Vote in Legislature Set for August on AB 2188, Other Reform Bills
California has a chance to catch up with other states that protect employment rights for off-the-job cannabis consumers this year, with a California NORML–sponsored bill AB 2188 (Quirk).
The bill would disallow job discrimination based on urine or hair tests that detect only inactive metabolites of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, and thus are able to pick up use days or weeks before a test. It would still allow the use of oral swab or computer-based performance tests that are a better indicator of recent use, or impairment.
AB 2188 would allow an employer to take action against employees who are impaired on the job, and has exemptions for federal workers and those in the construction industry. It is supported by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), California Nurses Association, CA Board of Registered Nursing, and UDW/AFSCME Local 3930. It is also supported by the California Employment Lawyers Association, United Cannabis Business Association, Cannabis Equity Policy Council, Americans for Safe Access, and California Cannabis Industry Association, among others.
The bill has passed through the California Assembly and the Senate Judiciary and Labor committees, and has been assigned to the Appropriations suspense file. If it passes through at its August 11 committee hearing, it will move to the Senate floor for a vote. Please Write a Letter to Your State Senator in Support of AB 2188.
The California Chamber of Commerce has removed the bill from its “job killer” list after amendments were taken in the Senate, necessitating the bill moving back to the Assembly for a concurrence vote, before heading to the Governor’s desk. All bills must be voted on in the legislature by the end of August.
“Cannabis is legal in California, and workers have a right to engage in legal activity while away from the job. Yet countless workers and job applicants are losing job opportunities or being fired because they test positive for legal, off-the-job use of marijuana on account of indiscriminate urine and hair metabolite tests,” said Cal NORML director Dale Gieringer. “Scientific studies have failed to show that urine testing is effective at preventing workplace accidents. Numerous studies have found that workers who test positive for metabolites have no higher risk of workplace accidents.”
“Ironically, under current drug testing rules, workers may use addictive opiates for medical use, but are forbidden to use medical cannabis, which has been shown to reduce opiate use,” Gieringer continued.
“Twenty-one states currently have laws protecting employment rights for medical cannabis users, and five states (Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Montana and Connecticut) plus several cities (New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Baltimore, Kansas City MO, Rochester NY and Richmond VA) protect recreational cannabis consumers’ employment rights,” added Cal NORML Deputy Director Ellen Komp. “California, a global leader in progressive causes, still has no protections for its workers who consume cannabis. It’s high time to change that and protect California’s workers.”
OTHER CANNABIS REFORM BILLS ALSO ADVANCE
Also passing on the floors of their respective houses are:
AB 1954 (Quirk), another Cal NORML-sponsored bill, which would protect the right of patients to medical treatment if they use marijuana, and the right of physicians and clinics to treat them. This bill has passed on the Assembly floor and in the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development and Appropriations committees, and will be voted on in the Senate this month. Write a Letter to Your State Senator in Support of AB 1954.
AB 1706 (Bonta), which would expedite expungement of past marijuana convictions in California. It has passed through the Assembly and the Senate Public Safety Committee, and is in the Senate Appropriations suspense file. Tell Your State Senator to Vote for AB 1706.
SB 1186 (Wiener), to require all local governments to permit access to medicinal cannabis in either a licensed dispensary or via delivery, has passed on the Senate floor in the Assembly Business & Professions and Judiciary committees, where Cal NORML testified in favor of the bill. It is now in the Assembly Appropriations suspense file. Please Send a Letter to Your Assemblymember in Support of SB 1186.
AB 2595 (Jones-Sawyer), which would require the State Department of Social Services to treat a parent’s use of cannabis in the same manner as alcohol or legally prescribed medication. It has passed through the Assembly and the Senate Human Services, Judiciary, and Appropriations committees and is up for a vote on the Senate floor. Write to Your State Senator in Support of AB 2595.
SB 998(Hueso) to amend Ryan’s Law requiring health care facilities to allow cannabis use by terminally ill patients. It has passed through the Senate and the Assembly Health committees and Appropriations and heads for a vote on the Assembly floor. Write a Letter in Support of SB 998.
A bill Cal NORML opposes, SB 1097, which would require costly, badly designed new label warnings on all cannabis products. It has passed in the Senate and the Assembly Business & Professions committee, is in the Assembly Appropriations suspense file. TELL YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER TO VOTE AGAINST SB 1097.
