In our 2023 Membership Survey, 47% of respondents said their vote is “Always” strongly influenced by a candidate’s position on marijuana, and another 34% said it “Usually” is. Also, 63% said they consulted our 2022 voter guide.
If you appreciate getting voting information from Cal NORML, please consider supporting us with a personal or business membership or donation. Read more about Cal NORML.
Read about all federal and state races, candidates’ voting records, and more at National NORML’s Smoke the Vote Guide. You can enter in your address there and find the races in which you will be voting, along with candidates’ records and positions on cannabis.
Every registered voter in California will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November election, starting on October 7, when early voting begins.
The deadline to register to vote online is October 21. You can check your voter status online.
In California, you can vote even if on parole, probation, or post-release community supervision. See information about having voting rights restored after serving a state or federal prison term for a felony conviction.
Cal NORML has compiled voting records of California legislators on cannabis bills in the 2023/24 session. Based on these, other past records, and responses to our candidate questionnaires, we have assigned candidates grades at the NORML Smoke the Vote Guide.
Also see: Cal NORML’s slate of endorsed candidates.
Input for this guide? Write here.
Following are key Federal and State races on California’s ballot this November. We also cover some local races and ballot measures.
Presidential Race – TRUMP WINS
Ex-President Donald Trump, although he said just before the election he would vote for Florida’s legalization initiative and signaled support for rescheduling/banking, he has failed to take a full position on federal law, while posting a long and untrustworthy record of empty promises, policy failures, contradictions, reversals, and outright lies. As President, he did sign a law reducing sentences for certain non-violent drug offenses. He continues to repeatedly call for the death penalty for drug dealers.
Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Governor Tim Walz are explicitly on record as supporting legal marijuana. Harris has been something of a latecomer to endorse legalization, having discreetly dodged the issue as DA of San Francisco and Attorney General of California. However, she co-sponsored a legalization bill as soon as she joined the US Senate, and since then has proclaimed her support for legal marijuana as part of her “politics of joy.”
Harris was unfairly criticized for the thousands of marijuana arrests that occurred while she was Attorney General of California. However, the Attorney General is not responsible for arresting or prosecuting marijuana offenders; local DA’s, sheriffs and police are. As DA of San Francisco, Kamala wisely convened a medical marijuana task force, including the city’s leading patient collectives, to ensure that the city’s tolerant marijuana policies were followed. As AG of California, she continued to enforce the state laws protecting medical marijuana, but was unable to protect the state from federal raids. In 2010, she opposed a poorly written legalization initiative, Prop. 19, which would have created a confusing welter of enforcement problems, and later she laughed off California’s successful legalization initiative, Prop. 64, without a comment. On leaving her law enforcement job and joining the US Senate, however she was quick to endorse federal legalization.
Harris’ running mate Tim Walz signed Minnesota’s legalization law. Walz’s Republican counterpart, JD Vance, has a long record of opposing legal marijuana, including his own state’s legalization initiative.
California Senate Race – SCHIFF WINS
Adam Schiff (D-West LA, Valley), best known for leading the House impeachment investigation of Donald Trump, ut has been more reticent on cannabis and criminal justice reform. He has typically voted well on cannabis bills, but has generally held off from co-sponsoring them. One exception is the STATES Act of 2018-9, a Trump-era bill that would have protected the legality of state marijuana laws. He brought up cannabis banking when Cal NORML director Dale Gieringer and Deputy Director Ellen Komp met him at a campaign event.
Ex-baseball star Steve Garvey was the Republican challenger in the race. A political novice, Garvey has been vague about his views on practically everything. However, he has some experience with cannabis: He is boosting a CBD topical product line known as Level Select. “It keeps me in the game of life at 73,” he told Market Watch. But he has made it clear his products do not contain THC.
KEY CONGRESSIONAL RACES IN CALIFORNIA
U.S. House District 13 (Modesto) – NO ENDORSEMENT
Incumbent John Duarte (R) and Adam Gray (D) are running in this rematch fro 2022, when Duarte defeated Gray by 564 votes. Gray was a member of the California Assembly, representing District 21 in 2021/2022. He posted a weak voting record for a Democratic Assembly member, including voting against the Cal NORML–sponsored Employment Rights bill AB 2188 in 2022. However, he voted for bills to expand interstate commerce and medical access to marijuana. In 2019 he sponsored an anti-vape bill that would have adversely impacted cannabis. TOO CLOSE TO CALL.
