Marijuana
Credit: California Cannabis Portal
September 3, 2022 - The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) reports 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.
ABOUT RURAL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA (RCRC)
The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is a thirty-seven member county strong service organization that champions policies on behalf of California’s rural counties. RCRC is dedicated to representing the collective unique interests of its membership, providing legislative and regulatory representation at the State and Federal levels, and providing responsible services for its members to enhance and protect the quality of life in rural California counties. To learn more about RCRC, visit rcrcnet.org and follow @RuralCounties on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: RCRC
*UPDATE*
Senator Anna M. Caballero’s Legislative Proposal for California to Negotiate Cannabis Agreements Passes Legislature
SB-1326 would authorize the Governor to negotiate and enter into trade agreements with other U.S. States
SACRAMENTO: Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Merced) announced that SB 1326 has passed the legislative process and is now on its way to the Governor for a signature. SB 1326 authorizes the Governor to enter into trade agreements with other U.S. states to allow the import and export of legally produced cannabis and cannabis products.
The trade agreements would be required to include public health, safety, and labeling standards, a system to regulate and track cannabis items, collection of applicable state taxes, and any out of state cannabis items delivered to California would be required to be tested, packaged, and labeled in compliance with California state law. SB 1326 also includes mechanisms for legislative involvement and oversight in the development of interstate agreements, a public commenting process and annual reports to the legislature.
“California is leading the way to create more trade opportunities for the emerging legal Cannabis market. California can and should lay the groundwork for a multi-state legal cannabis market, which will benefit our rural economy and our workers and put a dent in the dangerous illicit market. This strategy can set the foundation for Congress and the President to provide for a true national market and it is my hope that SB 1326 will give California a competitive advantage.” –Senator Anna M Caballero (D-Merced)
“RCRC is a proud sponsor of SB 1326, championed by Senator Caballero. Many licensed cannabis businesses, particularly in rural producing regions of California, are struggling to survive. Market expansion through interstate commerce, as provided for in SB 1326, is a key part of the solution to stabilizing the legal industry and incentivizing participation in the regulated market. On behalf of RCRC, we urge Governor Newsom to sign SB 1326 to provide a pathway for multi-state cannabis commerce, which is vital for the long-term economic success of licensed cannabis businesses in rural California.” -Monterey County Supervisor and RCRC Second Vice Chair, Chris Lopez
Source: Senator Anna M. Caballero
