Blog
Home-OC Norml > Blog
Cal NORML Candidate Endorsements – November 2024 Election
Read more about all candidates, their records and positions on cannabis at the NORML Smoke the Vote Guide.
Congressional Endorsements
c16
Santa Clara
Evan
Low
ENDORSED
c29
Panorama City
Luz
Rivas
ENDORSED
c30
LA
Laura
Friedman
ENDORSED
c41
Corona
Will
Rollins
ENDORSED
c47
Irvine
Dave
Min
ENDORSED
State Senate Endorsements
S05
Modesto
Jerry
McNerney
ENDORSED
S07
Orinda
Tim
Grayson
ENDORSED
s09
Oakland
Jesse
Arreguin
ENDORSED
S11
San Francisco
Scott
Wiener
ENDORSED
S13
San Mateo
Josh
Becker
ENDORSED
S15
Campbell
Dave
Cortese
ENDORSED
S17
Santa Cruz
John
Laird
ENDORSED
S21
Santa Barbara
Monique
Limón
ENDORSED
S27
Calabasas
Henry
Stern
ENDORSED
S29
Fullerton
Eloise
Reyes
ENDORSED
S33
Long Beach
Lena
Gonzalez
ENDORSED
S37
Irvine
Josh
Newman
ENDORSED
State Assembly Endorsements
a02
Santa Rosa
Chris
Rogers
ENDORSED
a04
Davis
Cecilia
Aguiar-Curry
ENDORSED
a07
Rancho Cordova
Josh
Hoover
ENDORSED
a10
Elk Grove
Stephanie
Nguyen
ENDORSED
a11
Fairfield
Lori
WIlson
ENDORSED
a12
San Rafael
Damon
Connolly
ENDORSED
a14
Oakland
Buffy
Wicks
ENDORSED
a17
San Francisco
Matt
Haney
ENDORSED
a18
Oakland
Mia
Bonta
ENDORSED
a20
Hayward
Liz
Ortega
ENDORSED
a21
San Mateo
Diane
Papan
ENDORSED
a23
Palo Alto
Marc
Berman
ENDORSED
a24
Milpitas
Alex
Lee
ENDORSED
a25
San Jose
Ash
Kalra
ENDORSED
a27
Merced
Esmeralda
Soria
ENDORSED
a28
Santa Cruz
Gail
Pellerin
ENDORSED
a29
Arleta
Luz Maria
Rivas
ENDORSED
a30
San Luis Obispo
Dawn
Addis
ENDORSED
a31
Fresno
Dr. Joaquin
Arambula
ENDORSED
a37
Santa Barbara
Gregg
Hart
ENDORSED
a38
Ventura
Steve
Bennett
ENDORSED
a39
Hesperia
Juan
Carrillo
ENDORSED
a40
Santa Clarita
Pilar
Schiavo
ENDORSED
a47
Palm Springs
Greg
Wallis
ENDORSED
a48
W. Covina
Blanca E.
Rubio
ENDORSED
a49
Monterey Park
Mike
Fong
ENDORSED
a51
Santa Monica
Rick Chavez
Zbur
ENDORSED
a54
Los Angeles
Mark
Gonzalez
ENDORSED
a55
Culver City
Isaac G.
Bryan
ENDORSED
a57
S. Los Angeles
Efram
Martinez
ENDORSED
a60
Perris
Corey A
Jackson
ENDORSED
a61
Inglewood
Tina
McKinnor
ENDORSED
a64
Downey
Blanca
Pacheco
ENDORSED
a65
Compton
Mike A
Gipson
ENDORSED
A67
Fullerton
Sharon
Quirk-Silva
ENDORSED
a68
Anaheim
Aveliino
Valencia
ENDORSED
a73
Irviine
Cottie
Petrie-Norris
ENDORSED
a77
Carlsbad
Tasha
Boerner-Horvath
ENDORSED
a78
San Diego
Christopher
Ward
ENDORSED
a80
Chula Vista
David
Alvarez
ENDORSED
NORML Op-Ed: Marijuana Prohibition Has Been a Fraud from the Get-Go
Marijuana prohibition has been a fraud from the beginning — often propagated by politicians and bureaucrats who were in on the sham. It’s high time we end it.
The post NORML Op-Ed: Marijuana Prohibition Has Been a Fraud from the Get-Go appeared first on NORML.
