Warnings on Butane Extractions and Dabbing

October 2013 – It has come to our attention that many are purchasing butane-based lighter fluids to make backyard cannabis concentrates, and manufacturing indoors with volatile solvents, causing explosions and fires. Qualified patients can use and make hashish legally under state law. However, the Bergen decision (2008) determined that using butane to make hash oil …

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San Leandro City Council Moves Forward with MMJ Dispensary Zoning; Shasta, Berkeley and Santa Cruz Considering Ordinances

September 17, 2013 – After two hours of testimony and discussion, preceded by three years of back-and-forth, San Leandro city council voted last night 5-2 to direct staff to come up with zoning code amendments allowing two dispensaries in the city. The council didn’t vote on the ordinance itself, despite staff asking (rather late) that …

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A person stands in a field, reaching up to touch tall, green hemp plants. The plants are significantly taller than the person, who is wearing a light-colored shirt, pants, and a hat. The sky above is clear with a few scattered clouds, reflecting the progress since the California Senate passed the Hemp Bill. CA Norml

California Senate Approves Hemp Bill

UPDATE 9/27/2013 – Governor Brown signed the bill into law. SACRAMENTO, Sept 11th – The State Senate unanimously passed Sen. Mark Leno’s industrial hemp bill, SB 566. The bill would exclude hemp with THC content

LEGISLATURE CONSIDERS MEDICAL MARIJUANA REGULATION BILL TO PROTECT CALIFORNIA FROM FEDERAL RAIDS

UPDATE 9/13 – Last-minute efforts to pass a medical marijuana regulation bill fell short as the California legislature wound up its session yesterday. Legislation proposed by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (AB 604) and Sen. Darrell Steinberg ran into opposition from local governments and law enforcement. Similar legislation can be expected to be re-introduced next year. In …

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Cal NORML letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein re: Sept 10th Judiciary Committee Hearings on Marijuana

September 4, 2013 Dear Sen. Feinstein: Here are some questions for Attorney General Holder which we hope you will ask at the upcoming Judiciary Committee hearings on federal policy with regards to state marijuana laws. Cal NORML welcomes the A.G.’s announcement that DOJ will not seek to overturn state marijuana laws. We strongly support his …

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Attorney General Holder Declares Feds Won’t Block Legal Marijuana in States with “Strong and Effective'” Enforcement

Cal NORML Backs Proposed Guidelines, Calls on State Legislature to Act August 29, 2013 – In a long-awaited announcement of federal marijuana enforcement policy, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Department of Justice won’t “make it a priority” to block marijuana legalization in Colorado or Washington. Cal NORML welcomed the AG’s announcement, while cautioning …

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Mixed Legislative News in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO August 14, 2013 – The California legislature delivered good and bad news for marijuana advocates after activists walked the State Capitol for a medical marijuana lobbying day this Monday. On the plus side, Sen. Ellen Corbett withdrew a bill (SB 648) that would have banned e-cigarettes and vaporizers in non-smoking areas. After being informed …

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Attorney General Eric Holder speaks at a podium with "Prison Sentencing Guidelines" displayed, addressing the SF ABA Meeting. The event, broadcast live on C-SPAN with an ABA logo in the background, focuses on mandatory minimum drug-crime sentences. "1:16 pm ET" is shown at the top right corner. CA Norml

AG Holder Calls for Rethinking Mandatory Minimum Drug-Crime Sentences at SF ABA Meeting

UPDATED 8/14/2013 August 12 – US Attorney General Eric Holder was aware that coming to California’s Bay Area meant encountering drug policy reform advocates. His May appearance at UC Berkeley law school saw him greeted by medical marijuana advocates, including a banner in the sky saying, “Holder: End RX Cannabis War” In advance of his …

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