AB 1885 (Kalra), allowing veterinarians to recommend cannabis products. It has passed through the Assembly and the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development committee and is in the Senate Appropriations suspense file. You can send a support letter on AB 1885 via https://petcannabis.org/
AB 2210 (Quirk – temporary cannabis event licenses). Has passed in the Assembly and the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development committee. Passed through Senate Governmental Organization and Appropriations committees; heading for vote on Senate floor.
The post Marijuana-Using Californians Could Win Employment Rights this Year appeared first on CaNorml.org.
This year for the first time, the California State Fair will recognize and award cannabis cultivators.
Cal NORML will celebrate our 50th Anniversary at the Fair on Saturday, July 23 with two panels in the Cannabis Exhibit, where the winners will be celebrated and an interactive and immersive display will celebrate the history, culture, and pioneers of California cannabis.
Sponsored by Glass House Brands
4:00 – 4:45 PM
Sustainability, Equity and More
Efforts to bring environmental sustainability, organic standards, and equity to the cannabis industry in California.
Graham Farar, Glass House Brands – Sustainable cannabis cultivation
Khalil Ferguson, United CORE Alliance – Social Equity in Cannabis
Omar Figueroa, Esq. – Organic certification and appellations programs for cannabis cultivators
Sponsored by PAX
5:00 – 5:45 PM
The Past, Present and Future of Cannabis Reform in California
Starting 50 years ago with the founding of Cal NORML and the 1972 California Marijuana Initiative, this panel will give an overview of the journey for our rights and the challenges that remain for cannabis consumers and businesses.
Dale Gieringer, Cal NORML – 50 Years of cannabis activism in California
Ellen Komp, Cal NORML – Current campaigns for consumer rights
Lauren Mendelsohn, Esq. – Ongoing campaigns for equality in cannabis businesses
Tickets to attend the Fair start at $12 if purchased by July 14.
It will be held at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento. Get directions.
The CA Cannabis Exhibit will be in Expo Center Building 1.
The post Cal NORML Hosts Panels at 2022 State Fair appeared first on CaNorml.org.
On Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 4:00- 5:30 pm, Cal NORML Board Members and California cannabis policy experts Hirsh Jain and Lauren Mendelsohn will host a webinar to discuss the most critical issues facing the California cannabis industry.
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR MCLE CREDITS, WHICH ARE NOW PENDING.
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW:
PUBLIC: $25 (SCHOLARSHIP OPTIONS AVAILABLE: WRITE HERE).
CAL NORML ATTORNEY MEMBERS: $50 (WITH 1.5 HOURS CLE CREDITS – pending)
NON-MEMBER ATTORNEYS: $75 (WITH 1.5 HOURS CLE CREDITS – pending)
Lauren and Hirsh will be providing updates and their commentary on five key topics:
• Tax reform efforts at the state and local level
• The expansion of retail licensing across the state
• The impact of the provisional license deadline / CEQA compliance
• Growth in California’s illicit market
• The impact of new DCC regulations
Lauren and Hirsh will also field questions on, and lead an interactive discussion about, these five issues and how they might impact the trajectory of the California cannabis industry in the years ahead.
Proceeds will go to support Cal NORML’s efforts to promote cannabis access and protect the rights of cannabis consumers in California.
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW
Lauren Mendelsohn is a Senior Associate at The Law Offices at Omar Figueroa, one of the leading cannabis law firms in the California cannabis space. Lauren focuses on cannabis permitting and licensing, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, government affairs (including drafting local ordinances and citizen initiatives, lobbying decision-making bodies, and appearing for clients at administrative hearings), and post-conviction relief.
Hirsh Jain is the Founder of Ananda Strategy, a consultancy that serves many of California’s leading cannabis brands and retailers, helping guide their competitive licensing efforts, expansion strategy, regulatory compliance and M&A activity within California.
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW
The post Leading Issues in California Cannabis Law and Policy: Online Webinar on Thursday, August 25 appeared first on CaNorml.org.
By Oaksterdam University
Cultivating cannabis is a rewarding hobby, which is why approximately 6% of consumers in the United States grow their own, and that number continues to rise. The overwhelming majority of home growers— 70% percent — say they grow simply because they enjoy it.
In addition to growing for pleasure, there are other reasons people start personal gardens. According to a recent survey by New Frontiers Data, home growers report that it’s more convenient, less expensive, and higher quality than purchasing cannabis at a dispensary. They also like to ensure their flower is free of pesticides.
Thirty-six percent say they grow cultivars they can’t find anywhere else, and 14% report that growing is their only option.
If you want to join the trend and grow your own, it’s essential to start with a plan.
