AB 34: Medical cannabis.
- Session Year: 2015-2016
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2015-06-02
(1)Existing law, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, an initiative measure enacted by the approval of Proposition 215 at the November 6, 1996, statewide general election, authorizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Existing law enacted by the Legislature requires the establishment of a program for the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients so that they may lawfully use marijuana for medical purposes, and requires the establishment of guidelines for the lawful cultivation of marijuana grown for medical use. Existing law provides for the licensure of various professions by the Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law, the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law, provides for the regulation of food, drugs, devices, and cosmetics, as specified. A violation of that law is a crime.
This bill would enact the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act and would establish within the office of the Governor, the Governors Office of Marijuana Regulation to coordinate and provide oversight of the licensing and regulation of various commercial cannabis activities, as defined. The bill would establish the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation, which is established within the State Board of Equalization, for the licensure and regulation of medical cannabis dispensaries and transporters. The bill would establish the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing within the State Department of Public Health for the licensing and regulation of medical cannabis manufacturers and certified testing laboratories. The bill would also require the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing to set specified standards for edible cannabis products. The bill would also establish the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation within the Department of Food and Agriculture for the licensure and regulation of medical cannabis cultivators. The bill would set forth the duties of these various divisions. The bill would require the office, by March 1, 2016, to convene a task force to advise the office on the development of standards for the regulation of medical cannabis.
This bill would provide for the enforcement of the provisions of the act and of local ordinances relating to medical cannabis by the state and local governments and would require the office to develop an enforcement framework that clarifies the enforcement roles of the state and local governments. The bill would provide that the director of the office and other prescribed persons employed by licensing and law enforcement authorities are peace officers for purposes of enforcing the provisions of this act. The bill would specify that it does not supersede the provisions of Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles on the May 21, 2013, ballot.
This bill would require, before a business granted a state license commences operation, that the business also obtain a license or permit from the local jurisdiction and would authorize the local jurisdiction to regulate commercial cannabis activity in specified ways. The bill would provide for provisional licensure to engage in commercial cannabis activity, as specified, until the state license application is either granted or denied or until July 1, 2017.
This bill would, by January 1, 2017, require the Division of Labor Standards and Enforcement to develop a certification program for cannabis employees. The bill would require, by January 1, 2019, that all persons who perform work as cannabis employees be certified or participating in an apprenticeship program, as provided.
This bill would establish the Medical Cannabis Regulation Fund and various accounts within that fund for the collection of fines and fees imposed on the licensees conducting commercial cannabis activities.
(2)Existing law establishes the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, which audits and regulates apprenticeship programs for various trades, including electricians.
This bill would require the division to investigate, approve, or reject applications for apprenticeship employees of a licensed cultivation site or a licensed dispensing facility, as defined.
(3)Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons by the Medical Board of California. Existing law requires the board to prioritize investigations and prosecutions of physicians and surgeons representing the greatest threat of harm, as specified. Existing law identifies the cases that are to be given priority, which include cases of repeated acts of excessively prescribing, furnishing, or administering controlled substances without a good faith prior examination of the patient. Existing law sets forth the conduct that would constitute unprofessional conduct for a physician and surgeon, including, but not limited to, prescribing certain drugs without an appropriate examination or medical indication. Existing law provides that a violation of the Medical Practice Act is a crime.
This bill would require the board to consult with the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research on developing and adopting medical guidelines for the appropriate administration and use of marijuana.
The bill would also make it a misdemeanor for a physician and surgeon who recommends marijuana to a patient for a medical purpose to accept, solicit, or offer any remuneration from or to a licensed dispensing facility in which the physician and surgeon or his or her immediate family has a financial interest. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
This bill would specify that recommending marijuana to patients without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication is unprofessional conduct. The bill would provide that specified acts of recommending marijuana for medical purposes without a good faith examination are among the types of cases that should be given priority for investigation and prosecution by the board, as described above. The bill would further prohibit a physician and surgeon from recommending medical marijuana to a patient unless that person is the patients attending physician, as defined. Because a violation of that provision would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(4)Existing law authorizes the legislative body of a city or county to impose various taxes, including a transactions and use tax at a rate of 0.25%, or a multiple thereof, if approved by the required vote of the legislative body and the required vote of qualified voters, and limits the combined rate of transactions and use taxes within a city or county to 2%.
This bill would authorize the board of supervisors of a county to impose a tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, producing, processing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling, or distributing marijuana or products containing marijuana. The bill would authorize the tax to be imposed for either general or specific governmental purposes. The bill would require a tax imposed pursuant to this authority to be subject to any applicable voter approval requirement.
(5)Existing law exempts qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and the designated primary caregivers of qualified patients and persons with identification cards from certain crimes, including possession of concentrated cannabis and marijuana, cultivation of marijuana, and possession of marijuana for sale.
This bill, commencing 180 days after the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation within the State Board of Equalization posts a notice on its Internet Web site that the licensing authorities have commenced issuing provisional licenses, would repeal those provisions.
(6)Existing law establishes the Department of the California Highway Patrol. Existing law also prohibits and establishes standards for driving under the influence of alcohol.
This bill would require the Department of the California Highway Patrol to establish protocols to determine whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of cannabis, and to develop protocols setting forth best practices to assist law enforcement agencies.
(7)Existing law regulates the labor practices of agricultural employers. Existing law establishes the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board within the Department of Industrial Relations to adopt, amend, and repeal occupational safety and health standards and establishes the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to enforce those standards.
This bill would include licensed cultivation sites in the definition of agricultural employer. The bill would require the division to convene an advisory committee to evaluate whether there is a need to develop industry-specific regulations relating to facilities issued a conditional license.
