Lobby Day (only 8% were “unsure” and no one answered “no”).

“Despite cannabis legalization in California, enacted by the voters with Prop. 64 in 2016, obstacles remain to consumer access to safe, affordable cannabis products, and to the experience of enjoying it in public spaces,” said Ellen Komp, Deputy Director of Cal NORML. “Citizen Lobby Days go a long way towards building relationships with lawmakers, and erasing lingering stigmas against cannabis consumers. And they’re lots of fun!”

“It’s important to realize how important Lobby Day is, because more bills that have come to fruition in California have come from a Lobby Day,” said Richard Miller of Americans for Safe Access California Advisory Committee, pointing to a 2015 bill to end discrimination against medical marijuana patients who need organ transplants. “Past lobby days have helped bring about reforms such as employment rights for cannabis consumers, and medical rights for pain patients and others who use cannabis,” Miller added.

“Participating in Lobby Day is pivotal for civic engagement, as it empowers citizens to amplify their voices in legislative processes,” said Jakki Hernandez of Orange County NORML. “This event offers an inspiring environment for training, pairing newcomers with experienced attendees to foster camaraderie and guidance. Through this collaborative approach, advocacy efforts are strengthened, enhancing the community’s influence in shaping laws that impact them. By the conclusion of the day, newcomers become proficient in discussing the relevant bills, underscoring the importance of fighting for one’s beliefs through education and activation. Every individual should experience a lobby day to witness firsthand the significance of advocating for what they believe in.

 

On Tuesday, November 12 the Oakland City Council will vote on a nonsmoking ordinance. The proposed ordinance would ban smoking or vaping of tobacco or cannabis at outdoor bars in the city, and also ban smoking/vaping in multiunit apartment dwellings with (as written) an exemption for cannabis.

The Council will consider two options:

We must show support to make sure that cannabis consumers can be protected in their apartments in Oakland. YOU MUST SEND IN COMMENTS AND/OR REGISTER TO SPEAK VIA ZOOM BY 24 HOURS BEFORE THE START OF THE MEETING, SO BY 3:30 PM ON MONDAY 11/11.

Here are some ways you can register your support:

1. Send an email to all members of City Council using Cal NORML’s Action Alert
You can also find your city councilperson and write or call them directly.
You must do this by 24 hours before the meeting next Tuesday.

2. Attend the November 12 City Council meeting in person to comment
WHERE: City Council Chambers, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, 3rd Floor
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 3:30 pm

3. Please share this notice with fellow Oakland residents and urge them to take action! Over 30 anti-tobacco activists showed up at last month’s committee meeting on the topic, many of them asking for the cannabis exemption to be removed.

POINTS TO MAKE:

• A ban on residential cannabis smoking would constitute a de facto ban on marijuana for many Oakland residents. Unlike tobacco or alcohol, cannabis is illegal to consume in ANY PUBLIC PLACE. Therefore it’s very difficult for Oaklanders to legally medicate or socialize with marijuana outside their homes.

• Unlike tobacco, marijuana smoke has been shown NOT to cause lung cancer [National Academy of Sciences, “Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids,” pp. 142-3]; nor has second-hand marijuana smoke been proven to cause other serious diseases in any human studies.

• Unlike tobacco, smoked cannabis also has proven medical value for patients with nausea, appetite loss, chronic pain, muscle spasticity, and other conditions.

• No one disagrees that non-smokers should be protected from smoke that invades their space. Otherwise, however, adults should have the right to use marijuana at their residences or in designated social spaces that don’t expose outsiders to unwanted smoke, as authorized under Oakland Measure Z (2004).

• Under the proposed ordinance, any property owner may still ban smoking of any substance (such as the smoking of cannabis) at their property. The decision would be better left to property owners or HOAs, not imposed by the city.

• Any residential smoking ban would inequitably impact low-income and minority residents who can’t afford their own homes. Oakland has long been a leader on human rights and cannabis issues. To reverse this legacy now would be a blot on the city’s record of social tolerance. Other cities, including West Hollywood, San Jose, and San Francisco have rightly rejected proposed bans on residential cannabis smoking. Oakland should follow their example.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION!

California NORML
Fighting for the Rights of Cannabis Consumers Since 1972
www.CaNORML.org

BACKGROUND

Cal NORML got late word that the City of Oakland’s Community and Economic Development committee would be holding a hearing on October 12 on a nonsmoking ordinance that would ban smoking or vaping of tobacco or cannabis at outdoor bars in the city, and also ban smoking/vaping in multiunit apartment dwellings, with (as written) an exemption for cannabis. About 35 people spoke at the hearing, only 3 in favor of leaving the cannabis exemption in, and many more asking for it to be removed. Watch the hearing, starting about 90 minutes in.

