The Law Offices of Omar Figueroa is a boutique California law firm focusing on cannabis law. We fight for justice and human rights, and advocate passionately for our clients every step of the way.
By Lauren Mendelsohn December 22, 2023 Today, United States President Joseph Biden issued an official proclamation granting a pardon to Americans who have been convicted of, charged with, attempted to, or did use or possess marijuana for personal use in violation of U.S. federal law or Washington, D.C. city […]
by Omar Figueroa December 21, 2023 On December 19, 2023, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a legal opinion addressing the question of whether an agreement between California and out-of-state licensees would result in significant legal risk to the State of California and its officials under the federal Controlled […]
October 7, 2023 Today, in a major upset to drug policy reformers, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 58, a landmark piece of legislation that would have legalized certain activities involving a set list of psychedelic substances (including psilocybin, psilocyn, spores capable of producing “magic mushrooms,” DMT, and […]
by Omar Figueroa and Lauren Mendelsohn August 30, 2023 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is suggesting that cannabis should be reclassified from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law. This significant shift reflects the view that cannabis no longer has a high potential for abuse […]
by Omar Figueroa March 27, 2023 California has been at the forefront of psychedelic policy change for years. In 2019, the City of Oakland became “the first in the nation to decriminalize a wide range of psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms and ayahuasca.” Similarly, in early 2020, city leaders in […]
by Omar Figueroa March 3, 2023 On March 3, 2023, the United States Department of Justice announced that those pardoned under the October 6, 2022 proclamation by President Biden could now apply to receive a certificate of proof of pardon: Today, the Justice Department is launching an application for […]
By Lauren Mendelsohn December 29, 2022 2022 was a significant year for cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics policy in California. We’ve summarized some of the key events below. CANNABIS Legislative Victories in Sacramento A number of cannabis-related bills were adopted in 2022 by the State legislature, which will bring about […]
by Omar Figueroa December 17, 2022 California State Senator Scott Wiener has reintroduced a bill for the 2023-2024 Legislative Session to decriminalize certain psychedelics under California law. Senate Bill 58 has significant legislative support, and is co-authored by Assemblymembers Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley), Matt Haney (D-San […]
On December 6, 2022, the Sebastopol City Council unanimously approved and adopted the Surveillance Technology and Community Safety ordinance proposed by the Sonoma County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California in collaboration with Chief Ron Nelson of the Sebastopol Police Department. Sebastopol is the […]
by Omar Figueroa October 6, 2022 United States President Joe Biden announced today a Statement on Marijuana Reform which included the mass pardon of thousands of persons convicted of the federal offense of simple possession of cannabis. President Biden also urged state Governors to follow his lead by issuing mass […]