U.S. House District 16 (Palo Alto / Pacifica) – ENDORSE LOW
Evan Low (D) is an openly gay Democratic Assemblymember who has been a vocal supporter on LGBTQ rights and cannabis issues in the state assembly. He sponsored AJR 27 calling on President Trump to leave legal cannabis industry alone and was supportive of cannabis businesses as chair of the Assembly Business and Professions committee. Sam Liccardo (D) built a reputation as a can-do reformer as mayor of San Jose. During his eight years of tenure, San Jose was on the forefront of California cities that encouraged licensed cannabis businesses. LICCARDO WINS.
U.S. House District 22 (E. Bakersfield, Delano, Porterville) – NO ENDORSEMENT
Rudy Salas (D) compiled the worst voting record on cannabis of any Democrat in the State Assembly. Incumbent David Valadao (R) has an equally bad voting record, having opposed most every cannabis measure except the SAFE Banking Act. VALADAO WINS.
U.S. House District 27 (Lancaster, Palmdale, Santa Clarita)
Republican Incumbent Mike Garcia has made a point of denouncing illegal marijuana growers and dispensaries. He criticized Gov. Newsom for cutting taxes on marijuana, but not gasoline. He twice voted against the MORE Act to legalize marijuana, but did vote for the SAFE Banking Act. We have reached out to his opponent George Whitesides with our Congressional Questionnaire. WHITESIDES WINS.
U.S. House District 30 (Pasadena) – ENDORSE FRIEDMAN
In this race to replace Adam Schiff, Asm. Laura Friedman posted an “A” voting record on cannabis in the Assembly. Her opponent is Republican Alex Balekian, an MD from Glendale, whose views on cannabis aren’t known. FRIEDMAN WINS.
U.S. House District 41 (Palm Springs – Corona) – ENDORSE ROLLINS
Democrat Will Rollins, a former prosecutor, fully supports the MORE Act and descheduling of cannabis. He likewise advocates for LGBQT rights, reproductive freedom, and criminal justice reform by prioritizing violent gang and white-collar crime over low-level drug offenses. Incumbent Rep. Ken Calvert, an evangelical Tea Party conservative, has a long record of bad votes on cannabis and other personal freedom issues. He narrowly defeated Rollins in 2022. CALVERT WINS.
U.S. House District 45 (Orange Co – Brea – Garden Grove)
Incumbent Michelle Steel (R) has posted a terrible voting record in Congress. The position of Democratic challenger Derek Tran (D) is unknown. TOO CLOSE TO CALL.
U.S. House District 47 (Orange Co – Irvine) – ENDORSE MIN
State Sen. David Min (D) is a former economics law professor at UCI Law School, like incumbent Katie Porter, who is leaving this seat. Min endorses SAFE banking legislation and has been a generally good vote in the State Senate. Former GOP Assembly Leader Scott Baugh (R) posted a mixed record in the state legislature, where his party generally opposed cannabis reform measures. MIN WINS.
KEY STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES IN CALIFORNIA
State Senate District 1 (Shasta, North East state)
Asm. Megan Dahle is running for her father Brian’s seat in this Republican district. Her voting record hasn’t been great, but she’s improved of late on business-oriented measures. She faces fellow Republican David Fennell. DAHLE WINS.
State Senate District 3 (Vacaville)
Christopher Cabaldon voted against opening cannabis businesses in West Sacramento while mayor of the city. He is running against Republican Thom Bogue for this seat currently occupied by Bill Dodd.
State Senate District 5 (Stockton/Tracy) – ENDORSE MCNERNEY
This race for termed-out Susan Eggman’s district pits former Congressman Jerry McNerney (D) against Republican Jim Shoemaker. McNerney’s Congressional voting record was good, plus he co-sponsored several reform bills and amendments to the Farm Bill that legalized CBD. He thinks cannabis taxes are “about right” but would support lowering them on medical patients and equity businesses. He supports employment rights for responsible cannabis users, and the expansion of cannabis consumption lounges and events, “provided they are well-regulated and ensure public safety.”
State Senate District 7 (Berkeley/Oakland)* – ENDORSE ARREGUIN
Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin, who sponsored a measure to lower cannabis taxes in Berkeley, serving as a model for other jurisdictions faces left-leaning Richmond city councilmember Jovanka Beckles, who has courted support from the cannabis community but been criticized for divisive behavior on the city council. Both candidates gave strong answers on Cal NORML’s candidate questionnaire, including supporting lowering taxes on cannabis.