Here are some things to consider to set yourself up for success:
Make a Budget: If saving money is your goal, calculate how much you currently spend on cannabis, then choose a garden design that works within your budget and helps you cut costs.
Growing outdoors is the cheapest option because you can plant directly in the soil and use the sun. Indoor gardens require a larger initial investment but will give you more control and is a better option for people who live in a cold climate or plan to do many cycles. If you’re just starting and have limited space, consider a grow tent that comes with lights, fans, and other necessary equipment.
Choose a Space: If you plan to grow outdoors, observe possible locations throughout the day, and select the area that gets the most consistent sun. You’ll also need to make sure you can efficiently irrigate your garden and keep it safe from animals and pests.
Indoors, the primary consideration is size.
Privacy and odor mitigation are factors indoors and out, so consider how your garden will impact your family, neighbors, and guests.
Select Genetics: An exciting aspect of growing your own cannabis is that you can cultivate any variety you can get access to. Factors like location, light source, and schedule all come into play when choosing a variety. Ruderalis can be an excellent choice for outdoor gardens because it grows quickly and you can turn a lot of crops in mild climates. Indoors, you will want to avoid sativas because they grow too tall, while in a tent, you’ll want small plants that grow densely and finish quickly.
You’ll also have to decide between starting from seeds or clones. Beginners will likely have more success with clones because they are faster to start and guaranteed to be female. If you start from seeds, you’ll need to pay close attention to root out males before they pollinate females — and potentially neighbors’ nearby gardens.
Pick Your Medium: Many people think soil is associated with better quality, while others swear by hydroponics. There are benefits and drawbacks to each. Soil is free in your backyard, and bagged potting soil is inexpensive and readily available. However, it’s messy, and you won’t have as much control over the nutrient balance your plants receive. Hydroponics is cleaner, and you can experiment with nutrients to maximize your yields, but it requires more skill, knowledge and perhaps a more high-tech system to ensure your plants are getting what they need. As you plan, look into the various mediums available and decide what’s right for you.
Find a Friend: Everyone needs a source of quality information for cannabis cultivation. There are many online resources, but how will you know what is credible? It is helpful to have someone in real life to consult. Is there an experienced grower in your social circle who can help you achieve your goals? It might be an acquaintance or professional at your local hydroponics store. Many schools and colleges, like Oaksterdam University, offer classes taught by seasoned professionals who can help you avoid costly mistakes. Every Friday, Oaksterdam also hosts a free plant talk on Clubhouse, where cannabis horticulturists answer questions in real-time. Another great resource is the Cannabis Growers Handbook by Ed Rosenthal, Dr. Robert Flannery and Angela Bacca.
Growing cannabis can be extremely rewarding. Plants require lots of nurturing and troubleshooting, and it can be costly and time-consuming to grow your own. Careful planning can help avoid problems and set you up for success.
The post Want to Grow Cannabis? Start with a Plan appeared first on CaNorml.org.
The Cal NORML-sponsored Employment Rights for cannabis users bill has passed through its committees in the California Assembly and will head to a floor vote this week. If you haven’t done so, please TELL YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER TO VOTE YES ON AB 2188 FOR CANNABIS USERS’ EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS IN CALIFORNIA.
Also passing through their Appropriations committee hearings and heading to the floor are:
• AB 1954, another Cal NORML-sponsored bill, would protect the right of patients to medical treatment if they use marijuana, and the right of physicians and clinics to treat them. Many physicians are under the mistaken impression that they can’t prescribe pain medication to patients who test positive for cannabis. TELL YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER TO VOTE FOR AB 1954.
• A bill Cal NORML opposes, SB 1097, which would require costly, badly designed new label warnings on all cannabis products. PLEASE TELL YOUR STATE SENATOR TO VOTE AGAINST SB 1097.
• SB 1281 (Bradford), the only proposed legislation that would eliminate the cannabis cultivation tax while also lowering the state excise tax. Gov. Newsom’s budget proposal to end the cultivation tax would raise the excise tax from 15% to 19% if cannabis tax revenues fall below $670 million. The budget must be approved by the legislature by June 15. TELL YOUR STATE SENATOR YOU SUPPORT SB 1281.
• AB 1706 (Bonta), which would expedite expungement of past marijuana convictions in California.
TELL YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER TO VOTE FOR EXPEDITED CLEARING OF PAST MARIJUANA CONVICTIONS
• AB 2691 (Wood), to allow small cannabis farmers to sell their products as a limited number of events every year.