Opposition to the cannabis exemption seemed to be organized by the Alameda County Tobacco Control Coalition and represented various anti-tobacco groups, physicians, and the American Cancer Society. Speakers also came from San Francisco, including from the group LGBTQ Minus Tobacco, which was thanked by Councilmember and ordinance author Dan Kalb, including for adding vaping language to the ordinance.

As reported by Oaklandside, Nicole Redler, founder of the cannabis compassion company ReCompass spoke representing her business and California NORML, saying, “This is an issue of healthcare equity. For many, especially those in low-income and marginalized communities, banning cannabis smoke at home effectively bans their access to medicine.” She explained that the Bay Area was on the forefront of the medical cannabis movement at the height of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s. Redler mentioned that San Francisco, West Hollywood, and San Jose have rejected residential anti-smoking bans that included cannabis.

A few speakers argued that excluding cannabis would make the ordinance unenforceable (because enforcers would need to distinguish cigarette from cannabis smoke—two things that smell very different). Several speakers equated the harms of cannabis smoke with tobacco, and said there is no safe level of second-hand smoke of any kind.

Tony Bowles of Americans for Safe Access spoke, saying that unlike tobacco, marijuana smoke has been shown NOT to cause lung cancer, and that unlike tobacco, smoked cannabis also has proven medical value for patients with nausea, appetite loss, chronic pain, muscle spasticity, and other conditions. He pointed out that most patients no longer go to the expense of getting the state medical marijuana ID card or a recommendation from their doctor since recreational marijuana was made legal. Afterwards, Paul Cummings, who heads the Alameda County Health Department Tobacco Control program, heatedly countered with the often-heard statement that “all smoke is harmful.” He apologized to the committee for his outburst.

It was clarified that under current state and Oakland laws, landlords and HOAs can already ban smoking or vaping of any kind in rental units or condominiums, including cannabis. This ordinance would make such bans mandatory city-wide, and possibly involve the city in enforcing them. Unless someone is causing a nuisance with repeat offenses, the ordinance would not affect current tenants, Kalb said, only new ones as they lease apartments. A maximum fine of $50 could be imposed on smokers, after an initial warning.

Faced with such strong and lock-step opposition, Councilmember Kalb proposed passing the matter onto City Council with three options:

First: Passing the ordinance as is with cannabis exemption (but still allowing property owners to ban cannabis);
Second: Taking out the cannabis exemption to a citywide ban;
Third: Modifying the ordinance to exempt only medical cannabis.

This motion passed with yes votes from Councilmembers Fife and Gallo; Councilmember Jenkins was excused; he had brought up a medical exemption.

The next hearing is scheduled for November 12 beginning at 3:30 PM as a nonconsent item before Oakland City Council. Because proposed amendments will be in the agenda in packet for the meetings, amendments can be taken on the floor.

Oakland residents are encourage to attend the meeting, and also write to their city councilpersons. 

IS SCIENCE SETTLED ON THE HARMS OF SECOND-HAND SMOKE? 

In November 1988, Californians approved a 25-cent tax on cigarettes via The Tobacco Tax and Health Protection Act (Proposition 99), which dedicated 5 cents of the 25-cent tax to fund California’s tobacco control efforts. In November 2016, Californians overwhelmingly voted for Proposition 56, The California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act, increasing the state’s tobacco tax by $2 per pack and an equivalent amount on e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, vastly increasing the amount of tax funding available for local health departments and community organizations, plus a media campaign, tobacco-related evaluation and surveillance, and school-based prevention programs.

The California Tobacco Control Program (CTCP), a program of the California Department of Public Health provides funding to more than 100 local health departments and nonprofit agencies in every county in California. Included among those funded groups are LGBTQ Minus Tobacco and the Alameda County Health Department Tobacco Control Program (TCP), which names among its objectives “at least one city in Alameda County (Oakland or Hayward) will adopt and implement a policy that eliminates smoking within multi-unit housing units.”

Using tax money earmarked for preventing tobacco use, the California Department of Public Health has been working outside their mandate to also fight against cannabis smoking and vaping, and so have local anti-tobacco groups.

At issue is the concentration of microscopic particulates, called PM2.5 (microns) that are present in second-hand tobacco and cannabis smoke at high levels. These data have been used by anti-smoking groups and the EPA to crack down on second-hand smoke and industrial pollution. However, some doubt the correlation between PM2.5 particles and lung cancer or mortality.