(8)This bill would provide that its provisions are severable.
(9)Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
(10)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(1)Existing law, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, an initiative measure enacted by the approval of Proposition 215 at the November 5, 1996, statewide general election, authorizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
Existing law enacted by the Legislature, commonly referred to as the Medical Marijuana Program Act (MMPA), requires the establishment of a program for the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients so that they may use marijuana for medical purposes without arrest or prosecution under specified state law, and requires the establishment of guidelines for the lawful cultivation of marijuana grown for medical use.
This bill would enact the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act and would establish the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing within the State Department of Public Health, and the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation within the Department of Food and Agriculture and would set forth the duties of the respective regulatory authorities.
The bill would, 180 days after the division posts a specified notice on its Internet Web site, make those provisions of the MMPA that prohibit prosecution of qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and designated primary caregivers who associate in California, collectively or cooperatively, to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, inapplicable to licensees. The bill would, thereafter, permit a dispensary to provide patients with medical marijuana and medical marijuana products obtained only from persons licensed under this bill.
The bill would require the regulatory authorities to license persons to engage in the various aspects of commercial cannabis activity, as defined. The bill would designate as peace officers specified officers and employees of the regulatory authorities. The bill would prescribe requirements for the issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of a mandatory commercial license and would authorize the assessment of related fees. This bill would require medical cannabis and medical cannabis products to be adhere to specified packaging, labeling, and food safety standards.
The bill would not preclude a city or county from adopting a local ordinance, not consistent with this bill, that regulates the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or prohibits commercial cannabis activity within its jurisdiction. The bill would require state agencies to collaborate with local agencies to enforce the act, to the extent that it is within the scope of other statuary responsibilities of local agencies and to the extent that resources are available to the local agencies. By imposing these enforcement duties on local agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would establish the Medical Cannabis Control Fund with separate accounts for fees, fines, and for penalties, and would require deposit of fees and penalties into their respective accounts within the fund. The bill would continuously appropriate moneys within the fees account to the appropriate regulating authorities for the purposes of administering the program.
The bill would authorize the regulatory authorities to collaborate to establish a regulation and enforcement assistance grant program and would require the Department of the California Highway Patrol to develop protocols regarding determining whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana to assist law enforcement agencies. The bill would make specified fines and penalties deposited into the fund available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for funding these programs.
The bill would require the regulatory authorities, as soon as practicable, to allow qualified applicants for licensure to apply for and receive a provisional license to engage in commercial cannabis activity and to adopt emergency regulations for that purpose.
The bill would require the regulatory authorities to adopt regulations necessary for the implementation and enforcement of this bill in consultation with prescribed state agencies relating to environmental, agricultural, consumer protection, worker safety, and food and product safety requirements. The bill would authorize the regulatory authorities to enter into interagency agreements to pay, from fees deposited into the fund, the associated costs incurred by these state agencies.
The bill would establish a cannabis employee certification, training, and apprenticeship program for cultivation sites and dispensaries, as defined. The bill would require the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to maintain and enforce minimum standards for the competency and training of employees and to certify cannabis employees. The bill would require the Division of Occupational Safety and Health by January 1, 2017, to convene an advisory committee to evaluate whether there is a need to develop industry-specific regulations related to the activities of licensed facilities. The bill would require the advisory committee to present to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board its findings and recommendations for consideration by the board, and would require the board, by July 1, 2017, to render a decision regarding the adoption of industry-specific regulations.
The bill would require a licensee to keep various records in connections with commercial cannabis activities and would prescribe requirements for making records available to the division and any state or local agency. The bill would prohibit the disclosure of certain patient and caregiver information pursuant to the California Public Records Act.
The bill would declare that it does not apply to, or diminish the protections granted to, a patient or primary caregiver acting pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and would exempt these parties from the application of the act.
The bill would declare that the actions of a licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents that are within the scope of a valid license are not unlawful under state law, as specified. The bill would provide similar state law immunity for a property owner who allows his or her property to be used by a licensee or provisional licensee.
The bill would require the regulatory authorities to work in conjunction with law enforcement entities throughout the state to implement and enforce the rules and regulations regarding medical cannabis and to take appropriate action against businesses and individuals that fail to comply with the law.
The bill would authorize the director of any regulatory authority, and prescribed local entities, to bring an action to enjoin violations. The bill would require the regulatory authority to establish a digital database and to permit state and local law enforcement agencies to verify licenses.
(2)Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties, including, but not limited to the licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons. Existing law sets forth the conduct that would constitute unprofessional conduct for a physician and surgeon, including, but not limited to, prescribing certain drugs without an appropriate examination or medical indication. Existing law generally makes a violation of these provisions a misdemeanor.
This bill would specify that recommending marijuana to patients without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication is unprofessional conduct.
The bill would provide that specified acts of recommending marijuana without a good faith examination are among the types of cases that should be given priority for investigation and prosecution by the Medical Board of California, as described above. The bill would deem as unprofessional conduct a physician and surgeon being employed by, or entering into an agreement with, a medical cannabis licensee to provide recommendations for medical marijuana.
By broadening the definition of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(3)Existing law authorizes the board of supervisors of a county and the governing body of a city to impose various taxes, including a transactions and use tax at a rate of 0.125%, or a multiple thereof, if approved by the required vote of the board or governing body and the required vote of qualified voters, and limits the combined rate of transactions and use taxes within a city or county to 2%.
This bill would authorize the board of supervisors of a county or a city council to impose, by ordinance, a tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, producing, processing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling, or distributing cannabis or cannabis products, including a transactions and use tax at any rate specified by the board. The bill would authorize the tax to be imposed for either general or specific governmental purposes. The bill would require a tax imposed pursuant to this authority to be subject to any applicable voter approval requirement.
