Read about all federal and state races, candidates’ voting records, and more at National NORML’s Smoke the Vote Guide
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 votings 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.
We will very soon issue a slate of endorsed candidates. Stay tuned!
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
Read about Presidential candidates at NORML’s Smoke the Vote Guide
California Senate Race
Adam Schiff (D-West LA, Valley), is the frontrunner and top money earner in the race. He is best known for leading the House impeachment investigation of Donald Trump, but 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.
Ex-baseball star Steve Garvey is 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. ]
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.
Assembly District 75 (Inland San Diego County)
Two Republicans are contenders for this seat, Carl DeMaio and Andrew Hayes.
Assembly District 76 (Escondido, San Marcos)
Republicans Kristie Bruce-Lane and Democrat Darshana Patel are facing off in this race.
Read about all federal and state races at NORML’s Smoke the Vote Guide
LOCAL RACES
San Francisco Mayor
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.
Alameda County District 5 Supervisor
Progressive Oakland council member Nikki Fortunato Bas co-authored a 2021 ordinance to prohibit cannabis metabolite testing for city employees, but voted in favor of increasing the city’s already heavy taxes on cannabusinesses. She faces Emeryville councilmember and victims advocate John J. Bauters, who has supported cannabis development in Emeryville while criticizing Bas for supporting police cutbacks in Oakland.
El Dorado Supervisor, District 2
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.
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?
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.
VISALIA CANNABIS TAX AUTHORIZATION MEASURE
Would tax cannabis businesses at a rate not exceeding 10% or up to $10/square foot of cultivation.
