Recreational Marijuana Sales to Begin January 1 in California

This article is from Ca NORML’s November newsletter, sent to our members. To join, support Cal NORML and receive all the news, click here. Berkeley Patients Group is one medical marijuana dispenary that plans to open their doors to recreational users on January 1. November 2017 – New Year’s 2018 is ushering in a new …

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Opioid Commission Refuses to Consider Cannabis

UPDATE 11/13 – CNN: Opioid commission’s anti-marijuana argument stirs anger November 2 – The US Opioid Commission has jettisoned the voluminous research showing that cannabis serves as an exit drug to opioid use, in favor of a study looking at 12-year-old data. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wrote in a letter from the Commission to …

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Marijuana Legalization and the Opioid Crisis

Marijuana Legalization and the Opioid Crisis California NORML November 1, 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 …

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Marijuana Legalization and the Opiate Crisis

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 …

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California Takes Action on Cannabis Bills

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 …

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Tell Governor Brown to Veto Bills Banning Smoking at the Beach

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 …

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California Marijuana Regulation Moves Forward

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 …

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State Water Board Issues Draft Regulations for Cannabis Cultivation

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 …

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California Releases Environmental Impact Report on Cannabis Cultivation

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 …

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Marijuana Reform Bills Advance in California Legislature

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 …

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