Cannabis Voting Records for California Legislators – 2023/24
Cal NORML has compiled the voting records of California’s legislators on key cannabis bills in 2023 and 2024, assigning grades based on weighted scores for their votes. Lawmakers with the worst voting records are in our “Hall of Shame” (designed in red); our “Honor Roll” (in green) is for legislators with the best records, and/or those who sponsored pro-cannabis bills.
Also see NORML’s Smoke the Vote Guide to Officeholders and Candidates, and Cal NORML’s guide to key California races, local races, and ballot measures.
The bills in the following tables are:
• SB 700 (Bradford) – ban employers from asking about prior use of cannabis
• AB 1207 (Irwin) – impose restrictive labeling requirements on cannabis products (Cal NORML opposed)
• AB 374 (Haney) and AB 1775 (Haney) – allow cannabis cafés
• AB 1111 (Pellerin) – allow small farmers to sell directly to consumers
• SB 1059 (Bradford) – to end double taxation of cannabis
CALIFORNIA SENATE CANNABIS VOTING RECORDS
Dist.
City
LastName
Party
SB 700
AB 1207
AB 374
AB 1775
AB 1111
SB 1059
GRADE
S01
Redding
Dahle, Brian
R
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
C-
S02
Eureka
McGuire
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S03
Vacaville
Dodd
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S04
Oakdale
Alvarado-Gil
R
A
N
Y
Y
N
Y
B-
S05
Modesto
Eggman
D
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
A+
S06
Roseville
Niello
R
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
C
S07
Orinda
Glazer
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
Y
B
S08
Sacramento
Ashby
D
Y
Y
Y
A
Y
Y
B
s09
Oakland
Skinner
D
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
A+
S10
Fremont
Wahab
D
Y
N
Y
N
N
Y
C
S11
San Francisco
Wiener
D
Y
N
Y
Y
N
Y
A+
S12
Yucca Valley
Grove
R
N
N
A
Y
Y
Y
D+
S13
San Mateo
Becker
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S14
Salinas
Caballero
D
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
A+
S15
Campbell
Cortese
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S16
Hanford
Hurtado
R
N
Y
A
N
N
A
D
S17
Santa Cruz
Laird
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S18
Chula Vista
Padilla
D
Y
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S19
Santa Barbara
Limón
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S20
Van Nuys
Menjivar
D
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
B-
S21
Lancaster
Wilk
R
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
C-
S22
West Covina
Rubio
D
A
Y
Y
A
A
A
D
s23
Redlands
Ochoa Bogh
R
N
A
A
N
A
Y
D
S24
Redondo Beach
Allen
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
A
S25
Glendale
Portantino
D
Y
Y
Y
A
A
Y
B-
S26
Los Angeles
Durazo
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S27
Calabasas
Stern
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S28
Los Angeles
Smallwood-Cuevas
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
Y
B+
S29
Fullerton
Newman
D
Y
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S30
Norwalk
Archuleta
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
B
S31
Riverside
Roth
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S32
Murrietta
Seyarto
R
N
A
N
N
A
Y
D
S33
Long Beach
Gonzalez
D
Y
A
Y
Y
A
Y
A
S34
Santa Ana
Umberg
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
B
S35
Inglewood
Bradford
D
Y
A
Y
Y
A
Y
A+
S36
Orange Co
Nguyen
R
N
Y
N
N
N
A
F
S37
Irvine
Min
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A-
S38
Encinitas
Blakespear
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S39
San Diego
Atkins
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S40
Escondido
Jones
R
N
A
N
N
Y
Y
D
CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY CANNABIS VOTING RECORDS
Dist.