*Will become District 9 in 2025; District 9 will be District 7
State Senate District 29 (Fullerton) – ENDORSE REYES
Democratic Asm. Eloise Reyes, with her good voting record, faces challenger Carlos Garcia, a Republican.
CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY
Assembly District 2 (Santa Rosa) – ENDORSE CHRIS ROGERS
Chris Rogers is a cannabis-friendly Santa Rosa City councilmember. His opponent Michael Greer is ambivalent about the topic. ROGERS WINS
Assembly District 7 (Rancho Cordova) – ENDORSE JOSH HOOVER
The Young Republican incumbent in this hotly-contested district, Josh Hoover, posted a perfect voting record in his first term. His opponent is Democrat Porsche Middleton.
Assembly District 15 (Concord)
In response to Cal NORML’s candidate questionnaire, candidate Sonia Ledo (R) said that she supports cannabis legalization and employment rights for cannabis users. She said cannabis taxes are too high and supports lowering them for medical marijuana patients (only). She did not answer the question, “Do you support the expansion of cannabis consumption spaces and events?” Her opponent is Democrat Anamarie Farias. FARIAS WINS.
Assembly District 19 (San Francisco)
Two Democrats are vying for this seat currently occupied by Phil Ting, SF Supervisor Catherine Stefani and activist David Lee. STEFANI WINS.
Assembly District 26 (Santa Clara, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, parts of San Jose)
Two young Democrats are vying for this seat: Patrick Ahrens and Tara Sreekrishnan. Sreekrishnan strongly supports both the legal adult use of marijuana and medical marijuana. During her work under then-County Supervisor Dave Cortese, she staffed an initiative that aimed to waive the Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) fees for patients in Santa Clara County. AHRENS WINS.
Assembly District 27 (Merced, Los Banos, Madera) – ENDORSE SORIA
Incumbent Democrat Esmerelda Soria faces a strong challenge from Republican Joanna Garcia Rose in this district. Soria supported licensed cannabusinesses on Fresno City Council, and she voted well in her first term in the legislature. TOO CLOSE TO CALL.
Assembly District 40 (Santa Clarita) – ENDORSE SCHIAVO
Democratic incumbent Pilar Schiavo faces Republican challenger Patrick Lee Gipson in this hotly contested race. Schiavo is a progressive Democrat supported by friend-of-cannabis and former Assemblymember Tom Ammiano. She votes well. TOO CLOSE TO CALL.
Assembly District 47 (Rural San Bernardino and Riverside Counties) – ENDORSE WALLIS
Here young Republican incumbent Greg Wallis faces a challenge from Democrat Christy Holstege, a Palm Springs City Council Member that Wallis narrowly beat in their last match up. Holstege, who describes herself as a “social justice attorney,” has been supportive of cannabis development in pot-friendly Palm Springs. Wallis had a near-perfect voting record in his first term in the legislature. TOO CLOSE TO CALL.
Assembly District 54 – (Los Angeles, Montebello, Commerce) – ENDORSE GONZALEZ
Candidate Mark Gonzalez (D) wrote, “I am a longtime supporter of the legal adult use of marijuana for recreational and medical purposes.” He supports lowering taxes on medical patients and equity businesses, employment rights for cannabis consumers, and the expansion of consumption spaces. Saying he would have voted for AB 1775, the cannabis café bill if in office, he wrote, “I’m proud to have supported UFCW cannabis workers throughout my time in public service.” He faces fellow Democrat John Yi. ] GONZALEZ WINS.
Assembly District 57 (South Los Angeles) – ENDORSE MARTINEZ
Vying for this seat being vacated by cannabis advocate Reggie Jones-Sawyer are Democrats Efren Martinez and Sade Elhawary. In answer to Cal NORML’s questionnaire, Martinez wrote, “Yes, I support the legalization of cannabis. As chair of the Huntington Park Planning Commission I supported and was a part of crafting the city cannabis city ordinance.” He responded that cannabis taxes are too high and he would support lowering them for all businesses. He wrote, “Cannabis sales already get charged the regular sales tax; therefore, I personally believe that excise taxes should be removed completely.” He also supports employment rights and the expansion of cannabis consumption spaces and events. ELHAWARY WINS.
Assembly District 75 (Inland San Diego County)
Two Republicans are contenders for this seat, Carl DeMaio and Andrew Hayes. DEMAIO WINS.
Assembly District 76 (Escondido, San Marcos)
Republicans Kristie Bruce-Lane and Democrat Darshana Patel are facing off in this race. PATEL HAS DECLARED VICTORY.
