More than 150,000 licensed drivers have left the profession in recent years because of these zero-tolerance workplace drug testing policies.
The post NORML Op-Ed: Feds Must Change ‘Discriminatory’ Marijuana Testing Policies To Address Trucking Industry Labor Shortage appeared first on NORML.
Maine is the 25th state to enact legislation explicitly facilitating the expungement of marijuana-specific convictions.
The post Maine: Governor Signs Legislation Providing Pathway for Marijuana-Related Expungements appeared first on NORML.
“While expediting timelines may seem advantageous, the potential negatives embedded within the bill outweigh any perceived benefits. Patient access and rights must take precedence over expediency.”
The post Kentucky: Governor Signs Legislation Expediting Medical Cannabis Licensing, But Also Adding New Restrictions Upon Patients’ Access appeared first on NORML.
“As more states have adopted legalization, public support for this policy has risen dramatically among voters — regardless of party affiliation. Elected officials who refuse to take action to end cannabis criminalization do so at their own political peril.”
The post Polls: Most Americans Endorse Legalization, Say Cannabis Is Safer Than Either Alcohol or Tobacco appeared first on NORML.
April 20 is the most widely celebrated day in cannabis culture. This 4/20, we have plenty to celebrate.
The post Celebrate Our Success This 4/20 appeared first on NORML.
PHOTO: Citizen Lobbyists pictured with Sen. Nancy Skinner at a past Lobby Day.
All Californians are invited to attend the California NORML/Americans for Safe Access Citizen Lobby Day on Monday, May 6 in Sacramento. The event will bring supporters from across the state to meet with their state representatives and make our voices heard on pending legislation affecting the rights of cannabis consumers in California.
Attendees are encouraged sign up now so that appointments can be made in your lawmakers’ offices on Lobby Day.
Despite cannabis legalization in California, enacted by the voters with Prop. 64 in 2016, there remain obstacles to consumer access to safe, affordable cannabis products, and to the experience of enjoying it in consumption lounges,” said Ellen Komp, Deputy Director of Cal NORML. “Citizen Lobby Days go a long way towards building relationships with lawmakers, and erasing lingering stigmas against cannabis consumers. And they’re lots of fun!”
“It’s important to realize how important Lobby Day is, because more bills that have come to fruition in California have come from a Lobby Day,” said Richard Miller of Americans for Safe Access California Advisory Committee, pointing to a 2015 bill to end discrimination against medical marijuana patients who need organ transplants. “Past lobby days have helped bring about reforms such as employment rights for cannabis consumers, and medical rights for pain patients and others who use cannabis,” Miller added.
“Participating in Lobby Day is pivotal for civic engagement, as it empowers citizens to amplify their voices in legislative processes,” said Jakki Hernandez of Orange County NORML. “This event offers an inspiring environment for training, pairing newcomers with experienced attendees to foster camaraderie and guidance. Through this collaborative approach, advocacy efforts are strengthened, enhancing the community’s influence in shaping laws that impact them. By the conclusion of the day, newcomers become proficient in discussing the relevant bills, underscoring the importance of fighting for one’s beliefs through education and activation. Every individual should experience a lobby day to witness firsthand the significance of advocating for what they believe in.”
Sponsors for this year’s Lobby Day include Silver Sponsor KIVA Confections, and these Bronze sponsors: The Law Office of Shay Gilmore, The Green Cross, Ananda Strategy, PAX, The Law Offices of Omar Figueroa, Snowtill, Ispire, Ian Rassman, and the Brownie Mary Democratic Club of San Francisco.
“At Kiva, we believe in empowering consumers to shape the future of cannabis by championing responsible consumption. Sponsoring Lobby Day is our commitment to amplifying the consumer voice and advancing efforts to normalize responsible cannabis use,” said Caryn Woodson of Kiva. Sponsor Nate Landau from Snowtill added, “We are sponsoring lobby day because Cannabis compassion donation programs (AB2555) need to be renewed, so patients in need, especially veterans, can continue getting their medicine.”
Sponsor this impactful event.
LOBBY DAY AGENDA
Lobby Day attendees will meet in the morning at the Capitol Event Center, where they will learn about pending bills and get lobbying tips. In the afternoon, participants will meet with lawmakers or their staffers. The day will end with an afterparty and reception on the patio at Cafeteria 15L.
Some of the bills on which we expect to be lobbying are:
AB 2555 (Quirk-Silva) to renew tax-free cannabis compassion programs for indigent patients, which were put into place with SB 34 (Wiener, 2019) and set to expire next year.
AB 1775 (Haney) to allow cannabis businesses to prepare and sell noncannabis, nonalcoholic food and drinks in a cannabis café model boosting both the industry and the consumer experiences. Cal NORML is sponsoring this bill and is working to address concerns raised by the Governor in his veto message last year.
SB 1059 (Bradford) would prohibit a city or county from including in the definition of gross receipts, for purposes of any local tax or fee on a licensed cannabis retailer, the amount of any cannabis excise tax imposed under the Cannabis Tax Law or any sales and use taxes. Cal NORML supports cannabis tax reform in California.
SB-1264 – (Grove) – would exclude from employment rights protections in AB 2188 employees in sworn or nonsworn positions within law enforcement agencies, including dispatch and other public safety communications, community services duties, and animal control. We oppose this bill.
Read about 2024 bills pending in the California legislature.
LOBBY DAY SCHEDULE
MORNING
10 AM – 12 PM; doors open at 9:15 serving coffee, donuts and such
Capitol Event Center
1020 11th St. (between J and K Streets)
Gather for training/legislative overview; pick up your afternoon appointment information
LUNCH BREAK (on your own)
AFTERNOON
1 PM Group Photo at the Capitol Steps
1:30 – 5 PM
Attendees will go to the Capitol for appointments with your elected representatives or their staffs.
EVENING
5 PM – 7 PM
Afterparty / Reception – food, drinks and fun!
Cafeteria 15L
Register to Attend Lobby Day
Sponsor This Impactful Event!
After a century of failed policies and “canna-bigotry,” the verdict is in. Legalization is a success, and the end of cannabis prohibition can’t come soon enough.
The post NORML Op-Ed: State-Level Marijuana Legalization Has Been a Stunning Success appeared first on NORML.
“Together, results found no net increases in cannabis or, through spillover effects, alcohol or tobacco use among adolescents in response to the rapid rise of RCL [recreational cannabis legalization] and RCR [recreational cannabis retail sales]. Results suggest that legalization and greater control over cannabis markets have not facilitated adolescents’ entry into substance use.”
The post JAMA Pediatrics: Legalization Laws Linked with Fewer Teens Using Marijuana, Other Intoxicants appeared first on NORML.
“The sooner consumers have market access to cannabis products, the more quickly we will begin to see disruptions to the unregulated market.”
The post Ohio: Adult-Use Marijuana Sales Anticipated to Begin Ahead of Schedule appeared first on NORML.
“Virginia’s firefighters, emergency services providers, and civil servants across the Commonwealth deserve the same job protections currently provided to private employees for their lawful and responsbile use of medical cannabis. This is a long overdue victory.”
The post Virginia: Governor Approves Bills To Expand Employment Protections, Vetoes Parental Rights Protections appeared first on NORML.