City
Name
Party
SB 700
AB 1207
AB 374
AB 1775
AB 1111
SB 1059
GRADE
a01
Redding
Dahle, Megan
R
N
A
N
Y
Y
Y
C-
a02
Santa Rosa
Wood
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a03
Chico
Gallagher
R
N
A
N
A
Y
Y
D+
a04
Davis
Aguiar-Curry
D
Y
A
Y
Y
A
Y
A+
a05
Granite Bay
Patterson, Joe
R
N
A
Y
Y
N
Y
C
a06
Sacramento
McCarty
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A-
a07
Rancho Cordova
Hoover
R
Y
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a08
Fresno
Patterson, Jim
R
A
A
N
N
Y
Y
D
a09
Ripon
Flora
R
A
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
C+
a10
Elk Grove
Nguyen
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a11
Fairfield
Wilson
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a12
San Rafael
Connolly
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a13
Stockton
Villapudua
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
B
a14
Oakland
Wicks
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a15
Concord
Grayson
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a16
San Ramon
Bauer-Kahan
D
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
B
a17
San Francisco
Haney
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A+
a18
Oakland
Bonta
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a19
San Francisco
Ting
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a20
Hayward
Ortega
D
Y
Y
Y
A
A
A
C+
a21
San Mateo
Papan
D
Y
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
A22
Modesto
Alanis
R
A
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
B-
a23
Palo Alto
Berman
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A-
a24
Milpitas
Lee
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A+
a25
San Jose
Kalra
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A+
a26
Cupertino
Low
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a27
Merced
Soria
D
Y
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a28
Santa Cruz
Pellerin
D
Y
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a29
Salinas
Rivas
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
B
a30
San Luis Obispo
Addis
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a31
Fresno
Arambula
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A-
a32
Bakersfield
*** Vacant
R
N
A
N
a33
Visalia
Mathis
R
Y
A
N
n
Y
Y
C
a34
Palmdale
Lackey
R
A
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
B-
a35
Bakersfield
Bains
D
Y
Y
A
A
Y
Y
B-
a36
Coachella
Garcia
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A-
a37
Santa Barbara
Hart
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a38
Ventura
Bennett
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A-
a39
Hesperia
Carrillo
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a40
Santa Clarita
Schiavo
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a41
Pasadena
Holden
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a42
Thousand Oaks
Irwin
D
Y
Y
A
N
A
Y
C-
a43
Arleta
Rivas
D
Y
Y
Y
A
Y
Y
A
a44
Burbank
Friedman
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a45
Rancho Cucamonga
Ramos
D
A
Y
Y
Y
A
Y
C
a46
Woodland Hills
Gabriel
D
A
Y
Y
Y
A
Y
C
a47
Palm Springs
Wallis
R
Y
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a48
W. Covina
Rubio
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a49
Monterey Park
Fong
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a50
San Bernardino
Reyes
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a51
Santa Monica
Zbur
D
Y
A
Y
Y
Y
A
A
a52
Los Angeles
Carrillo
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a53
Chino
Rodriguez
D
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
B-
a54
Los Angeles
Santiago
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a55
Culver City
Bryan
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a56
City of Industry
Calderon
D
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
B
a57
S. Los Angeles
Jones-Sawyer
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A+
a58
Corona
Cervantes
D
Y
Y
Y
A
A
A
C
a59
Brea
Chen
R
A
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
C+
a60
Perris
Jackson
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a61
Inglewood
McKinnor
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a62
Lakewood
Rendon
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a63
Riverside
Essayli
R
A
Y
A
A
A
Y
D+
a64
Downey
Pacheco
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a65
Compton
Gipson
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A-
a66
Torrance
Muratsuchi
D
A
Y
N
A
N
Y
D+
A67
Fullerton
Quirk-Silva
D
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A-
a68
Anaheim
Valencia
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a69
Long Beach
Lowenthal
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a70
Garden Grove
Ta
R
N
A
N
A
A
A
D-
a71
Murrietta
Sanchez
R
n
A
N
A
Y
Y
D+
a72
Orange Co
Dixon
R
N
Y
N
N
Y
Y
D
a73
Irviine
Petrie-Norris
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A-
a74
San Juan Capistrano
Davies
R
N
Y
N
N
Y
Y
D
a75
Escondido
Waldron
R
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
B
a76
San Diego
Maienschein
D
Y
Y
Y
A
Y
Y
B-
a77
Carlsbad
Boerner-Horvath
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A-
a78
San Diego
Ward
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
a79
La Mesa
Weber
D
Y
Y
A
A
Y
Y
B
a80
Chula Vista
Alvarez
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A-
Over 600 Americans Arrested Daily for Marijuana — Enough Is Enough
At NORML, this is a stark reminder of why we do the work that we do and how much more still needs to be done.
The post Over 600 Americans Arrested Daily for Marijuana — Enough Is Enough appeared first on NORML.
NORML Files Notice of Intent to Participate in DEA’s Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing
“We believe NORML has well earned a seat at the table, and that it is in the public interest for it to be heard.”
The post NORML Files Notice of Intent to Participate in DEA’s Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing appeared first on NORML.
The 2024 California Voters Guide For Cannabis Candidates & Measures
Read about all federal and state races, candidates’ voting records, and more at NORML’s Smoke the Vote Guide
Every registered voter in California will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the November election.