(4)This bill would specify that its provisions are severable.
(5)Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
(6)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(1)Existing law, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, an initiative measure enacted by the approval of Proposition 215 at the November 5, 1996, statewide general election, authorizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
Existing law enacted by the Legislature, commonly referred to as the Medical Marijuana Program Act (MMPA), requires the establishment of a program for the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients so that they may use marijuana for medical purposes without arrest or prosecution under specified state law, and requires the establishment of guidelines for the lawful cultivation of marijuana grown for medical use.
This bill would enact the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act and would establish the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing within the State Department of Public Health, and the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation within the Department of Food and Agriculture and would set forth the duties of the respective regulatory authorities.
The bill would, 180 days after the division posts a specified notice on its Internet Web site, make those provisions of the MMPA that prohibit prosecution of qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and designated primary caregivers who associate in California, collectively or cooperatively, to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, inapplicable to licensees. The bill would, thereafter, permit a dispensary to provide patients with medical marijuana and medical marijuana products obtained only from persons licensed under this bill.
The bill would require the regulatory authorities to license persons to engage in the various aspects of commercial cannabis activity, as defined. The bill would designate as peace officers specified officers and employees of the regulatory authorities. The bill would prescribe requirements for the issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of a mandatory commercial license and would authorize the assessment of related fees. This bill would require medical cannabis and medical cannabis products to be adhere to specified packaging, labeling, and food safety standards.
The bill would not preclude a city or county from adopting a local ordinance, not consistent with this bill, that regulates the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or prohibits commercial cannabis activity within its jurisdiction. The bill would require state agencies to collaborate with local agencies, and would require local agencies to, within the scope of their jurisdiction, assist state agencies in the enforcement of the bill. agencies to enforce the act, to the extent that it is within the scope of other statuary responsibilities of local agencies and to the extent that resources are available to the local agencies. By imposing these enforcement duties on local agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would establish the Medical Cannibis Cannabis Control Fund with separate accounts for fees fees, fines, and for penalties, and would require deposit of fees and penalties into their respective accounts within the fund. The bill would continuously appropriate moneys within the fees account to the appropriate regulating authorities for the purposes of administering the program.
The bill would authorize the regulatory authorities to collaborate to establish a regulation and enforcement assistance grant program and would authorize the Department of Transportation to conduct research and require the Department of the California Highway Patrol to develop protocols regarding determining whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana to assist law enforcement agencies. The bill would make the specified fines and penalties deposited into the fund available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for funding these programs.
The bill would require the regulatory authorities, as soon as practicable, to allow qualified applicants for licensure to apply for and receive a provisional license to engage in commercial cannabis activity and to adopt emergency regulations for that purpose.
The bill would require the regulatory authorities to adopt regulations necessary for the implementation and enforcement of this bill in consultation with prescribed state agencies relating to environmental, agricultural, consumer protection, worker safety, and food and product safety requirements. The bill would authorize the regulatory authorities to enter into interagency agreements to pay, from fees deposited into the fund, the associated costs incurred by these state agencies.
The bill would establish a cannabis employee certification, training, and apprenticeship program for cultivation sites and dispensaries, as defined. The bill would require the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to maintain and enforce minimum standards for the competency and training of employees and to certify cannabis employees. The bill would require the Division of Occupational Safety and Health by January 1, 2017, to convene an advisory committee to evaluate whether there is a need to develop industry-specific regulations related to the activities of licensed facilities. The bill would require the advisory committee to present to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board its findings and recommendations for consideration by the board, and would require the board, by July 1, 2017, to render a decision regarding the adoption of industry-specific regulations.
The bill would require a licensee to keep various records in connections with commercial cannabis activities and would prescribe requirements for making records available to the division and any state or local agency. The bill would prohibit the disclosure of certain patient and caregiver information pursuant to the California Public Records Act.
The bill would declare that it does not apply to, or diminish the protections granted to, a patient or primary caregiver acting pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and would exempt these parties from the application of the act.
The bill would declare that the actions of a licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents that are within the scope of a valid license are not unlawful under state law, as specified. The bill would provide similar state law immunity for a property owner who allows his or her property to be used by a licensee or provisional licensee.
The bill would require the regulatory authorities to work in conjunction with law enforcement entities throughout the state to implement and enforce the rules and regulations regarding medical cannabis and to take appropriate action against businesses and individuals that fail to comply with the law.
The bill would authorize the director of any regulatory authority, and prescribed local entities, to bring an action to enjoin violations. The bill would require the regulatory authority to establish a digital database and to permit state and local law enforcement agencies to verify licenses.
(2)Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties, including, but not limited to the licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons. Existing law sets forth the conduct that would constitute unprofessional conduct for a physician and surgeon, including, but not limited to, prescribing certain drugs without an appropriate examination or medical indication. Existing law generally makes a violation of these provisions a misdemeanor.
This bill would specify that recommending marijuana to patients without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication is unprofessional conduct.
The bill would provide that specified acts of recommending marijuana without a good faith examination are among the types of cases that should be given priority for investigation and prosecution by the Medical Board of California, as described above. The bill would deem as unprofessional conduct a physician and surgeon being employed by, or entering into an agreement with, a medical cannabis licensee to provide recommendations for medical marijuana.
By broadening the definition of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(3)Existing law authorizes the board of supervisors of a county and the governing body of a city to impose various taxes, including a transactions and use tax at a rate of 0.125%, or a multiple thereof, if approved by the required vote of the board or governing body and the required vote of qualified voters, and limits the combined rate of transactions and use taxes within a city or county to 2%.
