Los Angeles NORML

What Los Angeles NORML does

Los Angeles NORML (LA NORML) is a non-profit, membership-based advocacy organization founded in 1973 as a regional chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). It is the only state-level organization devoted specifically to marijuana reform for consumers in California, headquartered in Los Angeles County — described as the largest cannabis market in the world. Its mission is to repeal marijuana prohibition at the local, state, and federal level; implement Prop 215's framework for safe and affordable medical marijuana distribution; reduce patient and small-farmer taxes; protect license applicant confidentiality; and encourage licensing of small businesses, nonprofits, and agricultural co-ops.

The organization operates five core programs: a paid membership program ($15-$50 annually) granting access to a quarterly newsletter, member discounts, and VIP access to monthly online meetings; a three-tier Mission Partners sponsorship program (Silver Haze $25/month, Acapulco Gold $50/month, Platinum OG $100/month) monetizing cannabis industry allies; a branded merchandise e-commerce storefront (lapel pins, apparel, mugs, hoodies); the SB-34 California Compassionate Cannabis Donation Program connecting licensed operators with veteran, terminally ill, elderly, and mental health patients; and a cannabis banking referral service linking cannabis businesses with banks and credit unions serving the regulated industry. A 13-member board with credentials in law, government affairs, social equity, veterans affairs, health, education, and technology supports the work, led by Executive Director Ian Rassman and Founder & Director Emeritus Bruce M. Margolin.

LA NORML pursues its mission through community organizing, content marketing, legislative advocacy, and event participation (e.g., Emerald Cup, chapter meetings). Revenue is generated exclusively through membership dues, Mission Partner sponsorships, merchandise sales, and donations — no public funding, institutional investment, or foundation grant data is disclosed. Strategic partners include Cannakins, Ananda Strategy, Holistic Caring, Veterans Cannabis Coalition, HERBL, Pineapple Express, Amuse, Pacific Stone, NABIS, Green Check Verified, and the Marijuana Policy Project.

Name

Los Angeles NORML

Legal name

Los Angeles NORML

Website

https://lanorml.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Los Angeles NORML is a non-profit cannabis reform advocacy chapter founded in 1973, serving Los Angeles County consumers through policy advocacy, medical donation programs, and membership services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $20-$50 for regular membership or $15 for low-income newsletter subscription. Members receive quarterly newsletter, discounts on products and events.
2. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling branded merchandise including lapel pins, tote bags, mugs, t-shirts, socks, and hoodies at various price points.
3. Mission Partner Sponsorships: Three-tiered partnership program (Silver Haze $25/month, Acapulco Gold $50/month, Platinum OG $100/month) offering logo placement, social posts, event sponsorship, and blog write-ups.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Los Angeles NORML (LA NORML) is a non-profit, membership-based advocacy organization that promotes marijuana law reform in Los Angeles County and California. It sells annual memberships ($15-$50), operates an e-commerce merchandise shop, runs a tiered Mission Partners sponsorship program for cannabis businesses, administers the SB-34 Compassionate Cannabis Donation Program connecting licensed operators with patients in need, and provides cannabis banking partner referrals for industry businesses.

Product overview

Los Angeles NORML is a non-profit advocacy organization (not a traditional software product company) that offers a membership program ($15-$50 annually) providing access to events and discounts, a branded merchandise e-commerce store, a three-tiered Mission Partners sponsorship program (Silver Haze, Acapulco Gold, Platinum OG), the SB-34 Compassionate Cannabis Donation Program connecting licensed operators with patients in need, and cannabis banking partner referrals for businesses. The organization does not offer a unified software platform or SaaS product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LA NORML Membership Program Annual membership program providing access to monthly email updates, VIP access to monthly online meetings, event notifications, and member discounts on products and events. Membership fees range from $15-$50 annually.
• LA NORML Merchandise Shop Online store selling branded merchandise including lapel pins, organic tote bags, ceramic mugs, t-shirts, socks, and hoodies with LA NORML branding.
• Mission Partners Sponsorship Program Three-tiered partnership program allowing businesses to support LA NORML: Silver Haze ($25/month), Acapulco Gold ($50/month), and Platinum OG ($100/month), each offering progressively more visibility and engagement benefits including logo placement, social posts, event/webinar sponsorship, and blog write-ups.
• SB-34 Compassionate Cannabis Donation Program Charitable initiative connecting licensed cannabis companies with patients in need through legal donation pathways under California SB-34, supporting veterans, terminally ill, elderly, and mental health patients. Partners include Kannabis Works, HERBL, Pineapple Express, Amuse, Pacific Stone, and NABIS.
• Cannabis Banking Partner Referral Service connecting cannabis businesses with banking partners and credit unions actively serving the recreational and medical cannabis industry in California.

Quantifiable outcome

• Los Angeles County had the most per capita cannabis arrests of any major County in the United States during 1980-2010
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CannakinscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCannabis focused consulting firm managing hardware, software, and business services for cannabis operators. Committed to promoting fairness, justice, opportunity, and equity in the cannabis industry.
• Hawk MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing and media services partner.
• RassmancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking and payment solutions consultancy for the regulated cannabis industry, led by Executive Director Ian Rassman.
• Hirsh Jain/Ananda StrategycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCannabis consultancy helping brands with licensing efforts, regulatory compliance, and expansion strategy in California.
• Holistic Caring/Elisabeth MackcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation and guidance services bridging traditional and cannabis medicine for patients.
• Veterans Cannabis CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization dedicated to ending cannabis prohibition and driving R&D of cannabis-based treatments for veterans. Founded by Eric Goepel, Director of Veterans Affairs at LA NORML.
• HERBLminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLicensed cannabis distribution platform and SB-34 donation partner.
• Pineapple ExpressminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLicensed cannabis company and SB-34 donation partner.
• AmuseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerE-commerce cannabis delivery company and SB-34 donation partner.
• Pacific StoneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCannabis brand and SB-34 donation partner.
• NABISminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCannabis supply chain platform and SB-34 donation partner.
• Tommy ChongminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCannabis lifestyle brand and entertainer partnership.
• SB-34 Compassionate Donation PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensed cannabis companies participating in the SB-34 California Compassionate Cannabis Donation Program, donating products to patients in need through cultivators, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and testing labs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Drug Policy Alliance: Major U.S. drug policy reform nonprofit focused on ending the war on drugs, including cannabis legalization. Comparable advocacy model with legislative engagement and member-driven campaigns.
• National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML): National parent organization of LA NORML. Both operate as cannabis law reform advocacy non-profits with membership-based models, legislative engagement, and consumer-focused policy work.
• Marijuana Policy Project: National cannabis policy reform advocacy organization that partners with LA NORML on federal and state legislation. Operates with a similar advocacy, lobbying, and educational mission.
• California NORML: State-level NORML chapter operating the same advocacy playbook (legislative goals, Prop 215 alignment, membership dues) but at the California state level rather than LA County.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/losangelesnorml

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Los Angeles NORML