Last week, RCRC’s sponsored measure related to interstate cannabis commerce, Senate Bill 1326, was approved by the Legislature. The bill is now on the Governor’s desk pending signature.
Authored by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced), SB 1326, authorizes the State of California to enter into agreements with other states to allow commercial cannabis activity (both medicinal and adult use) between licensed cannabis businesses in each state. The bill requires agreements to include enforceable public health, safety, and labeling standards; a system to regulate and track cannabis items; and requires that items delivered to California must be tested, packaged, and labeled in compliance with current state law.
SB 1326 also provides that interstate cannabis agreements under the bill cannot go into effect until there is appropriate assurance that these agreements will not cause conflict between the State of California and the federal government. Lastly, the bill includes mechanisms for legislative involvement and oversight in the development of interstate agreements.
Many cannabis businesses, particularly in rural producing regions of California, are struggling to survive and market expansion through interstate commerce is part of the solution to stabilize the legal industry and incentivize participation in the regulated market. Without considerable market expansion, California risks the collapse of portions of the legal industry, devastating many rural communities, which could lead to significant expansion of the illicit market and dire economic impacts to local economies.
Creating a structure to develop lawful interstate agreements now, rather than potentially waiting years for federal legalization, will bolster California’s struggling cannabis industry in a time of near extinction for many small and legacy businesses, while benefiting consumers and medical patients who need access to high-quality cannabis products.
For more details, read RCRC’s letter to the Governor and Senator Caballero’s press release.
RCRC urges member counties to submit letters to the Governor electronically, urging his signature on SB 1236. Letters must be e-mailed to Leg.Unit@gov.ca.gov. For additional information or questions, contact RCRC Policy Advocate Sarah Dukett.