This bill would authorize the board of supervisors of a county or a city council to impose, by ordinance, a tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, producing, processing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling, or distributing cannabis or cannabis products, including a transactions and use tax at any rate specified by the board. The bill would authorize the tax to be imposed for either general or specific governmental purposes. The bill would require a tax imposed pursuant to this authority to be subject to any applicable voter approval requirement.
(4)This bill would specify that its provisions are severable.
(5)Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
(6)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(1)Existing law, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, an initiative measure enacted by the approval of Proposition 215 at the November 5, 1996, statewide general election, authorizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
Existing law enacted by the Legislature, commonly referred to as the Medical Marijuana Program Act (MMPA), requires the establishment of a program for the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients so that they may use marijuana for medical purposes without arrest or prosecution under specified state law, and requires the establishment of guidelines for the lawful cultivation of marijuana grown for medical use.
This bill would enact the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act and would establish the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing within the State Department of Public Health, and the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation within the Department of Food and Agriculture and would set forth the duties of the respective regulatory authorities.
The bill would, 180 days after the division posts a specified notice on its Internet Web site, make those provisions of the MMPA that prohibit prosecution of qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and designated primary caregivers who associate in California, collectively or cooperatively, to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, inapplicable to licensees. The bill would, thereafter, permit a dispensary to provide patients with medical marijuana and medical marijuana products obtained only from persons licensed under this bill.
The bill would require the regulatory authorities to license persons to engage in the various aspects of commercial cannabis activity, as defined. The bill would designate as peace officers specified officers and employees of the regulatory authorities. The bill would prescribe requirements for the issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of a mandatory commercial license and would authorize the assessment of related fees.
The bill would not preclude a city or county from adopting a local ordinance, not consistent with this bill, that regulates the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or prohibits commercial cannabis activity within its jurisdiction. The bill would require state agencies to collaborate with local agencies, and would require local agencies to, within the scope of their jurisdiction, assist state agencies in the enforcement of the bill. By imposing these enforcement duties on local agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would establish the Medical Marijuana Regulation Cannibis Control Fund with separate accounts for fees and for penalties, and would require deposit of fees and penalties into their respective accounts within the fund. The bill would continuously appropriate moneys within the fees account to the division appropriate regulating authorities for the purposes of administering the program.
The bill would authorize the regulatory authorities to collaborate to establish a regulation and enforcement assistance grant program and would authorize the Department of Transportation to conduct research and develop protocols regarding determining whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana to assist law enforcement agencies. The bill would make the fines and penalties deposited into the fund available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for funding these programs.
The bill would require the regulatory authorities, as soon as practicable, to allow qualified applicants for licensure to apply for and receive a provisional license to engage in commercial cannabis activity and to adopt emergency regulations for that purpose.
The bill would require the regulatory authorities to adopt regulations necessary for the implementation and enforcement of this bill in consultation with prescribed state agencies relating to environmental, agricultural, consumer protection, worker safety, and food and product safety requirements. The bill would authorize the regulatory authorities to enter into interagency agreements to pay, from fees deposited into the fund, the associated costs incurred by these state agencies.
The bill would establish a cannabis employee certification, training, and apprenticeship program for cultivation sites and dispensaries, as defined. The bill would require the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to maintain and enforce minimum standards for the competency and training of employees and to certify cannabis employees. The bill would require the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, Occupational Safety and Health by January 1, 2017, to convene an advisory committee to evaluate whether there is a need to develop industry-specific regulations related to the activities of licensed facilities. The bill would require the advisory committee to present to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board its findings and recommendations for consideration by the board, and would require the board, by July 1, 2017, to render a decision regarding the adoption of industry-specific regulations.
The bill would require a licensee to keep various records in connections with commercial cannabis activities and would prescribe requirements for making records available to the division and any state or local agency. The bill would prohibit the disclosure of certain patient and caregiver information pursuant to the California Public Records Act.
The bill would declare that it does not apply to, or diminish the protections granted to, a patient or primary caregiver acting pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and would exempt these parties from the application of the act.
The bill would declare that the actions of a licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents that are within the scope of a valid license are not unlawful under state law, as specified. The bill would provide similar state law immunity for a property owner who allows his or her property to be used by a licensee or provisional licensee.
The bill would require the regulatory authorities to work in conjunction with law enforcement entities throughout the state to implement and enforce the rules and regulations regarding medical cannabis and to take appropriate action against businesses and individuals that fail to comply with the law.
The bill would authorize the director of any regulatory authority, and prescribed local entities, to bring an action to enjoin violations. The bill would require the regulatory authority to establish a digital database and to allow on its Internet Web site to permit state and local law enforcement agencies to verify licenses.
(2)Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties, including, but not limited to the licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons. Existing law sets forth the conduct that would constitute unprofessional conduct for a physician and surgeon, including, but not limited to, prescribing certain drugs without an appropriate examination or medical indication. Existing law generally makes a violation of these provisions a misdemeanor.
This bill would specify that recommending marijuana to patients without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication is unprofessional conduct.
The bill would provide that specified acts of recommending marijuana without a good faith examination are among the types of cases that should be given priority for investigation and prosecution by the Medical Board of California, as described above. The bill would deem as unprofessional conduct a physician and surgeon being employed by, or entering into an agreement with, a medical cannabis licensee to provide recommendations for medical marijuana.
By broadening the definition of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(3)Existing law authorizes the board of supervisors of a county and the governing body of a city to impose various taxes, including a transactions and use tax at a rate of 0.125%, or a multiple thereof, if approved by the required vote of the board or governing body and the required vote of qualified voters, and limits the combined rate of transactions and use taxes within a city or county to 2%.