The deadline to register to vote online. 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.
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
U.S. House District 13 (Modesto)
John Duarte
Adam Gray
Incumbent John Duarte (R) and Adam Gray (D) are running in the general election for California’s 13th Congressional District on November 5, 2024. The race is a rematch from 2022, when Duarte defeated Gray by 564 votes. The 2022 race was the second-closest House race in the country that year.
Gray (Democratic Party) was a member of the California State Assembly, representing District 21. He assumed office on December 3, 2012. He left office on December 5, 2022. (San Mateo, Papan)
Gray has 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 impacted cannabis.
U.S. House District 16 (Palo Alto / Pacifica)
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 30 (Pasadena)
In this race to replace Adam Schiff, Asm. Laura Friedman boasts a good voting record on cannabis. Her opponent is Republican Alex Balekian, an MD from Glendale
California’s 22nd Congressional District election, 2024 – David Valadao (R-Inc.) v. Rudy Salas (D)
NEITHER GREAT. SALAS VOTING RECORD NOT GREAT. NO ENDORCEMENT THERE.
California’s 27th Congressional District election, 2024 – Mike Garcia (R-Inc.) v. George Whitesides (D)
U.S. House District 31 (San Gabriel Valley)
Another open-seat race to replace Grace Napolitano.
Former Rep. Gil Cisneros served a term in Congress from Orange County in 2019-20 before losing his seat to Republican Young Kim. While there, he cosponsored medicinal cannabis and banking bills, advocated descheduling, and voted to protect state legalization laws. A lottery millionaire and philanthropist, he was appointed Under Secretary of Defense by President Biden and is now running to re-enter Congress. He faces Republican Daniel Martinez.
California’s 41st Congressional District election, 2024 – Ken Calvert (R-Inc.) v. Will Rollins (D)
California’s 45th Congressional District election, 2024 – Michelle Steel (R-Inc.) v. Derek Tran (D)
California’s 47th Congressional District election, 2024 – Scott Baugh (R), Dave Min (D) (Katie Porter seat)
KEY STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES
SENATE VOTING RECORDS
Dist.
City
LastName
Party
SB 700
AB 1207
AB 374
AB 1775
AB 1111
SB 1059
COMMENTS
S01
Redding
Dahle, Brian
R
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
SHAME
S02
Eureka
McGuire
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
HONOR
S03
Vacaville
Dodd
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S04
Oakdale
Alvarado-Gil
R
A
N
Y
Y
N
Y
S05
Modesto
Eggman
D
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
S06
Roseville
Niello
R
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
S07
Orinda
Glazer
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
Y
S08
Sacramento
Ashby
D
Y
Y
Y
A
Y
Y
s09
Oakland
Skinner
D
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
S10
Fremont
Wahab
D
Y
N
Y
N
N
Y
S11
San Francisco
Wiener
D
Y
N
Y
Y
N
Y
S12
Yucca Valley
Grove
R
N
N
A
Y
Y
Y
S13
San Mateo
Becker
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S14
Salinas
Caballero
D
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
S15
Campbell
Cortese
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S16
Hanford
Hurtado
R
N
Y
A
N
N
A
S17
Santa Cruz
Laird
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S18
Chula Vista
Padilla
D
Y
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
S19
Santa Barbara
Limón
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S20
Van Nuys
Menjivar
D
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
S21
Lancaster
Wilk
R
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
S22
West Covina
Rubio
D
A
Y
Y
A
A
A
s23
Redlands
Ochoa Bogh
R
N
A
A
N
A
Y
S24
Redondo Beach
Allen
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S25
Glendale
Portantino
D
Y
Y
Y
A
A
Y
S26
Los Angeles
Durazo
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S27
Calabasas
Stern
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S28
Los Angeles
Smallwood-Cuevas
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
Y
S29
Fullerton
Newman
D
Y
A
Y
Y
Y
Y
S30
Norwalk
Archuleta
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
A
S31
Riverside
Roth
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S32
Murrietta
Seyarto
R
N
A
N
N
A
Y
S33
Long Beach
Gonzalez
D
Y
A
Y
Y
A
Y
S34
Santa Ana
Umberg
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S35
Inglewood
Bradford
D
Y
A
Y
Y
A
Y
S36
Orange Co
Nguyen
R
N
Y
N
N
N
A
S37
Irvine
Min
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S38
Encinitas
Blakespear
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S39
San Diego
Atkins
D
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
S40
Escondido
Jones
R
N
A
N
N
Y
Y
State Senate District 7 (Berkeley/Oakland)
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.