Support AB 2691 to Allow Temporary Retail Event Licenses to Small Cannabis Farmers
• AB 2595, which would require the State Department of Social Services to treat a parent’s use of cannabis in the same manner as alcohol or legally prescribed medication. TELL YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER TO VOTE FOR AB 2595.
• AB 1885, allowing veterinarians to recommend cannabis products. You can send a support letter on AB 1885 via https://petcannabis.org/
Please support Cal NORML’s advocacy efforts in 2022! Click Here to Donate or here to join or renew your individual membership, or take advantage of our April business membership and banner ads specials below.
CAL NORML 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIALS (through 5/31).
Business Membership Special:
Join Cal NORML and grow your business
$450 for one-year business membership ($50 off)
Includes a listing on CaNORML.org and other multi-platform promotional benefits.
Banner Ad Special:
Increase your support and expand your presence on CaNORML.org
$50 off first two months of your banner ad on CaNORML.org — $100 savings
Reserve your targeted space by contacting kharla@canorml.org or 707-337-9747
The post Employment Rights, Pain Patients Rights, and Other Cannabis Bills Head for Floor Votes This Week in California Legislature appeared first on CaNorml.org.
Here are Cal NORML’s recommendations for pro-cannabis candidates in key or contentious races for the June 7 Primary Election in California. Send any input about other races for this guide here.
Rob Bonta for Attorney General
Bonta has long been a strong friend and supporter of and reasonable voice for cannabis law reform. In 2015, he was one of the Assemblymembers who drafted a set of bills that licensed and regulated medical cannabis, and he repeatedly worked to lower taxes on cannabis in the legislature. In 2018, Asm. Bonta authored Cal NORML’s employment rights for medical marijuana users bill, and introduced AB 1793, which passed into law, creating an automatic pathway for Californians to have criminal convictions for cannabis-related offenses removed or reduced from their records. As AG, Bonta has worked with county officials to expedite the expungement process and announced his office would conduct a six-month review of the interagency CAMP (Campaign Against Marijuana Planting) program in October 2021.
In the nonpartisan primary, Bonta is running against Republicans Eric Early, who is for gun rights and against critical race theory, and Nathan Hochman, an Assistant US Attorney who prosecuted “narcotics traffickers and violent gang members.” Candidate Daniel Kapelovitz of the Green Party also ran in the Newsom recall; Anne Marie Schubert, who is running as an Independent, is a former Republican who has been cozy with the police unions and opposed legalization.
Tom Lackey for re-election to Assembly District 34 (Apple Valley, California City, Barstow, Big Bear Lake, Twentynine Palms and parts of Hesperia, Highland, Lancaster, Palmdale, Victorville)
Lackey, a Republican and former CHP officer, co-sponsored legislation to license medical cannabis businesses in 2015. While supportive of medical access, in 2016 he opposed Prop. 64 to legalize recreational marijuana. Nonetheless, he has posted a good voting record in recent years. He sponsored bills to foster cannabis research, and worked with reform advocates to turn his DUI bill into a CHP task force, on which Cal NORML sat.
In this newly drawn district, Lackey will face Thurston Smith, who this year introduced a pair of bills to criminally or civilly penalize cannabis gardens as small as seven plants, a move seen as grandstanding in a region where Republican congressmen are making similar bluster. However, his office seems to have heard Cal NORML’s objections and his bill AB 2728 has been softened somewhat, removing the seven-plant mention.
Dave Jones for State Senate District 8 (Richmond/Fairfield/Solano County)
Jones has been a strong supporter of cannabis reform since his days in the Assembly. As State Insurance Commissioner, he was one of the few public officials to endorse Prop 64.
Yesenia Sanchez for Alameda County Sheriff
In this anyone-but-Ahern race, Sanchez has the endorsement of the Brownie Mary Club of Alameda County, who tells us Sanchez understands and supports protecting cannabis businesses, saying they should have equal protection as other businesses, and is concerned about the nonaction of Oakland police during recent robberies. She has a focus on mental health, so that prison is not a continuous cycle as it is now. Sanchez has the endorsement of the East Bay Times, which opposes Ahern’s reelection. Ahern has been particularly obstructionist to cannabis businesses in Alameda county.
Rebecca Kaplan for Alameda District 3 Supervisor
Kaplan has been a leading advocate of cannabis reform measures during her tenure as an Oakland City Councilwoman and Vice Mayor, most recently sponsoring a resolution to support Cal NORML’s employment rights for cannabis users bill. Here election would create a cannabis-friendly majority on the Board of Supervisors.