This bill would authorize the board of supervisors of a county to impose, by ordinance, a tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, producing, processing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling, or distributing cannabis or cannabis products, including a transactions and use tax at any rate specified by the board. The bill would authorize the tax to be imposed for either general or specific governmental purposes. The bill would require a tax imposed pursuant to this authority to be subject to any applicable voter approval requirement.
(4)This bill would specify that its provisions are severable.
(5)Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
(6)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(1)Existing law, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, an initiative measure enacted by the approval of Proposition 215 at the November 5, 1996, statewide general election, authorizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
Existing law enacted by the Legislature, commonly referred to as the Medical Marijuana Program Act (MMPA), requires the establishment of a program for the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients so that they may use marijuana for medical purposes without arrest or prosecution under specified state law, and requires the establishment of guidelines for the lawful cultivation of marijuana grown for medical use.
This bill would enact the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act and would establish the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Control, the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing within the State Department of Public Health, and the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation within the Department of Food and Agriculture and would set forth the duties of the respective regulatory authorities.
The bill would, 180 days after the division posts a specified notice on its Internet Web site, make those provisions of the MMPA that prohibit prosecution of qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and designated primary caregivers who associate in California, collectively or cooperatively, to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, inapplicable to licensees. The bill would, thereafter, permit a dispensary to provide patients with medical marijuana and medical marijuana products obtained only from persons licensed under this bill.
The bill would require the division regulatory authorities to license persons to engage in the various aspects of commercial cannabis activity, as defined. The bill would designate as peace officers the Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and persons employed by the division to administer and enforce its provisions specified officers and employees of the regulatory authorities. The bill would prescribe requirements for the issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of a mandatory commercial license and would authorize the assessment of related fees.
The bill would not preclude a city or county from adopting a local ordinance, not consistent with this bill, that regulates the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or prohibits commercial cannabis activity within its jurisdiction. The bill would require state agencies to collaborate with local agencies, and would require local agencies to, within the scope of their jurisdiction, assist state agencies in the enforcement of the bill. By imposing these enforcement duties on local agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would establish the Medical Marijuana Regulation Fund with separate accounts for fees and for penalties, and would require deposit of fees and penalties into their respective accounts within the fund. The bill would continuously appropriate moneys within the fees account to the division for the purposes of administering the program.
The bill would authorize the division regulatory authorities to collaborate to establish a regulation and enforcement assistance grant program and would authorize the Department of Transportation to conduct research and develop protocols regarding determining whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana to assist law enforcement agencies. The bill would make the fines and penalties deposited into the fund available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for funding these programs.
The bill would require the division, regulatory authorities, as soon as practicable, to allow qualified applicants for licensure to apply for and receive a provisional license to engage in commercial cannabis activity and to adopt emergency regulations for that purpose.
The bill would require the division regulatory authorities to adopt regulations necessary for the implementation and enforcement of this bill in consultation with prescribed state agencies relating to environmental, agricultural, consumer protection, worker safety, and food and product safety requirements. The bill would authorize the division regulatory authorities to enter into interagency agreements to pay, from fees deposited into the fund, the associated costs incurred by these state agencies.
The bill would establish a cannabis employee certification, training, and apprenticeship program for cultivation sites and dispensaries, as defined. The bill would require the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to maintain and enforce minimum standards for the competency and training of employees and to certify cannabis employees. The bill would require the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, by January 1, 2017, to convene an advisory committee to evaluate whether there is a need to develop industry-specific regulations related to the activities of licensed facilities. The bill would require the advisory committee to present to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board its findings and recommendations for consideration by the board, and would require the board, by July 1, 2017, to render a decision regarding the adoption of industry-specific regulations.
The bill would require a licensee to keep various records in connections with commercial cannabis activities and would prescribe requirements for making records available to the division and any state or local agency. The bill would prohibit the disclosure of certain patient and caregiver information pursuant to the California Public Records Act.
The bill would declare that it does not apply to, or diminish the protections granted to, a patient or primary caregiver acting pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and would exempt these parties from the application of the act.
The bill would declare that the actions of a licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents that are within the scope of a valid license are not unlawful under state law, as specified. The bill would provide similar state law immunity for a property owner who allows his or her property to be used by a licensee or provisional licensee.
The bill would require the division regulatory authorities to work in conjunction with law enforcement entities throughout the state to implement and enforce the rules and regulations regarding medical cannabis and to take appropriate action against businesses and individuals that fail to comply with the law.
The bill would authorize the director of the division, any regulatory authority, and prescribed local entities, to bring an action to enjoin violations. The bill would require the division regulatory authority to establish a digital database and to allow on its Internet Web site to permit state and local law enforcement agencies to verify licenses.
The bill would make certain violations of its provisions a crime, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program.
(2)Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties, including, but not limited to the licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons. Existing law sets forth the conduct that would constitute unprofessional conduct for a physician and surgeon, including, but not limited to, prescribing certain drugs without an appropriate examination or medical indication. Existing law generally makes a violation of these provisions a misdemeanor.
This bill would specify that recommending marijuana to patients without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication is unprofessional conduct.
The bill would provide that specified acts of recommending marijuana without a good faith examination are among the types of cases that should be given priority for investigation and prosecution by the Medical Board of California, as described above. The bill would deem as unprofessional conduct a physician and surgeon being employed by, or entering into an agreement with, a medical cannabis licensee to provide recommendations for medical marijuana.