HEPA filters very efficiently remove PM2.5 particles (at a rate of over 99%), provided they have access to the air they need to filter; that’s where ratings like CFM (cubit feet for minute), CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) and ACH (Air Changes per Hour) come in.

A recent study from the American Cancer Society found that second-hand tobacco smoke presents a negligible health risk, about the same cancer risk as eating red meat or having low dietary fiber – 41 times less than the risk of first-hand tobacco smoking. Researcher Dr. James Enstrom of UCLA saw funding withdrawn in 1999 from the CA Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program, a University of California research organization funded by the Proposition 99 cigarette surtax, after publishing a study finding little correlation between second-hand tobacco smoke and mortality in Californians. The risk would presumably be even less for cannabis smoking, which has so far shown no evidence of causing lung cancer in epidemiological studies (National Academy of Sciences, “Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids,” pp. 142-3.)

These issues came up during hearings in Sacramento this year on the Cal NORML-sponsored bill AB 1775, the cannabis café bill, allowing licensed cannabis lounges to prepare and serve food and beverages. The law requires local governments to consider “whether to require adequate ventilation and filtration systems,” defined as adequate “if they prevent smoke and odors from migrating to any other part of the building hosting the consumption lounge or any neighboring building or grounds.” A 2022 study found that PM2.5 particles decreased when further away from the source; levels from indoor vaping decreased more rapidly with distance (e.g., 77% reduction for vaping versus 33% for smoking from 1 to 2 m).

The Governor’ signing statement on AB 1775 contained some cautionary words to local governments about making sure workers are protected. “If adequate protections are not established at the local level, it could necessitate reconsideration of this limited expansion [of the law],” the Governor warned. Jim Knox of the ACA, whose oped on AB 1775 was published by the Sacramento Bee (while Cal NORML’s was rejected), has pledged his organization would fight AB 1775’s implementation at the local level. No doubt the rest of California’s well-funded anti-tobacco coalition will try to do the same.

Below are candidates who, because of their past record and/or stance on cannabis reform, are endorsed by Cal NORML. Other candidates may be added as we gather more information.

In Cal NORML’s 2023 Membership Survey, 47% of respondents said their vote is “Always” strongly influenced by a candidate’s position on marijuana, and another 34% said it “Usually” is. Also, 63% said they consulted our 2022 voter guide before voting.

If you appreciate getting voting information from Cal NORML, please consider supporting us with a personal or business membership​ or donation.​ Read more about Cal NORML.​

Congressional Endorsements

State Senate Endorsements

State Assembly Endorsements

Also see NORML’s Smoke the Vote Guide to Officeholders and Candidates, and Cal NORML’s guide to key California races, local races, and ballot measures. 

The bills in the following tables are:
• SB 700 (Bradford) – ban employers from asking about prior use of cannabis
• AB 1207 (Irwin) – impose restrictive labeling requirements on cannabis products
• AB 374 (Haney) and AB 1775 (Haney) – allow cannabis cafés
• AB 1111 (Pellerin) – allow small farmers to sell directly to consumers
• SB 1059 (Bradford) – to end double taxation of cannabis

CALIFORNIA SENATE CANNABIS VOTING RECORDS

CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY CANNABIS VOTING RECORDS

Governor Newsom has signed AB 2555, the cannabis compassion bill, as part of a package of bills supporting veterans in California.

The high cost of medical cannabis, particularly its taxation, has made it impossible for many patients who are financially challenged to obtain a sufficient and steady supply of their medicine.

SB 34 (Weiner, 2019), exempted cannabis donated to financially challenged patients from taxation. Provisions of that law will expire on March of 2025, and must be renewed, in order to continue to supply needy patients with cannabis. AB 2555 extends these critical donation programs for another five years.

Veterans groups, patient advocates, and Cal NORML testified in its favor (pictured above with the bill’s author Asm. Quirk-Silva) at key hearings to win support for the bill. Thanks to all who took action! Nearly 1000 letters were sent in on this bill from Cal NORML supporters.

CANNABIS TAX RELIEF BILL SIGNED INTO LAW

Governor Newsom has signed SB 1059 into law, along with several other cannabis bills.

SB 1059 (Bradford amends the definition of gross receipts in the Sales and Use Tax Law to exclude the amount of any state cannabis excise tax and sales and use tax imposed on a cannabis retailer,  preventing double taxation at the local level.

Cannabis is already heavily overtaxed relative to comparable goods in California. Compounding taxes simply leads to an artificially inflated purchase price and incentivizes consumers to purchase cannabis from the unlicensed, untested, and untaxed market.

