California’s 100-Year-Old Ban on “Indian Hemp” (aka Marijuana)

By Dale Gieringer, CalNORML director One hundred years ago, on August 10, 1913, an obscure law banning the possession of “Indian hemp” took effect in California. Also known as cannabis indica or hasheesh, Indian hemp had long been available in drugstores without causing any evident problems; hemp was also grown as a fiber crop in …

Read more

Writers, Starlets and Mexicans: The History of Hollyweed

Angelinos awoke to art student Douglas Finegood’s interpretation of the Hollywood sign on January 1, 1976, the day marijuana was decriminalized in California. Another “vandal” altered the sign in the same way on January 1, 2017 to celebrate the passage of Prop. 64, legalizing adult recreational use. Los Angeles has had a remarkable relationship with …

Read more

US/Mexico Summit Looks At Legalization, Research

CalNORML Director Dale Gieringer with former Mexican President Vicente Fox at the Summit San Cristobal, Mexico, Jul 18-20. This past weekend former Mexican President Vicente Fox hosted a symposium at Centro Fox, where delegates from the US, Mexico and Europe discussed legalizing and regulating marijuana as an alternative to Mexico’s bloody drug war. The symposium …

Read more

CA Bill Against E-Cigarettes Harmful to Consumer Health: SB 648 Would Restrict Use of Medical Marijuana Vaporizers by Prop 215

Also see: Blowing smoke about e-cigarettes By Dale H. Gieringer Sacramento Bee Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014 UPDATE AUGUST 14: We’re happy to report that the author has pulled SB648 over concerns about its impact on medical marijuana patients. Thanks to the many NORML members who wrote or called their representatives. UPDATE 7/31/2013: The hearing on …

Read more

PROTEST A.G. HOLDER VISIT TO BERKELEY – SAT MAY 11 @ 8:45 AM

May 10 – Join us in protesting Attorney General Eric Holder’s visit to Berkeley this Saturday, May 11th, 8:45-11am. Holder has been invited to address the commencement of Berkeley Law School at the Hearst Greek Theater. Just days ago, Holder’s Dept. of Justice

Cal NORML Denounces Federal Forfeiture Suit Against East Bay’s Oldest Medical Cannabis Dispensary: BPG

HIV patient Robin Bishop speaks at a rally in support of Berkeley Patients Group. BERKELEY CA, May 8th. Medical cannabis advocates rallied today to protest the Obama administration’s latest assault on medical marijuana: the U.S. Dept of Justice has filed a property forfeiture lawsuit against the landlord of the East Bay’s oldest operating medical cannabis …

Read more

Californians Rally Against Zero-Tolerance DUI Bill

UPDATE April 30 – After over 3,400 letters and emails were sent from NORML supporters in opposition to this bill, it was pulled from consideration this year. April 23 – Dale Gieringer of California NORML spoke today at a rally in Sacramento against a bill that would make any amount of marijuana or drugs in …

Read more

Conference of the Century Held in San Francisco

Over 300 people attended California NORML’s conference marking the 100th anniversary of marijuana prohibition in California, held January 26 & 27 at Ft. Mason Conference Center in San Francisco. The conference began with presentations on the history of cannabis prohibition and the resistance to it. The Board of Pharmacy pushed for a law in 1913 …

Read more