By broadening the definition of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(3)Existing law authorizes the board of supervisors of a county and the governing body of a city to impose various taxes, including a transactions and use tax at a rate of 0.125%, or a multiple thereof, if approved by the required vote of the board or governing body and the required vote of qualified voters, and limits the combined rate of transactions and use taxes within a city or county to 2%.
This bill would authorize the board of supervisors of a county to impose, by ordinance, a tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, producing, processing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling, or distributing cannabis or cannabis products, including a transactions and use tax at any rate specified by the board. The bill would authorize the tax to be imposed for either general or specific governmental purposes. The bill would require a tax imposed pursuant to this authority to be subject to any applicable voter approval requirement.
(4)This bill would specify that its provisions are severable.
(5)Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
(6)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(1)Existing law, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, an initiative measure enacted by the approval of Proposition 215 at the November 5, 1996, statewide general election, authorizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
Existing law enacted by the Legislature, commonly referred to as the Medical Marijuana Program Act (MMPA), requires the establishment of a program for the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients so that they may use marijuana for medical purposes without arrest or prosecution under specified state law, and requires the establishment of guidelines for the lawful cultivation of marijuana grown for medical use.
This bill would enact the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act and would establish the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
This
The bill would, 180 days after the division posts a specified notice on its Internet Web site, make those provisions of the MMPA that prohibit prosecution of qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and designated primary caregivers who associate in California, collectively or cooperatively, to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, inapplicable to licensees. The bill would, thereafter, permit a dispensary to provide patients with medical marijuana and medical marijuana products obtained only from persons licensed under this bill.
This
The bill would require the division to license persons to engage in the various aspects of commercial cannabis activity, as defined. The bill would designate as peace officers the Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and persons employed by the division to administer and enforce its provisions. The bill would prescribe requirements for the issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of a mandatory commercial license and would authorize the assessment of related fees.
This
The bill would not preclude a city or county from adopting local ordinances, consistent a local ordinance, not consistent with this bill, that regulate regulates the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee. licensee or prohibits commercial cannabis activity within its jurisdiction. The bill would require state agencies to collaborate with local agencies, and would require local agencies to, within the scope of their jurisdiction, assist state agencies in the enforcement of this chapter. the bill. By imposing these enforcement duties on local agencies, this the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
This
The bill would establish the Medical Marijuana Regulation Fund with separate accounts for fees and for penalties, and would require deposit of fees and penalties into their respective accounts within the fund. The bill would continuously appropriate moneys within the fees deposited into the fund account to the division for the purposes of administering the program.
This
The bill would authorize the division to establish a regulation and enforcement assistance grant program and would authorize the Department of Transportation to conduct research, and develop protocols, research and develop protocols regarding determining whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana to assist law enforcement agencies. The bill would make the fines and penalties deposited into the fund available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for funding these programs.
This
The bill would require the division to, division, as soon as practicable, to allow qualified applicants for licensure to apply for and receive a provisional license to engage in commercial cannabis activity and to adopt emergency regulations for the issuance of provisional licenses for persons who within the 12month period preceding January 1, 2016, were engaged in medical cannabis activities, as prescribed, and would require the division to begin accepting applications for provisional licenses commencing January 1, 2016. for that purpose.
This
The bill would require the division to adopt regulations necessary for the implementation and enforcement of this bill in consultation with prescribed state agencies relating to environmental, agricultural, consumer protection, worker safety, and food and product safety requirements. The bill would authorize the division to enter into interagency agreements to pay, from fees deposited into the fund, the associated costs incurred by these state agencies.
This
The bill would establish a cannabis employee certification, training, and apprenticeship program. program for cultivation sites and dispensaries, as defined. The bill would require the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to maintain and enforce minimum standards of for the competency and training of employees and to certify cannabis employees. The bill would require the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to establish a cannabis curriculum certification committee to establish educational curriculum standards and to oversee educational providers of cannabis curriculum. Enforcement, by January 1, 2017, to convene an advisory committee to evaluate whether there is a need to develop industry-specific regulations related to the activities of licensed facilities. The bill would require the advisory committee to present to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board its findings and recommendations for consideration by the board, and would require the board, by July 1, 2017, to render a decision regarding the adoption of industry-specific regulations.
This
The bill would require a licensee to keep various records in connections with commercial cannabis activities and would prescribe requirements for making records available to the division and any state or local agency. The bill would exclude prohibit the disclosure of certain patient and caregiver information from disclosure to the public. With regard to limitations contained in this bill of the publics right to access certain patient information, the bill would make findings for the purposes of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution, regarding the interest to be protected and the need for protecting that interest. pursuant to the California Public Records Act.
This
The bill would declare that it does not apply to, or diminish the protections granted to, a patient or primary caregiver acting pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and would exempt these parties from the application of the act.
This
The bill would declare that the actions of a licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents that are within the scope of a valid license are not unlawful under state law, as specified. The bill would provide similar state law immunity for a property owner who allows his or her property to be used by a licensee or provisional licensee.
This
The bill would require the division to work in conjunction with law enforcement entities throughout the state to implement and enforce the rules and regulations regarding medical cannabis and to take appropriate action against businesses and individuals that fail to comply with the law.
This
The bill would authorize the director of the division, and prescribed local entities, to bring an action to enjoin violations. The bill would require the division to establish a digital database and to allow on its Internet Web site to permit state and local law enforcement agencies to verify licenses.
This
The bill would make certain violations of its provisions a crime, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program.
(2)Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties, including, but not limited to the licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons. Existing law sets forth the conduct that would constitute unprofessional conduct for a physician and surgeon, including, but not limited to, prescribing certain drugs without an appropriate examination or medical indication. Existing law generally makes a violation of these provisions a misdemeanor.