State Senate District 19 (Santa Barbara / Ventura)
Incumbent Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh has posted a poor voting record. She faces Democratic challenger Lisa Middleton.
SEND QUESTIONNAIRE
State Senate District 23 (Santa Maria, Palmdale, Hesperia)
Democrat Kipp Mueller’s workers for the U.S. Department of Justice consumer protection branch under President Barack Obama, and is a workers rights and pro bono asylum attorney with the Catholic Charities of Los Angeles Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project.
He’s running against Suzette Martinez Valladares, a former Republican Assemblymember who lost her reelection bid by about 500 votes to Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo in 2022. One of the more moderate Republicans in the Assembly, Valladares posted a weak voting record, opposing employment rights and taking a walk on other important bills, but supporting interstate commerce.
State Senate District 35 (Compton, Inglewood, Long Beach)
Michelle Chambers
Laura Richardson
Richardson likely winner, briefly in Congress and before in CA Legislature. Both will be great
Laura Richardson served in the Assembly in 2006 for a year before being elected to Congress in a special election in 2007 and serving until 2013, is looking to make a comeback to the Legislature to replace Sen. Steven Bradford, who is leaving due to term limits.
Chambers has worked as the external affairs manager for the California Department of Justice.
QUESTIONNAIRE
ASSEMBLY
Assembly District 7 – (Rancho Cordova, Folsom)
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 26 – (Santa Clara, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, parts of San Jose)
Two young Democrats are vying for this seat: Patrick Ahrens and Tara Sreekrishnan.
PAM SPOKE WITH TARA, TIGHT RACE. UNCLEAR WHO WILL WIN. BOTH VERY YOUNG. FORMER LEG STAFFERS. BOTH GREAT ON CANNABIS. PATRICK LGBTQ/ TARA WOMAN. PROBABLY PATRICK. QUESTIONNARIE. SLIGHTLY STRONGER.
Assembly District 27 – (Merced, Los Banos, Madera)
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.
100% SORIA, VOTED WELL. EVEN THOUGH MODERATE DISTRICT. TOP PRIORITY FOR SPEAKER, REPUBLICAN TRYING HARD TO TAKE SORIA OUT.
First-term Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, a Merced Democrat, got the scare of her political life in the primary, when she finished behind Republican Joanna Garcia Rose, a tax auditor who had raised less than $50,000 at that point. Now the GOP senses a prime opportunity to flip a seat, cutting into the Democratic supermajority in Sacramento by capitalizing on voter frustration over the economy and crime. It will be a tough task.
Assembly District 40 – (Santa Clarita)
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.
VERY IMPORANT ALSO, SCHIAVO SUPER GOOD AND PROGRESSIVE, THE TOP PRIORITY FOR SPEAKER, MOST CONTESTED RACE. LOTS OF MONEY. PICKED A DAY AND TRIED TO MOBILIZE VOLUNTEERS AND A DAY OF PRECINCT WALKING.
Assembly District 47 – (Rural San Bernardino and Riverside Counties)
Here young Republican 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.
TWO YEARS AGO CHRISTY THOUGHT HAD WON, WALLIS IS GOOD. OUT OF ALL 80 RACES THIS IS TOUGHEST TO PREDICT. COULD BE THE ONE THAT CHANGES HANDS. WOULD REACH OUT TO CHRISTY ABOUT LETTER FROM PALM SPRINGS TO GOVERNOR ON AB 1775.
Assembly District 57 – (South Los Angeles)
Vying for this seat being vacated by cannabis advocate Reggie Jones-Sawyer are Democrats Efren Martinez and Sade Elhawary.
BOTH GOOD. POOR LATINO COMMUNITY. SADE BORN THERE BUT HAS LIVED IN PASADENA. FURTHER TO LEFT BUT OUTSIDER, IDENTITY POLITICS. QUESTIONNAIRE.
Martinez, a Marine veteran who has served as the executive director of the Florence-Firestone/Walnut Park Chamber of Commerce, has vowed to prioritize “community policing” that focuses on prevention and emphasizes positive interactions with law enforcement. In 2020, Martinez ran against Jones-Sawyer in a tight race, collecting 42% of the vote, in which he enjoyed the support of the California Correctional Peace Officers who opposed the Jones-Sawyer’s criminal justice reform efforts.
