Kharla Vezzetti

A government committee meets in a large, modern hearing room; people are seated around a curved desk. The screen displays “AB 762 Irwin: Vape ban on Disposable, Battery-Embedded Vapor Inhalation Device: Prohibition.”. CA NORML

Disposable Vape Ban Bill Amended to Remove Cannabis Vapes

UPDATE 1/26/2026: Asm. Irwin’s bill to ban disposable vapes passed in the Assembly Appropriations committee and was headed for a floor vote when it was amended to remove cannabis vapes from the language.

Cal NORML favors shifting to vapes with removable batteries and developing disposal options for cannabis vape waste. 

Manufacturers and retailers should explore re-designing vapes with removable batteries, and/or provide waste disposal programs for cannabis cartridges, vape pens, and batteries. 

See: THE GREEN PUFF: TRANSFORMING CANNABIS VAPING INTO A SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE  and

Raising the Volume: How Regulations and Consumer Market Trends Have Increased the Volume of Cannabis Packaging Waste in California

Consumers should be aware of proper disposal options for cannabis cartridges and integrated cannabis vaporizers. …

West Sacramento city hall

WEST SACRAMENTO HALTS CANNABIS EQUITY LICENSING

West Sacramento city hall

UPDATE 5/29/26: A lawsuit was filed by STASH against the city on May 22; a court hearing on the suit is scheduled for Sept. 21, case number #CV2026-1591 in Yolo County.  In a press release, the plaintiff states: “This case represents a growing and deeply concerning pattern occurring throughout California, where cannabis equity programs, originally created to repair harms caused by the failed War on Drugs, are instead being manipulated, delayed, obstructed, or abandoned after applicants have already invested substantial financial resources and received approval.”…

A photograph of Jack London's hashish party on the Snark.

Jack London, California Cannabis Pioneer

Last night was like a thousand years. I was obsessed with indescribable sensations, alternative visions of excessive happiness and oppressive moods of extreme sorrow. I wandered for aeons through countless worlds, mingling with all types of humanity, from the most saintly persons down to the lowest type of abysmal brute. – Jack London, of a hashish experience

Today, January 12, 2025, is the Sesquientennial of author Jack London’s birth 150 years ago.

Jack London was California’s most celebrated literary figure at the turn of the last century.…

A close-up of a person holding an electronic cigarette, or vape, to their mouth, with vapor visible as they inhale. The device has a blue light and clear chamber showing liquid inside, reflecting progress since 50 years of cannabis reform. CA Norml

Cal NORML Launches Vape Pen Safety Study

A cannabis vape pen rests atop two green cannabis leaves.

UPDATE 5/26: The Study Has Been Released

California NORML is sponsoring a laboratory study to investigate the safety of electronic vape pens.

The study is designed to measure toxic emissions such as benzene, formaldehyde, and heavy metals that could be dangerous to health, as well as the amounts of THC and cannabinoids they deliver to users.

The study is a follow-up to California NORML’s 2001-2004 lab studies of herbal vaporizers, which heat up natural buds or leaf. The studies demonstrated that they could deliver virtually pure THC without any of the toxins or carcinogens present in smoke.…

A large cannabis plant stands in the foreground with the U.S. Capitol and Jefferson Memorial in the background, symbolizing D.C.'s ongoing cannabis reform under a cloudy sky above the historic swamp. CA Norml

CANNABIS REFORM BOGS DOWN IN D.C. SWAMP

A large cannabis plant stands in the foreground with the U.S. Capitol and Jefferson Memorial in the background, symbolizing D.C.'s ongoing cannabis reform under a cloudy sky above the historic swamp. CA NormlEfforts to reform federal cannabis laws remain stuck on hold in Washington, D.C. 