Read about all federal and state races at NORML’s Smoke the Vote Guide
LOCAL RACES
San Francisco Mayor – Dual Endorsement: Breen and Peskin
The Brownie Mary Democrats have endorsed two candidates with strong pro-cannabis records: incumbent Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Aaron Peskin. Cannabis advocates are especially leery of ex-Supervisor Mark Farrell, who repeatedly voted against approving dispensaries and is running on a law-and-order platform.
Sacramento Mayor – Endorse Kevin McCarty
Local cannabis activists are supporting Asm. Kevin McCarty for mayor; he was supportive of cannabis in the Assembly.
El Dorado Supervisor, District 2 – Endorse (the other) Kevin McCarty
Candidate Kevin McCarty (not the Assemblymember by the same name) is director of Licensing and Compliance for Capitol Compliance Management and Chief Compliance Officer for a cannabis manufacturing business he co-founded in 2020. Read his views on cannabis.
San Diego Supervisor, District 3 – Endorse Terra Lawson-Remer
Local San Diego activists report that Terra Lawson-Remer is stellar on cannabis. She’s been to SD-ASA meetings campaigning, and her staff has met with the group many times. Her challenger, former mayor Kevin Faulconer, never led on marijuana and sometimes spoke badly about it, although his term as mayor was where the majority of zoning and licensing occurred.
San Diego City Attorney – Endorse Heather Fertbert
Deputy City Attorney Heather Fertbert is preferred by local activists in this race. Her opponent, Asm. Brian Maienschein, has a weak voting record in the Assembly, slightly improved in recent years. He authored AB 1684, which expands on a bad law that allows local fining for cannabis cultivation via code enforcement without proper noticing. (Cal NORML was were able to get amendments to it to protect medical patients and 5-patient collective gardens.) The idea of him being city attorney to enforce this law and also SB 1498, which allows city attorneys to bring suit against cannabis companies who break marketing restrictions, is disconcerting.
Know of other key local races or measures? Write here.
LOCAL BALLOT MEASURES
DUARTE MEASURE QQ – CANNABIS RETAIL SALES AND TAX
Shall a measure authorizing the City Council of the City of Duarte to adopt an ordinance to permit no more than two (2) storefront retail sales cannabis dispensaries and that taxes cannabis businesses up to 10% of gross receipts to raise up to approximately $2,526,250 annually until ended by voters be adopted? WINNING WITH 52% OF THE VOTE.
MONTEREY COUNTY REGIONAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT MEASURE DD
Shall Measure H, the Monterey County Regional Fire Protection District commercial cannabis tax imposed by the voters of the Fire District in 2018 to fund the impacts of the cannabis industry on fire prevention services and to response to fires, hazardous materials incidents and other emergencies, be repealed? Read more. LOSING WITH 56% “NO” VOTES.
SAN PABLO MEASURE M
Would allow the city to enact a cannabis business license tax of up to 7% of gross receipts or $10 per square foot of commercial grow area. Read more. WINNING WITH 75% OF THE VOTE.
NEEDLES MEASURE O
Shall a measure be adopted approving an alternative square foot tax on persons actively engaged in the business of Cannabis Cultivation at a monthly tax rate of up to $1.75 per square foot of Cannabis Cultivation Area or a fraction thereof (adjusted annually for CPI, but in no case more than 5% or less than 2%, starting on January 1 on the first year the tax is implemented, and each year thereafter)? WINNING WITH 73% OF THE VOTE.
STANISLAUS COUNTY MEASURE P
This lengthy measure allows the Board of Supervisors to set a tax on Commercial Cannabis Distribution, Manufacturing, or Testing as a Cannabis Business, in the unincorporated areas of the County, at a minimum of 1% and a maximum of 4% of gross receipts. Retailers would be charged between 1% and 8% on gross receipts, and cultivators would pay the greater of a 1% – 4% gross receipts tax or a $1 to $8 tax per square foot of canopy. WINNING WITH 67% OF THE VOTE.
VISALIA CANNABIS TAX AUTHORIZATION MEASURE
Would tax cannabis businesses at a rate not exceeding 10% or up to $10/square foot of cultivation. WINNING WITH 71% OF THE VOTE.
In our 2023 Membership Survey, 47% of respondents said their vote is “Always” strongly influenced by a candidate’s position on marijuana, and another 34% said it “Usually” is. Also, 63% said they consulted our 2022 voter guide.
If you appreciate getting voting information from Cal NORML, please consider supporting us with a personal or business membership or donation. Read more about Cal NORML.
