Senate Bill 820, sponsored by RCRC and authored by Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson), passed out of the Senate on Monday, January 29th on a vote of 36-0. RCRC is joined by the League of California Cities in support of this measure which would adapt the same seizure of property provisions currently applicable to unlicensed manufacturing of alcoholic beverages (i.e., moonshining), to cover unlicensed commercial cannabis activities.
Specifically, SB 820 would bolster enforcement efforts against illicit cannabis operations by authorizing, through a civil enforcement process, the removal of the underlying infrastructure—such as specialized cultivation and manufacturing equipment—used for unlicensed cannabis activities. SB 820 provides law enforcement with an optional tool to disrupt the resources of unlicensed conspirators that allow illegal cannabis operations to thrive. In addition, this measure invests enforcement proceeds in the Cannabis Control Fund to support equity programs for legal operators that were negatively impacted by the war on drugs.
SB 820 is an important tool, not only shut down bad actors, but also to support licensed cannabis businesses that enhance reliable access to regulated, tested cannabis in the legal market. It is critical to ensure that the limited resources used to enforce against unlicensed cannabis operations be impactful. In addition to disrupting the operations themselves, civil forfeiture can also act as a deterrent to other illicit operators and promote entrance into the legal, regulated cannabis market.
Read RCRC’s latest letter of support here. This measure now heads to the Assembly where it will be referred to policy committees and begin the process of consideration in the second house. For more information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate, Sarah Dukett.