This bill would specify that recommending marijuana to patients without a good faith an appropriate prior examination and a medical reason or recommending marijuana for nonmedical purposes indication is unprofessional conduct.
This
The bill would provide that specified acts of recommending marijuana without a good faith examination are among the types of cases that should be given priority for investigation and prosecution by the Medical Board of California, as described above. The bill would deem as unprofessional conduct a physician and surgeon being employed by, or entering into an agreement with, a medical cannabis licensee to provide recommendations for medical marijuana.
By broadening the definition of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(3)Existing law authorizes the board of supervisors of a county and the governing body of a city to impose various taxes, including a transactions and use tax at a rate of 0.25%, 0.125%, or a multiple thereof, if approved by the required vote of the board or governing body and the required vote of qualified voters, and limits the combined rate of transactions and use taxes within a city or county to 2%.
This bill would authorize the board of supervisors of a county to impose, by ordinance, a tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, producing, processing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling, or distributing cannabis or cannabis products, including a transactions and use tax at any rate specified by the board. The bill would authorize the tax to be imposed for either general or specific governmental purposes. The bill would require a tax imposed pursuant to this authority to be subject to any applicable voter approval requirement.
(4)This bill would specify that its provisions are severable.
(5)Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
(5)
(6)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
(1)Existing law, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, an initiative measure enacted by the approval of Proposition 215 at the November 5, 1996, statewide general election, authorizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
Existing law enacted by the Legislature, commonly referred to as the Medical Marijuana Program Act (MMPA), requires the establishment of a program for the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients so that they may use marijuana for medical purposes without arrest or prosecution under specified state law, and requires the establishment of guidelines for the lawful cultivation of marijuana grown for medical use.
This bill would enact the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act and would establish the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
This bill would, 180 days after the division posts a specified notice on its Internet Web site, make those provisions of the MMPA that prohibit prosecution of qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and designated primary caregivers who associate in California, collectively or cooperatively, to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, inapplicable to licensees. The bill would, thereafter, permit a dispensary to provide patients with medical marijuana and medical marijuana products obtained only from persons licensed under this bill.
This bill would require the division to license persons to engage in the various aspects of commercial cannabis activity, as defined. The bill would designate as peace officers the Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and persons employed by the division to administer and enforce its provisions. The bill would prescribe requirements for the issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of a mandatory commercial license and would authorize the assessment of related fees.
This bill would not preclude a city or county from adopting local ordinances, consistent with this bill, that regulate the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee. The bill would require state agencies to collaborate with local agencies, and would require local agencies to, within the scope of their jurisdiction, assist state agencies in the enforcement of this chapter. By imposing these enforcement duties on local agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
This bill would establish the Medical Marijuana Regulation Fund with separate accounts for fees and for penalties, and would require deposit of fees and penalties into their respective accounts within the fund. The bill would continuously appropriate fees deposited into the fund to the division for the purposes of administering the program.
This bill would authorize the division to establish a regulation and enforcement assistance grant program and would authorize the Department of Transportation to conduct research, and develop protocols, regarding determining whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana to assist law enforcement agencies. The bill would make the fines and penalties deposited into the fund available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for funding these programs.
This bill would require the division to, as soon as practicable, adopt emergency regulations for the issuance of provisional licenses for persons who within the 12month period preceding January 1, 2016, were engaged in medical cannabis activities, as prescribed, and would require the division to begin accepting applications for provisional licenses commencing January 1, 2016.
This bill would require the division to adopt regulations necessary for the implementation and enforcement of this bill in consultation with prescribed state agencies relating to environmental, agricultural, consumer protection, worker safety, and food and product safety requirements. The bill would authorize the division to enter into interagency agreements to pay, from fees deposited into the fund, the associated costs incurred by these state agencies.
This bill would establish a cannabis employee certification, training, and apprenticeship program. The bill would require the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to maintain and enforce minimum standards of competency and training and to certify cannabis employees. The bill would require the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to establish a cannabis curriculum certification committee to establish educational curriculum standards and to oversee educational providers of cannabis curriculum.
This bill would require a licensee to keep various records in connections with commercial cannabis activities and would prescribe requirements for making records available to the division and any state or local agency. The bill would exclude certain patient and caregiver information from disclosure to the public. With regard to limitations contained in this bill of the publics right to access certain patient information, the bill would make findings for the purposes of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution, regarding the interest to be protected and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would declare that it does not apply to, or diminish the protections granted to, a patient or primary caregiver acting pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 and would exempt these parties from the application of the act.
This bill would declare that the actions of a licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents that are within the scope of a valid license are not unlawful under state law, as specified. The bill would provide similar state law immunity for a property owner who allows his or her property to be used by a licensee or provisional licensee.
This bill would require the division to work in conjunction with law enforcement entities throughout the state to implement and enforce the rules and regulations regarding medical cannabis and to take appropriate action against businesses and individuals that fail to comply with the law.
This bill would authorize the director of the division, and prescribed local entities, to bring an action to enjoin violations. The bill would require the division to establish a digital database and to allow on its Internet Web site to permit state and local law enforcement agencies to verify licenses.
This bill would make certain violations of its provisions a crime, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program.
(2)Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties, including, but not limited to the licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons. Existing law sets forth the conduct that would constitute unprofessional conduct for a physician and surgeon, including, but not limited to, prescribing certain drugs without an appropriate examination or medical indication. Existing law generally makes a violation of these provisions a misdemeanor.
This bill would specify that recommending marijuana to patients without a good faith examination and medical reason or recommending marijuana for nonmedical purposes is unprofessional conduct.
