California MMJ Regulations Signed Into Law: AB 266, AB 243, and SB 643
On Friday, Americans For Safe Access announced that the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. The new policy, formerly known in the California legislature as AB 266, AB 243, and SB 643, regulates the medical cannabis industry from seed to sale for the very first time since the state passed legislation allowing medical cannabis 20 years ago.
The 70-page package of bills was painstakingly crafted in conjunction with the Governor’s office, so it was expected by many to pass no matter what, but the official signature brings a new era of legitimacy for California cannabis businesses. Another notable supporter, Lt. Gov. and 2018 gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom, said that “Given the history and complexity of California’s market, achieving the people’s will and responsibly regulating marijuana will be a process that unfolds over many years, requiring sustained attention to implementation.”
Newsom is right; there are already groups positing that some portions of the new law illegally amend corresponding portions of the original Prop 215 legislation, including the 10’x10′ canopy allowance for at-home cultivation. Nonetheless, a licensed and regulated medical cannabis landscape will lay the groundwork for the possibility of further adult use regulations after the 2016 general election.
Below is the full text of the announcement from ASA.
Veronica —
California Governor Jerry Brown just signed three bills that will license and regulate commercial medical cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, transportation, sales, and testing in the state. The bills become law on January 1st, nineteen years after voters approved Proposition 215 and called on lawmakers to implement a plan for safe and legal access in the state.
ASA has been working to adopt state licensing and regulation of medical cannabis since 2012 because we know that sensible regulations preserve access for patients, while reducing crime and complaints in communities. We are proud to say that years of persistent and pragmatic advocacy have paid off. These bills represent an important milestone in a long campaign to fully implement Proposition 215.
I am going to be talking about the bills and what comes next in a live Google Hangout next week. A Google Hangout is an interactive online event your can join from your computer of mobile device.
What: What’s Next for Medical Cannabis… Regulation, Legalization, and More
When:Thursday, October 15, at 8:00 PM Pacific
Where:https://plus.google.com/events/c5l3ii21dg6i5nr6v5gehudentg
Click on the link a few minutes before 8:00 PM. You may need to install some free software to ask questions or make comments. You can watch the event live on YouTube without installing software, but you will not be able to use the interactive features.
Please join me on Thursday and invite your friends!
Sincerely,
Don Duncan
California DirectorAmericans for Safe Access
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/
What does this mean for new and existing medical cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, retailers, and everyone in between? Check out the Cashinbis analysis of AB 266 for an overview of some of the new requirements for doing business in the Golden State.