Ellen Komp

A track and field athlete with bright orange hair and visible tattoos shows a determined expression during a sprinting event. They wear a blue and green athletic outfit with a name tag on their chest, reminiscent of Sha'Carrie Richardson. The background is blurred, highlighting their intense focus. CA Norml

Sha’Carrie Richardson Ban Highlights Injustices in Drug Testing

A track and field athlete with bright orange hair and visible tattoos shows a determined expression during a sprinting event. They wear a blue and green athletic outfit with a name tag on their chest, reminiscent of Sha'Carrie Richardson. The background is blurred, highlighting their intense focus. CA Norml

 

 

UPDATE 7/10/21 – The LA Times editorialized, Sha’Carri Richardson’s suspension was fair, but the marijuana rule isn’t, noting that, “WADA isn’t the only arena in which marijuana rules are anachronistic; the U.S. government’s attitude is practically medieval. Marijuana is legal in most states of this country, if you count medicinal use, but the federal government continues to place cannabis in its most restricted category of drugs, up there with heroin…..It’s also worth considering that marijuana is detectable in drug tests for up to weeks after it was most recently used, long after its effects have subsided.”…

A CA state employee in an orange safety vest operates a compactor to pave over a section of road. Another worker in the background directs traffic while a dump truck is parked nearby. A traffic cone and a convenience store can be seen in the vicinity. CA Norml

Ruling Protects CA State Employees Against Discrimination For Off-The-Job Marijuana Use

CALIFORNIA PERSONNEL BOARD RULES THAT FAILING A URINE TEST FOR MARIJUANA IS NOT PROOF OF EMPLOYEE’S IMPAIRMENT OR GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL

A CA state employee in an orange safety vest operates a compactor to pave over a section of road. Another worker in the background directs traffic while a dump truck is parked nearby. A traffic cone and a convenience store can be seen in the vicinity. CA Norml

June 17, 2021 – The California State Personnel Board (SPB), established in the state constitution, provides direction to departments about civil service laws, rules, and policy, and also investigates and adjudicates alleged violations of civil service law which are filed by employees, applicants, and members of the public.

Darrin Harper brought such an allegation against the California Department of Transportation, which refused to reinstate him on his job after he failed a urine test for marijuana use.…

Black and white image of President Nixon at a podium, pointing with his right hand. There is a text overlay that reads, "Today marks the 50th anniversary of President Nixon's declaration of the War on Drugs," recognized by Cal NORML as Drug Peace Day, June 17. CA Norml

Cal NORML Calls for Drug Peace Day on June 17

Black and white image of President Nixon at a podium, pointing with his right hand. There is a text overlay that reads, "Today marks the 50th anniversary of President Nixon's declaration of the War on Drugs," recognized by Cal NORML as Drug Peace Day, June 17. CA Norml

 

This June 17th marks the 50th anniversary of President Nixon’s declaration of the War on Drugs.  The evidence is clear that the drug war has failed; 83% of Americans say so in a recent ACLU poll.

Cal NORML is declaring a day of peace on June 17 in support of more effective, equitable, and humane policies towards drugs.

PLEASE WRITE TO YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO TELL THEM TO END THE UNJUST AND INEQUITABLE 50-YEAR WAR ON DRUGS. …

A vibrant poster celebrates the 25th anniversary of California's Prop 215 for medical marijuana. Featuring a woman in a flowing white dress with a floral crown surrounded by cannabis plants, it announces the San Francisco event and reception for this milestone. "25th Anniversary Prop 215 Medical Marijuana" is prominently displayed. CA Norml

Sponsor Cal NORML’s 25th Anniversary of Prop. 215 Event

Art Nouveau-style poster celebrating the 25th anniversary of Prop. 215 and Cal NORML, featuring a woman in a white dress and flower crown holding a cannabis plant, with lush greenery and a coastal landscape in the background, and text reading "Medical Marijuana. CA NormlRaise your company’s profile by sponsoring Cal NORML’s conference to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the passage of Prop. 215, the historic voter initiative that legalized medical marijuana in California and jump-started marijuana reform across the country.

The day-long event will be held at the beautiful General’s Residence at Ft. Mason Center in San Francisco. Speakers from around the state will reminisce about the coalition of activists and events that made history 25 years ago, and make plans to move forward towards further reforms.…

A line graph titled "Marijuana Use (30-day) by Survey Year" shows data from 2011 to 2019 for California teens in grades 7, 9, and 11. Marijuana use among grade 11 remains highest, decreasing from 28% to 20%, grade 9 decreases from 15% to 10%, and grade 7 remains low, decreasing from CA Norml

Opponents Falsely Claim Marijuana Use is Up Significantly Among California Teens

 

A line graph titled "Marijuana Use (30-day) by Survey Year" shows data from 2011 to 2019 for California teens in grades 7, 9, and 11. Marijuana use among grade 11 remains highest, decreasing from 28% to 20%, grade 9 decreases from 15% to 10%, and grade 7 remains low, decreasing from CA Norml

May 4, 2021 – Last week, opponents to a California bill pushing back against a proposed ban on billboard ads for licensed cannabis businesses touted a study they say claimed marijuana use is up significantly among youth in the state following legalization. On closer look, however, the study they cite is an an analysis of the CA Dept. of Education’s Health Kids Survey which found no such rise in use, only a slight rise in self-reported use in the past 30 days by 7th graders that could be the result of a change in the survey question to clarify that “use” meant vaping or edibles as well as smoking.

