A man in a dark suit and red-striped tie stands in front of American and yellow flags. With hands raised, palms outward, and a serious expression on his face, he addresses the Opioid Commission. Blue curtains are visible in the background. CA Norml

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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A person stands at a fork in the road. The left path leads to a heap of prescription pill bottles and pills, symbolizing the opioid crisis, while the right path leads to large cannabis plants, hinting at marijuana legalization. The background consists of a cloudy sky and green grass. CA Norml

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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An illustration depicts a man standing at a fork in the road. One path leads to a pile of medication bottles and pills, while the other path leads to a cannabis plant. The scene symbolizes a choice between traditional pharmaceuticals and medical cannabis, highlighting issues like marijuana legalization. CA Norml

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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Image of the California State Capitol Building with a large cloud in the shape of a cannabis leaf in the blue sky. The bottom of the image features text reading "California NORML" along with the website "www.CaNORML.org." This symbolizes ongoing discussions around cannabis bills in California. CA Norml

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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A man wearing sunglasses and a blue shirt sits on a sandy beach with his knees drawn up, gazing thoughtfully at the ocean. The sky is overcast, and a distant pier extends out into the water, as he recalls Governor Brown’s recent smoking ban near coastal areas. CA Norml

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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Image of a large white government building with a dome, set against a blue sky. A cloud shaped like a marijuana leaf is prominent in the sky above the building. The bottom text reads "California NORML" and "www.CaNORML.org". This symbolizes California's evolving marijuana regulation. CA Norml

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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Logo of the California Water Boards, featuring blue wave designs above the text. The text reads "California Water Boards," followed by "State Water Resources Control Board" and "Regional Water Quality Control Boards." Draft regulations on cannabis cultivation are managed by the State Water Board. CA Norml

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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Map showing the estimated cannabis production in pounds by region in California, according to SRIA 2017. Key regions include North Coast with 4,150,000 lbs., Central Coast with 625,000 lbs., and Intermountain with 3,875,000 lbs. Other regions are also labeled in this Cannabis Cultivation report. CA Norml

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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A man in a suit stands at a podium, speaking to an audience seated at round tables in a large, elegant room with draped ceilings. A camera on a tripod is set up in the foreground to record the event as he discusses reform in the California Legislature. The attendees are listening attentively. CA Norml

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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Logos of three organizations are shown from left to right: Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation (BMCR) with a leaf symbol, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) with abstract human figures, and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) with a sun and wave design. These entities work under the Governor's regulations for medical marijuana in the state.
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DRAFT MEDICAL MARIJUANA REGULATIONS RELEASED • Governor, Legislators Push More Changes

Sign a Petition To Protect Patient Access from Burdensome Manufacturing Regulations California’s Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation has released a notice of rule making with hearing dates starting June 1 and draft regulations for retailers and distributors as well as laboratories. The California Department of Food and Agriculture has proposed regulations for cultivation, nurseries, and …

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