Elhawary, an educator and community organizer, has worked for the Community Coalition, an organization dedicated to the racially “exacerbated socioeconomic inequities” in South L.A. that was founded by Mayor Karen Bass. She also worked on Bass’ mayoral campaign in 2022. She has named universal healthcare, reproductive justice and equity issues such as equal pay and paid family leave as priorities if elected.
Assembly District 75 – (Inland San Diego County)
Two Republicans are contenders for this seat, Carl DeMaio and Andrew Hayes.
TOTALLY DEMAIO ALL THE WAY, KIND OF AN A-HOLE BUT LIBERTARIAN LEANING SAN DIEGO, LGBTQ, PRO CHOICE. VERY LIKELY TO WIN, NAME RECOGNITION. SD ASA GOOD RECORD AS MAYOR. HAYES NICE GUY, STAFFER,
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
Mayoral election in San Francisco, California (2024)
Sheng Thao recall, Oakland, California (2024)
Alameda Co Dist 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 victims advocate/councilmember John J. Bauters.
web: nikki4supervisor.com
email: info@nikki4supervisor.com
web: bautersforsupervisor.com
email: bautersforsupervisor@gmail.com
Kevin McCarty for El Dorado Supervisor
McCarty 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.
Caity Maple for Sacramento City Council – District 5
Sacramento City Council – District 4? (Katie V’s seat.
https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/article292765869.html
Caity Maple is an obvious candidate for us, given her experience as a lobbyist for the cannabis industry.
In contrast, Councilman Eric Guerra comes off as a villain.
Begin forwarded message:
From: “Brett Stone (zz4320[at]gmail.com)” <owner-dpfca_news@drugsense.org>
Subject: DPFCA_NEWS: SacBee: Cannabis lounges won’t come to Sacramento if fear-mongering wins out over reason | Opinion
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?
Following a 2023 voter initiative, the Duarte City council on June 25 adopted a resolution to add a Cannabis Retail Sales and Tax Measure to the Nov. 5 ballot.
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. The Board could increase or decrease the rate of the Cannabis Business Tax by no more than one-half percent (0.5%) per calendar year, excluding any CPI Adjustments, and could also adopt a registration fee for cannabis businesses. Taxes would not apply to personal Cannabis cultivation or personal use of Cannabis, to the extent those activities are authorized in the “Medicinal and Adult Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act,” provided that the individual receives no compensation whatsoever related to that personal cultivation or use. If a Person is unable to comply with any Tax requirement imposed under this Chapter due to a disaster impacting its Cannabis Business, the Person may notify the Treasurer-Tax Collector of its inability to comply and request relief from the Tax requirement.
Failure to pay taxes would result in a penalty equal to ten percent (10%) of the amount of the Tax, in addition to the amount of the Tax, plus interest on the unpaid Tax calculated from the due date of the Tax at the rate of one percent (1%) per month. If the Tax remains unpaid for a period exceeding one calendar month beyond the due date, an additional penalty equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount of the Tax, plus interest at the rate of one percent (1%) per month on the unpaid Tax and on the unpaid penalties. The Treasurer-Tax Collector may, within three (3) years after the amount is due record with any county recorder in the State of California a certificate of lien. At any time within ten (10) years after a certificate of lien has been recorded, the Treasurer-Tax Collector may issue a warrant for the enforcement of any liens and for the collection of any amount required to be paid to the County.
(The Turlock City Council voted earlier this year to accept the recommendations of the Cannabis Ad-Hoc Committee and put a proposed cannabis tax on the November ballot. But apparently the city did not manage to make the ballot. Instead, businesses are operating under development agreements, whereby cannabis retailers pay the city a public benefit amount of no less than $25,000 per month or 5.25 percent of its gross receipts. That minimum public benefit amount increases to $35,000 after one year and then $45,000 after the fourth year of the agreement.)
VISALIA CANNABIS TAX AUTHORIZATION MEASURE
Would tax cannabis businesses at a rate not exceeding 10% or up to $10/square foot of cultivation.
Visalia allocated $85,000 to HDL Company and FM3 Research from the general fund to study and craft language for the ballot measure. Also see: Visalia voters to decide on taxing cannabis, not legalizing it.