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A bronze statue of Lady Justice, holding scales and a sword, stands in front of a green background. A wooden judge's gavel and sound block are placed beside the statue, symbolizing law and justice. The scene commemorates the Legal Seminar held in June 2021 by California NORML. CA Norml

California NORML Legal Seminar – June 1 & 2, 2021

Flyer for the Cal NORML Legal Seminar featuring a statue of Lady Justice and a gavel on a green background. The event is on June 1 and 2, 2024. The flyer has a border of cannabis leaves and the website www.CaNORML.org at the bottom. CA NormlJoin us on June 1 & 2 for Cal NORML’s Fourth Legal Seminar covering criminal and business law in California with top cannabis attorneys. This year’s seminar will be held virtually via Zoom.

Attorneys can earn up to 8.5 hours CLE (pending) by attending the full seminar ($250) or attend individual sessions ($50 each).

Members of the cannabis industry and the general public are welcome, and can purchase tickets (without CLE credits) for individual sessions for $25 each or full days for $75.…

A logo for the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, emphasizing Medical Cannabis expertise. It features a stylized green cannabis leaf above the text. "Society of Cannabis" is written in uppercase gray letters, and "Clinicians" in uppercase green letters below. The background is bright green. CA Norml

New Medical Cannabis Clinical Training Curriculum from the Society of Cannabis Clinicians

By Sarah Russo

A logo for the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, emphasizing Medical Cannabis expertise. It features a stylized green cannabis leaf above the text. "Society of Cannabis" is written in uppercase gray letters, and "Clinicians" in uppercase green letters below. The background is bright green. CA NormlThe Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCC), the first and oldest medical organization in the USA to advocate for the therapeutic use of cannabis, is pleased to announce the launch of a new Medical Cannabis Clinical Training Curriculum. This curriculum will enable clinicians to provide the best possible treatment to their patients while bridging the education gap between healthcare providers and the communities they serve. These courses provide the most comprehensive cannabinoid education for medical professionals to date.…

A vibrant graphic with the number "420" in the center, displayed in red, yellow, and green colors. Radiating outward from a black circle are alternating rays of the same colors, creating a sunburst pattern. The background is solid green, celebrating Cal NORML Events with flair. CA Norml

April Specials on Cal NORML Memberships and Events

A black circle in the center of the image features the number "420" in green, yellow, and red. Radiating from the circle are alternating red, yellow, and green stripes, creating a vibrant sunburst pattern reminiscent of Cal NORML events. CA NormlIt’s April and that means 4/20 is upon us! To celebrate, Cal NORML is offering $420 yearly business memberships (regularly priced at $500) through April 30. Memberships can also be purchased for $42/month.

As a California NORML business member you’ll be listed in one of the Cannabis Marketplace Directories on CaNORML.org, our longstanding website with 1.63 million yearly page views. Directory categories include Dispensaries & Delivery, Legal Services, Cannabis Products, Cannabis Business Services, and Vaporizer Resources.

Additional benefits of business membership include the ability to sponsor our weekly eNewsletter or publish a guest blog post, and discounts on NCIA memberships.…

A close-up of a person vaping with an electronic cigarette. The individual's hand is holding the black and silver e-cigarette, which emits vapor, and the mouthpiece is near their lips. A blue light is illuminated on the device. Public housing policies often discourage such activities. The background is blurred. CA Norml

ALERT: USPS, Other Shippers to Cease Sending Cannabis Oil Vape Products

UPDATE 10/21 – A close-up of a person vaping with an electronic cigarette. The individual's hand is holding the black and silver e-cigarette, which emits vapor, and the mouthpiece is near their lips. A blue light is illuminated on the device. Public housing policies often discourage such activities. The background is blurred. CA NormlUSPS Releases Final Rule Banning Mailing Of Hemp, CBD And Marijuana Vapes

March 31, 2021 – Consumers wishing to buy products to vape cannabis oils may want to make their purchases ASAP before vape companies and shippers move to comply with a new US law banning shipment of certain vaporizer products. We have heard from one company that will cease shipping to certain CA zip codes as of noon tomorrow (April 1 – no fooling).

The law should not affect devices used to vape dry herb or waxes, only oils.…

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

April 7 Cal NORML Meeting Addresses Expungement of Past Marijuana Convictions in 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

Hear a recording of the meeting. 

Our special guest at Cal NORML’s monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 7 at 4 PM (PST) was Alia Toran-Burrell, Associate Program Director, Criminal Justice at Code for America, worked with half of California’s counties to identify cases that qualify for expungement, and developed an app called “Clear My Record” that Californians in some counties can use to find public defenders or legal aid to ensure that their past marijuana convictions are erased or resentenced under AB 1793 (Bonta, 2017). 

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