Kharla Vezzetti 
October 30, 2017 – The evidence is mounting that allowing access to marijuana, used medicinally or recreationally, could be an answer to the opioid crisis. On almost a weekly basis, a new study emerges confirming the pain-killing properties of cannabis, or finding that states with medical cannabis laws have lower rates of opiate use and …
Updated 10/9/17 – The Governor vetoed bills banning smoking on the beach, regulating edibles (AB350) and the sale of butane (AB1120). He signed AB-1159 clarifying that legal services on marijuana issues is protected under existing laws. SACRAMENTO September 18 – The California legislature has approved SJR-5 (Stone), a joint resolution calling for Congress “to pass …
UPDATE 10/6/17 – Gov. Brown has vetoed the bills. See veto messages here and here. Thanks to all the NORML supporters who contacted the Governor. SACRAMENTO, September 15 — The California legislature is reaching for a new low in nanny-state legislation. Two bills passed by the legislature would not only ban smoking marijuana and tobacco …
August 17, 2017 – After years of litigation in federal court and a scathing injunction issued against the County of Lake, the County fulfilled its court-ordered obligation to abide by the Constitution. The federal civil action arose from the County’s harassment of its own citizens through warrantless searches and seizures of their property. In particular, …
July 2017 – Legislation to improve the state’s cannabis regulations in time for the January 2018 deadline has moved forward expeditiously in Sacramento, with the legislature approving the Governor’s comprehensive budget trailer bill to unify the regulation of medical and adult-use cannabis. The bill, SB 94, entitled the Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety …
July 11 – The State Water Resources Control Board will accept public comments on a Draft Cannabis Cultivation Policy – Principles and Guidelines for Cannabis Cultivation (Cannabis Policy), a Draft Cannabis Cultivation Policy Staff Report, and Draft General Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Waste Associated with Cannabis Cultivation Activities (General Order). The Notice, draft …
June 14 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture CalCannabis Licensing Program has issued a Cultivation Licensing Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for public review and comment. California is the first state to conduct a full Environmental Impact Report on cannabis cultivation. The Draft PEIR provides information about the potential environmental effects associated …
SACRAMENTO – The state Assembly voted 41-33 to approve a bill by Asm. Reggie Jones-Sawyer (AB 1578) barring California law enforcement officials from cooperating with federal officials seeking to interfere with California’s marijuana laws. The bill’s sponsor Asm. Reggie Jones-Sawyer spoke at the ASA / Cal NORML lobby day on June 5 and enjoined the …
Sign a Petition To Protect Patient Access from Burdensome Manufacturing Regulations California’s Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation has released a notice of rule making with hearing dates starting June 1 and draft regulations for retailers and distributors as well as laboratories. The California Department of Food and Agriculture has proposed regulations for cultivation, nurseries, and …
See Lobby Day 2018 Page May 16, 2017 – For the first time, California NORML is teaming up with Americans for Safe Access to co-sponsor a Citizens Lobby Day in Sacramento on June 5, 2017. Cannabis consumers across California are urged to attend and make their views known to lawmakers on several key bills that …