Ballotpedia tracks local measures, but usually not until later:
https://ballotpedia.org/California_2024_local_ballot_measures#November_5
Governor Newsom Signs Cal NORML-Sponsored Cannabis Café Bill into Law
In a strong showing of support for the California cannabis industry and legal consumers, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law the cannabis café bill AB 1775 (Haney), to allow licensed cannabis lounges to sell non-alcoholic food and drinks, as well as tickets to onsite concerts, with local government approval.
“We thank Governor Newsom for this much-needed support of social use by California’s cannabis consumers, as well as supporting the state’s cannabis industry in this way,” said Cal NORML director Dale Gieringer.
“Lots of people want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others,” said the bill’s author Asm. Matt Haney, Chair of the Select Committee on Downtown Recovery. “And many people want to do that while sipping coffee, eating a scone, or listeA lively café with lush greenery hanging from the ceiling and walls. People are engaged in conversation, while others are seated at tables with food and drinks. The atmosphere is cozy and vibrant, mixing rustic décor and comfortable seating—a true haven reminiscent of a cannabis café bill envisioning community spaces. CA Normlning to music. There’s absolutely no good reason from an economic, health or safety standpoint that the state should make that illegal. If an authorized cannabis retail store wants to also sell a cup of coffee and a sandwich, we should allow cities to make that possible and stop holding back these small businesses.”
A previous version of the bill, AB 374, was vetoed last year by Governor Newsom, who urged in his veto message to reintroduce the bill to include more protections for cannabis workers. This year, Assemblymember Haney reintroduced the bill with the support of the United Commercial and Food Workers to ensure cannabis lounge workers are protected from secondhand smoke impacts at work. The Governor’ signing statement on AB 1775 contained some cautionary words to local governments about making sure workers are protected.
Cal NORML sponsored this year’s cannabis café bill, and supporters sent in over 700 letters of support for AB 1775 to their lawmakers, half of them to the Governor. Thanks to all who took action!
The bill also had some Hollywood star-power support from cannabis entrepreneurs Woody Harrelson and Whoopi Goldberg, both of whom recorded videos asking Newsom to sign it. Also joining the call to sign AB 1775 was comedian and cannabis activist Bill Maher.
Bullet points / Background:
• Cannabis consumers and tourists in California have limited places where they can socialize legally. Consumption is currently restricted to licensed cannabis lounges, which can’t serve coffee or fresh food, or provide entertainment. As we all learned during COVID, the lack of socialization can have serious health consequences.
• AB 1775 does not allow coffee shops or restaurants to sell cannabis; instead, licensed retailers that operate cannabis lounges would be allowed to sell non-alcoholic drinks and food. Giving this industry the chance to grow will create jobs and help their cities and communities thrive, and in turn will benefit the medical patients and consumers who rely on industry products for pain and symptom management, or for recreation.
• Local nuisance ordinances governing cannabis lounges have properly restricted odors from other spaces, and AB 1775 was amended to require food preparation and smoking areas to be separated, in order to answer worker-safety objections raised by the governor when he vetoed a similar bill last year.
• According to an MPP overview of the 12 states that allow cannabis consumption lounges, 6 states allow food and beverage service.
Watch a press conference held on 9/6 at The Woods in West Hollywood with Asm. Haney, West Hollywood mayor John Erickson, vice mayor Chelsea Lee Byers, Ian Rassman of LA NORML, and a representative from The Woods.
FBI: Nearly One Quarter of All Drug-Related Arrests Are for Marijuana Possession
“Hundreds of thousands of Americans continue to be arrested annually for low-level cannabis-related violations even though a majority of voters no longer believe that the responsible use of marijuana by adults should be a crime.”
The post FBI: Nearly One Quarter of All Drug-Related Arrests Are for Marijuana Possession appeared first on NORML.
NORML Op-Ed: Both Presidential Candidates Agree: We Need to Stop Arresting People for Marijuana
At a time when voters and politicians are historically divided, there is one issue that Americans largely agree upon: It’s time to legalize marijuana.
The post NORML Op-Ed: Both Presidential Candidates Agree: We Need to Stop Arresting People for Marijuana appeared first on NORML.
Study: Sustained Use of Medical Cannabis Is Not Associated With Changes in Either Brain Morphology or Cognitive Performance
“Our results suggest that adults who use cannabis … experience few significant long-term neural associations in these areas of cognition.”
The post Study: Sustained Use of Medical Cannabis Is Not Associated With Changes in Either Brain Morphology or Cognitive Performance appeared first on NORML.
Sidebar