Marijuana - CalMatters

A grower tends to cannabis plants at the Pure Beauty growing site in Sacramento on Jan. 26, 2022. Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

California wants to rollback environmental rules for cannabis. That won’t help ailing growers

November 14, 2023November 13, 2023 by Rosalie Liccardo Pacula and Michael Sutton

California’s environmental regulations are not to blame for the struggles of small pot farmers. County permitting decisions, the local political climate, and the inability of law enforcement to eradicate illicit cultivation have been much bigger hurdles.

Bonnie Metcalf meditates at her Sacramento home on July 20, 2023. Metcalf suffers from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease, and takes cannabis products to ease the pain. Photo by Rahul Lal for CalMatters

Medical cannabis paved the way for legalization in California. Now patients feel left behind

by Alexei Koseff August 1, 2023August 1, 2023

Bonnie Metcalf lights sage during her morning routine at her Sacramento home on July 20, 2023. Metcalf spreads the smoke to entrance and exit points to clear negative energy and promote relaxation. Photo by Rahul Lal for CalMatters

Are California’s medical marijuana patients getting left behind?

by Lynn La August 1, 2023August 1, 2023

Cannabis plants at the Pure Beauty growing site in Sacramento on Jan. 26, 2022. Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Excessive taxes, local control allows California illicit cannabis market to thrive

by Guest Commentary June 22, 2023June 21, 2023

Pam Holland stands in the doorway of her apartment in Tehachapi on April 20, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

The long wait for California families on police shootings

by Lynn La May 17, 2023May 17, 2023

Inside the Newsroom

CalMatters 2023 events are bringing journalism directly to community members

by Sonya Quick April 7, 2023April 6, 2023

Michelle Hackett at the entrance to Riverview Farms in Salinas that flooded in the mid-March storms. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

As emergency aid flows to flooded-out Californians, will thousands get the help they need?

by Lauren Hepler, Nicole Foy and Wendy Fry March 15, 2023March 28, 2023

Many cannabis companies inflate THC numbers. Here’s how California can stop them

by Guest Commentary November 16, 2022November 15, 2022

Supporters for equity cannabis tax reform gather at a rally at the State Capitol on Jan. 13, 2021. Photo by Rahul Lal for CalMatters

California cuts cannabis taxes to heal ailing industry

by Alexei Koseff July 5, 2022July 5, 2022

Elliot Lewis, CEO of Catalyst Cannabis Co., at one of their dispensary locations in Long Beach on May 27, 2022. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

California’s next cannabis battle may be coming to a city near you

by Alexei Koseff June 21, 2022November 23, 2022

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