Ellen Komp 
April 21, 2020 – The ACLU released a report on 4/20 finding that on average, 3.6 times as many black people are arrested for marijuana possession offenses than are white people in the US, despite similar usage rates. This disparity has not improved over the last decade, and in fact, disparities have actually worsened in …
UPDATE May 5, 2020 – The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted today to approve an ordinance that limits cannabis cultivation to six plants per parcel, but exempts for 2020 existing personal medical gardens that have been planted under the old ordinance allowing 200, 400 or 600 square feet, depending on parcel size. The …
4/20/20 – Thanks to all who took our advice to #FlattenThe420Curve and stocked up in advance for 420 celebrations this year, instead of crowding retailers on 4/20. There are lots of opportunities to celebrate online that support reform groups and/or COVID charities. Don’t Go to Hippie Hill This Year (or Gather Anywhere Else) …
Shauna Blackburn, Risk Manager specialist at Cannabis Connect Insurance Services gives advice in this video about reducing risk and protecting yourself and your business during COVID-19. Topics include: • Safe money handling techniques • Holding safety meetings • Workers’ Compensation and EPLI insurance • Masks and Gloves; Hand Sanitizer • Sanitizing work stations • Building …
Photo: Noah Friedlander / CC BY-SA READ A MESSAGE FROM NORML’S NATIONAL DIRECTOR ABOUT COVID-19, CANNABIS AND SAFETY THIS STORY WILL BE UPDATED AS DEVELOPMENTS HAPPEN. UPDATE 3/23/20: MONTEREY COUNTY AND AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS ENDORSE ADVISORY FOR AGRICULTURAL WORKER PROTECTION DURING COVID-19 CRISIS 3/21/20: California’s Dept. of Public Health has issued an order deeming cannabis retailer …
Preliminary responses to our recent membership survey show that Cal NORML is on track with our legislative priorities for 2020. Respondents voted their top three priorities as: • 76% Lowering taxes on cannabis • 63% Employment rights for medical patients • 63% Opening local markets for marijuana businesses There’s still time to let us know …
This page will be updated as more results become available. March 4, 2020 – In the Democratic presidential primary held yesterday in California, Bernie Sanders, who has an A+ rating from NORML based on his policy to deschedule marijuana and legalize it nationwide, is carrying California with 33.6% of the vote. Ex-VP Joe Biden, who …
Cal NORML regrets to announce that the Cal NORML / ASA Lobby Day scheduled for June 1, 2020 has been cancelled due to safety concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic. As of now, the Legislature is not in session, and will only be considering emergency bills regarding COVID and a few other issues. We will be …
A variety of vape products seized from highschool students in Sacramento. January 27, 2020 – Cal NORML has issued a White Paper titled, “Health Benefits and Risks of Cannabis Vaporizers and Vape Pens.” The paper contains several findings and recommendations, including: The California Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC) has reported that not a single California-licensed …
January 28, 2020 – Berkeley city council voted unanimously (with one member, Sophia Hahn, absent) to allow delivery services and vape lounges in the city, culminating a two-year process that gathered public input through its cannabis commission, public health commission, and planning commission, as well as from dozens of Berkeley residents, veterans, seniors and others …