Diana Becton for Contra Costa D.A.
Becton is a progressive who has been proactive on issuing expungements for past marijuana convictions in Contra Costa county. She calls criminal justice reform a leading priority and was endorsed by George Soros’ progressive Real Justice PAC in her last election.
Steven Vargas for Orange County District 4 Supervisor
As a Brea city councilman, Vargas opposed a ban on medical marijuana cultivation in 2016, but opposed deliveries, citing a potential for theft.
Lori Saldaña for San Diego City Council, District 2
Saldaña was a strong advocate for marijuana law reform during her time in the state Assembly. She posted a solid pro-reform voting record, and in 2007 she sponsored a bill that would have made it state policy not to cooperate with DEA raids. In 2008, she co-authored Mark Leno’s Industrial Hemp bill and his Employment Rights for Medical Marijuana Users bill, which passed in the Legislature but was vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger.
Dave Myers for San Diego Sheriff
Myers has been openly critical of the county’s over-policing of the cannabis community. “I will enforce a sensible approach to marijuana that permits safe access over black-market options,” he said when he ran in 2018. “The Sheriff currently has only one full-time detective on opioid enforcement, but ten dedicated to marijuana enforcement. Have we ever seen an overdose death on marijuana?”
The post Primary Election Guide to Cannabis Candidates: June 2022 appeared first on CaNorml.org.
At Gov. Newsom’s press conference this morning announcing his May budget revision, he was asked about his proposal to end the cannabis cultivation tax while keeping the state excise tax at 15%. He announced a $150 million “backfill” from the General Fund to cover any temporary tax income reductions that may affect youth, environmental, or law enforcement programs that are currently funded with Prop. 64 taxes, while announcing a $21 million dollar grant program for local governments looking to open cannabis businesses.
Newsom thanked the people leading this effort, including Sen. Bradford, who just picked up an award at the Cal NORML / ASA Lobby Day for his work toward equity and fairness for cannabis in California. Bradford’s bill SB 1281 was the only legislative proposal this year to end the cultivation tax without raising excise taxes. Cal NORML testified in favor of Bradford’s bill last week in the Senate Governance and Finance committee.
The Governor also cited local governments’ lack of support by not allowing retail, distribution, and other cannabis businesses, in announcing his proposed grant program for locals. “This will be a multiyear process to get go after the illegal market and put the adult use market on steady ground,” he said.
Read the budget proposal.
In excerpt:
CANNABIS CANNABIS TAX REFORM
California’s current cannabis tax framework is overly complex and burdensome for licensees and consumers. Current tax policies disproportionately burden cannabis farmers, create additional administrative costs and instability throughout the supply chain, and lack sufficient transparency for the state, businesses, and consumers. Taken together, these outcomes undermine the societal benefits of a taxed and regulated market. The May Revision proposes statutory changes to reform cannabis taxes. These policy changes aim to greatly simplify the tax structure, remove unnecessary administrative burdens and costs, temporarily reduce the tax rate to support shifting consumers to the legal market, and stabilize the cannabis market with policies that are more transparent and can better adjust to market changes.
Major changes include:
• Setting the cultivation tax rate at zero beginning July 1, 2022.
• Shifting the point of collection and remittance for excise tax from distribution to retail on January 1, 2023, maintaining a 15 percent excise tax rate.
• Setting Allocation 3 funding for youth education/intervention/treatment, environmental restoration, and state and local law enforcement programs at a baseline of $670 million annually for three years. Up to $150 million one-time General Fund is available as needed through 2025-26 to backfill Allocation 3 funding, along with the authority to increase the excise tax rate through 2024-25 if tax revenues fall below the baseline for Allocation 3.
• Strengthening tax enforcement policies to increase tax compliance and collection and reduce unfair competition.
The post Gov. Newsom Proposes Ending Cannabis Cultivation Tax in California appeared first on CaNorml.org.
Cal NORML Board Members and California cannabis policy experts Lauren Mendelsohn and Hirsh Jain will be hosting a webinar to discuss the most critical issues facing the California cannabis industry. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 4:20 – 6 pm.
Lauren and Hirsh will be providing updates and their commentary on five key topics:
• Tax reform efforts at the state and local level
• The expansion of retail licensing across the state
• The impact of the provisional license deadline / CEQA compliance
• Growth in California’s illicit market
• The impact of new DCC regulations
Lauren and Hirsh will also field questions on, and lead an interactive discussion about, these five issues and how they might impact the trajectory of the California cannabis industry in the years ahead.