The bill passed through the Asm. Rev & Tax committee on June 24 and the Asm. Business and Professions committee the following day, by a unanimous 18-0 vote. Testifying in favor of the bill was Cal NORML director Dale Gieringer, speaking about the unfairness of cannabis taxation and, addressing the committee analysis’s conclusion that only LA is doubly taxing cannabis, said that policies vary across the state; he showed a receipt from a Northern California dispensary that included excise and sales taxes in calculating local taxes.

Committee Chair Jacqui Irwin voted Yes on a “do pass” motion, mentioning she’d also like to see more enforcement to help the legal cannabis industry. Asm. Haney also voted yes and asked to co-author the bill. It was “on call” for a few minutes until Asm. Luz Rivas returned and cast the last needed Aye vote.

CANNABIS FARMERS’ MARKET BILL VETOED

Governor Newsom has vetoed AB 1111, to allow small farmers to sell cannabis at farmers’ markets in California.

In his Veto message, he wrote, “While I appreciate the author’s intent to support small and equity cannabis cultivators, I am concerned that the bill’s broad eligibility, which extends to the vast majority of licensed cultivators, would undermine the existing retail licensing framework and place significant strain on the Department of Cannabis Control’s ability to regulate and enforce compliance. I remain open to considering a more flexible and narrowly focused version of this bill next year that can better respond to market dynamics, without imposing a rigid monitoring and compliance framework.”

See a webinar Cal NORML participated in on AB 1111.

Read more about the 2024 legislative session.

Join Cal NORML now through the end of April with a discounted $42 membership and get a free thank-you gift: Our popular burlap sack printed with a “California Red Hair Sinsemilla” design (shown).

Usually available only at Cal NORML information tables at events, this 22″ x 36″ bags parodies classic agricultural storage sacks. They look great as wall art, and are useful as laundry bags and more. And they make great gifts!

Join Cal NORML through 4/30 and we will send your gift to you by mail (in a plain envelope — sorry, the bags won’t be stuffed with weed!). Membership renewals qualify; email here if you are unsure of your membership status. Members receive our printed newsletter and discounts on events and items throughout the year.

As another special offer, Cal NORML Business or Legal Committee Memberships, usually $500/year, are discounted to $420 through the end of the month.  Get your discounted membership today!

Business memberships include a listing in our online cannabis marketplace and guest blog post on the high-authority CaNORML.org, plus other great promotional benefits and discounts. Contact kharla@canorml.org, 707-337-9747 for more info. Sign up by 4/30 for this $80 discount.

Cal NORML is completely funded by personal and business memberships and donations from within California. By joining now you will support our campaign to stop a 25% cannabis excise tax increase in California.

Read more about Cal NORML and Our 2024 Accomplishments and Plans for 2025.

Read more about Lobby Day

BECOME A SPONSOR TODAY!

California NORML and ASA (Americans for Safe Access) are pleased to announce Citizen Lobby Day, taking place May 6, 2024 in Sacramento, CA. Our members and coalition partners will host a lobby day and training in support of state legislation to better regulate cannabis and protect consumers in California.

The California Citizen Lobby Day offers an exciting and unique opportunity to reach out to the medical and adult-use cannabis community. Becoming a sponsor of the Citizen Lobby Day is an excellent way to maximize your visibility to full or targeted groups of conference attendees. We offer a variety of options to suit every budget and marketing strategy.

Becoming a sponsor is a great way to help get legislation passed that is beneficial to cannabis consumers and the legal cannabis industry. It is also a great way to position and brand your business or organization as one that is helping solve problems and move the cannabis issues forward.

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

• $5,000 Platinum
• $2,500 Gold
• $1000 Silver
• $500 Bronze

WHAT YOU GET

$500 Bronze (available to nonprofit groups and Cal NORML business members. Become a member here.)
• Text listing in Lobby Day Materials
• Logo with link on the Lobby Day Website 
• Thanked on Event Facebook page and Cal NORML LinkedIn page 
• Corporate Materials placement on or near the Registration table
• Two free tickets to the event

$1000 Silver
• All of the above, plus:
• Thanked on Cal NORML Twitter account (15K followers)
• One Cal NORML eblast sponsorship (30 K followers)

$2,500 Gold
• All of the above, plus:
• Four free tickets to the event
• One-year Business Marketplace listing on CaNORML.org

$5,000 Platinum
• All of the above, plus:
• One year banner ad on CaNORML.org; any page of your choice

If you have any questions, please email us.