Marijuana

After California legalized medical marijuana in 1996 and then recreational cannabis two decades later, one might think that for many patients, the state would be a sanctuary for seeking treatment.  But as CalMatters’ state Capitol reporter Alexei Koseff explains, those who rely on cannabis to treat pain, seizures, glaucoma and other ailments say that despite […]

Every rung of the cannabis supply chain in California is regressing as the illicit market continues to outpace the legal one. Excessive taxes and local control are to blame, argues a cannabis industry member.

Spurred by public outcry for more police accountability following the 2020 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the Legislature ordered the California Department of Justice to investigate police killings of unarmed civilians. At the time, legislators who introduced the bill — including then-Assemblymember and current Attorney General Rob Bonta — pledged that investigations would be […]

The in-person and virtual CalMatters events this year will serve as unique gathering points for civically-engaged Californians.

California has sometimes moved to help victims of emergencies who are excluded from federal aid‚ such as undocumented workers and cannabis businesses.

California regulations and consumer habits emphasize the THC content of cannabis products. This has encouraged bad actors to manipulate lab results and sell their products at a higher price.

Gov. Newsom and the Legislature cut a California cannabis tax, but not everyone is convinced it's enough to stabilize the legal market. Social equity operators say the changes don't do nearly enough to help them.

Some California cannabis companies are going directly to voters to get around local officials opposed to dispensaries. The epicenter for the effort is in Manhattan Beach and three nearby cities in Southern California.

Cannabis revenue has become a major funding source for state services to children and families living in poverty. The Legislature needs to back the governor’s long-term solution to protect it.

Newsom’s budget offers an opportunity to address California’s cannabis woes by providing local governments with a licensing framework.