The suggested donation for those attending is $50, which will go to support Cal NORML’s efforts to promote cannabis access and protect the rights of cannabis consumers in California.
Lauren Mendelsohn is a Senior Associate at The Law Offices at Omar Figueroa, one of the leading cannabis law firms in the California cannabis space. Lauren focuses on cannabis permitting and licensing, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, government affairs (including drafting local ordinances and citizen initiatives, lobbying decision-making bodies, and appearing for clients at administrative hearings), and post-conviction relief.
Hirsh Jain is the Founder of Ananda Strategy, a consultancy that serves many of California’s leading cannabis brands and retailers, helping guide their competitive licensing efforts, expansion strategy, regulatory compliance and M&A activity within California.
Get tickets to the webinar.
The post Cal NORML Legal Webinar: Wednesday, June 15, 2022 appeared first on CaNorml.org.
Cal NORML Board Members and California cannabis policy experts Lauren Mendelsohn and Hirsh Jain will be hosting a webinar to discuss the most critical issues facing the California cannabis industry. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 4:20 – 6 pm.
Lauren and Hirsh will be providing updates and their commentary on five key topics:
• Tax reform efforts at the state and local level
• The expansion of retail licensing across the state
• The impact of the provisional license deadline / CEQA compliance
• Growth in California’s illicit market
• The impact of new DCC regulations
Lauren and Hirsh will also field questions on, and lead an interactive discussion about, these five issues and how they might impact the trajectory of the California cannabis industry in the years ahead.
The suggested donation for those attending is $50, which will go to support Cal NORML’s efforts to promote cannabis access and protect the rights of cannabis consumers in California.
Lauren Mendelsohn is a Senior Associate at The Law Offices at Omar Figueroa, one of the leading cannabis law firms in the California cannabis space. Lauren focuses on cannabis permitting and licensing, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, government affairs (including drafting local ordinances and citizen initiatives, lobbying decision-making bodies, and appearing for clients at administrative hearings), and post-conviction relief.
Hirsh Jain is the Founder of Ananda Strategy, a consultancy that serves many of California’s leading cannabis brands and retailers, helping guide their competitive licensing efforts, expansion strategy, regulatory compliance and M&A activity within California.
Get tickets to the webinar.
The post Cal NORML Legal Webinar: Wednesday, June 15, 2022 appeared first on CaNorml.org.
With California’s legal cannabis industry in dire straits due to high taxes and regulatory costs, California NORML called on legislators to pass a tax relief bill by Sen. Bradford (SB 1281) at a hearings before the State Senate Governance and Finance Committee on May 4. The Bradford bill would eliminate the state cultivation tax, which was designed to increase retail prices and reduce consumer demand. SB 1281 would also reduce the state’s excise taxes to make legal retailers more competitive with California’s underground market.
It’s estimated that only one-third of cannabis sold in California currently comes from the legal market. By reducing burdensome taxes, SB 1281 would expand the legal industry, producing enough revenue to boost the state’s total cannabis tax receipts in coming years, according to a new report from the Reason Foundation on the economic impact of California cannabis taxes on the legal market.
“Cannabis is grossly overtaxed in California,” says Cal NORML Director Dale Gieringer. “The state collects twice as much in excise taxes from cannabis as from alcohol, even though alcohol is more widely consumed and causes more societal harm.”
State and local cannabis taxes currently amount to some $735 – $1,000 per pound, more than the wholesale prices that farmers receive, which range around $550 – $300 per pound or lower. As a result, California’s legally licensed industry is hard pressed to compete with the untaxed illicit market.
“Cal NORML hears countless consumer complaints about the high cost of cannabis in our state,” says Gieringer. “Many low-income and medical users tell us they can’t afford buy on the legal market. SB 1281 would provide the kind of meaningful, permanent tax cuts that are needed to foster a viable legal industry in California and assure safe access to regulated and tested cannabis products for our state’s consumers.”
Californians can write to their legislators in support of SB 1281 here.
Cal NORML and Americans for Safe Access will be bringing citizen lobbyists from around the state to Sacramento in support of cannabis users’ employment rights, pain patients’ rights, tax relief and more at its Lobby Day on Tuesday, May 10. Senator Bradford will stop in at Lobby Day at 10 AM to talk about his legislative efforts, which also include an bill aimed at tax relief for equity businesses.
The post Cannabis Consumers Call for Tax Relief appeared first on CaNorml.org.