There is no indication as to whether the administration plans to move marijuana from Schedule I to III, as proposed by the Biden administration in April 2024. The DEA’s leadership has expressed skepticism about the proposal and has been sitting on it ever since. President Trump is reported to have privately indicated his interest in rescheduling to cannabusiness interests. However, his advisors are thought to have mixed views.…

A large cannabis leaf on a green background, with the word "CBD CANNABIDIOL" and a chemical structure diagram shown on the right side. Faded cannabis leaves in the background highlight 50 years of cannabis progress and reform. CA Norml

State, Federal Hemp Bans Flummox Consumers – A Cal NORML Report

A large cannabis leaf on a green background, with the word "CBD CANNABIDIOL" and a chemical structure diagram shown on the right side. Faded cannabis leaves in the background highlight 50 years of cannabis progress and reform. CA Norml

State and federal lawmakers have moved to clamp down on hemp products, leaving Californians at a loss to legally obtain natural hemp CBD medications. The California Department of Public Health has effectively banned the sale of hemp products pending the implementation of a new state licensing system in 2028. Meanwhile, the Congress has moved to close a loophole in federal law that allowed hemp manufacturers to chemically convert the natural CBD in hemp into THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids, effectively circumventing the federal ban on marijuana.…

A poster celebrating 50 years of cannabis reform and progress by California NORML, featuring achievements like decriminalization, medical marijuana, related images, a QR code, and a photo of the iconic "HOLLYWEED" sign. CA Norml

50 Years of Progress in Cannabis Reform, Brought to You by Cal NORML

Since 1972, Cal NORML has advocated for the rights of cannabis users in California, using sound science, public education, grass roots organizing and effective lobbying to pass better laws and fight against bad ones. Along with putting out election guides, newsletters, state and local legislative action alerts, and other information for cannabis consumers, as well as planning Lobby Days and educational events. Below are high-lights of our accomplishments over the decades.

Join us as we march forward to greater awareness and sensible reforms that benefit both consumers and the legal cannabis industry.

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Sacramento Capitol with leaf cloud

California Bills Addressing Cannabis Taxes, Hemp, Research Signed into Law; Direct-Access Bill for Patients Vetoed

UPDATED 10/13/2025

Six cannabis-related bills made it through the legislature this year and four were signed into law, while ten failed to advance.

A bill from Asm. Haney to rollback cannabis taxes that Cal NORML sponsored became law, as did bills to regulate hemp from Asm. Aguiar-Curry and Sen. Wiener, and a bill from Asm. Ahrens to reduce the regulatory burden on cannabis research. The Governor vetoed a bill to expand local enforcement against cannabis, and a bill from Asm. Ahrens that Cal NORML support to allow microbusiness to ship certain cannabis products directly to patients.

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A group poses on government building steps, holding banners celebrating AB 564 and the California cannabis excise tax as Gov. Newsom signs the bill into law. A large green badge proclaims, "WE DID IT! AB 564 IS LAW. CA Norml

WE DID IT! Gov. Newsom Signs AB 564 to Lower CA’s Cannabis Excise Tax Back to 15% on October 1

A group of Cal NORML supporters attend a press conference with Assembly Member Haney during Citizen Lobby Day on the steps of a California state Capitol, holding signs supporting AB 564. Text explains the cannabis excise tax law's passage, credits Cal NORML, and thanks supporters for their action.

Governor Newsom has signed the Cal NORML-sponsored bill, AB 564 (Haney), to roll back the cannabis excise tax increase that happened on July 1 from 19% back to 15% on October 1, 2025.

Thanks to all Cal NORML’s supporters who helped lobby for the bill (including at our Lobby Day in March), and all who wrote letters via Cal NORML’s Action Network.

Support Cal NORML’s efforts to stop a tax increase in California by making a membership donation today! Business Memberships starting at $50 monthly include a directory listing and other perks.

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Logo for "California NORML Reports" featuring green text for "California" with a stylized cannabis leaf above it, and bold black text for "NORML REPORTS" below—perfect for updates on CA Hemp Regulations or CDPH hearing news. CA Norml

CDPH Holds Hearing on CA Hemp Regulations

Logo for "California NORML Reports" featuring green text for "California" with a stylized cannabis leaf above it, and bold black text for "NORML REPORTS" below—perfect for updates on CA Hemp Regulations or CDPH hearing news. CA Norml

 

Read the hearing transcript: Public Hearing Serving Size and Age for Industrial Hemp Transcript

Regulations webpage: DPH-24-005E Emergency Regulations for Serving Size, Age, and Intoxicating Cannabinoids for Industrial Hemp

7/28/25 – The California Dept. of Public Health held a hearing today on proposed regulations extending a ban on hemp-derived products with any amount of THC, along with establishing an age limitation of 21, limiting the number of doses per container to five, etc. The full transcript of the hearing will be available later today or tomorrow, and comments are accepted until the end of business day.…