This bill would provide that specified acts of recommending marijuana without a good faith examination are among the types of cases that should be given priority for investigation and prosecution by the Medical Board of California, as described above. The bill would deem as unprofessional conduct a physician and surgeon being employed by, or entering into an agreement with, a medical cannabis licensee to provide recommendations for medical marijuana.
By broadening the definition of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
(3)Existing law authorizes the board of supervisors of a county and the governing body of a city to impose various taxes, including a transactions and use tax at a rate of 0.25%, or a multiple thereof, if approved by the required vote of the board or governing body and the required vote of qualified voters, and limits the combined rate of transactions and use taxes within a city or county to 2%.
This bill would authorize the board of supervisors of a county to impose, by ordinance, a tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, producing, processing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling, or distributing cannabis or cannabis products, including a transactions and use tax at any rate specified by the board. The bill would authorize the tax to be imposed for either general or specific governmental purposes. The bill would require a tax imposed pursuant to this authority to be subject to any applicable voter approval requirement.
(4)This bill would specify that its provisions are severable.
(5)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Existing law, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, an initiative measure enacted by the approval of Proposition 215 at the November 6, 1996, statewide general election, authorizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Existing law enacted by the Legislature, commonly referred to as the Medical Marijuana Program Act, requires the establishment of a program for the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients so that they may lawfully use marijuana for medical purposes, and requires the establishment of guidelines for the lawful cultivation of marijuana grown for medical use.
This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish a comprehensive and uniform state regulatory structure to govern the cultivation, processing, testing, and distribution of medical cannabis.
Existing law, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, an initiative measure enacted by the approval of Proposition 215 at the November 6, 1996, statewide general election, authorizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Existing law enacted by the Legislature, commonly referred to as the Medical Marijuana Program Act, requires the establishment of a program for the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients so that they may lawfully use marijuana for medical purposes, and requires the establishment of guidelines for the lawful cultivation of marijuana grown for medical use.
This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish a comprehensive and uniform state regulatory structure to govern the cultivation, processing, testing, and distribution of medical cannabis.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The people of California enacted the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 to ensure that seriously ill Californians have access to cannabis for medical purposes. The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 urged the state and federal governments to implement a plan to provide for the safe and affordable distribution of medical cannabis to all patients in medical need of the drug.
(b)Federal enforcement authorities have recognized that in states that have authorized cannabis use and have enacted strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems to control the cultivation, distribution, sale, and possession of cannabis, conduct in compliance with those regulatory and enforcement systems is less likely to threaten federal priorities, and, thus, less likely to require federal enforcement intervention (See: Memorandum For All United States AttorneysGuidance Regarding Marijuana Enforcement, by James M. Cole, Deputy Attorney General, August 29, 2013).
(c)Greater certainty and minimum statewide standards are urgently needed regarding the obligations of medical cannabis facilities, and for the imposition and enforcement of regulations to prevent unlawful cultivation and the diversion of cannabis to nonmedical use.
(d)The purpose of this act is to establish for California a robust medical cannabis regulatory and enforcement system to ensure that conduct in compliance with Californias medical cannabis laws does not threaten the federal priorities as set forth in the James M. Cole memorandum, and, therefore, does not require federal enforcement intervention.
(e)The California Constitution grants cities and counties the authority to make and enforce, within their borders, all local police, sanitary, and other ordinances and regulations not in conflict with the general laws. This inherent local police power includes broad authority to determine, for purposes of public health, safety, and welfare, the appropriate uses of land within the local jurisdictions borders. The police power, therefore, allows each city and county to determine whether or not a medical cannabis dispensary or other facility that makes medical cannabis available may operate within its borders. This authority has been upheld by City of Riverside v. Inland Empire Patients Health and Wellness Center, Inc. (2013) 56 Cal.4th 729, and County of Los Angeles v. Hill (2011) 192 Cal.App.4th 861. Nothing in this act shall diminish, erode, or modify that authority.
(f)If a city or county determines that a dispensary or other facility that makes medical cannabis available may operate within its borders, then there is a need for the state to license these dispensaries and other facilities for the purpose of adopting and enforcing protocols for security standards at dispensaries and in the transportation of medical cannabis, as well as health and safety standards to ensure patient safety. This licensing requirement is not intended in any way nor shall it be construed to preempt local ordinances, regulations, or enforcement actions regarding the sale and use of medical cannabis, including, but not limited to, security, signage, lighting, and inspections.
(g)Nothing in this act or Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) or Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code is intended to preempt any local ordinance regulating or banning the cultivation, processing, manufacturing, testing, transportation, distribution, provision, donation, or sale of medical cannabis, or to otherwise prevent or limit a city, county, or city and county from adopting or enforcing a zoning ordinance or other law, ordinance, or regulation that bans or regulates the location, operation, or establishment of any individual or other person that cultivates, processes, possesses, stores, manufactures, tests, transports, distributes, provides, donates, or sells cannabis.
(h)Nothing in this act is intended to require an employer to permit or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transportation, sale, or growth of cannabis in the workplace, or to affect the ability of employers to have policies restricting the use of cannabis by employees, or otherwise complying with federal law.
(i)Nothing in this act shall be construed to promote or facilitate the nonmedical, recreational possession, sale, or use of cannabis.
(j)Nothing in this act shall have a diminishing effect on the rights and protections granted to a patient or primary caregiver pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.
SEC. 2.Section 2220.05 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2220.05.(a)In order to ensure that its resources are maximized for the protection of the public, the Medical Board of California shall prioritize its investigative and prosecutorial resources to ensure that physicians and surgeons representing the greatest threat of harm are identified and disciplined expeditiously. Cases involving any of the following allegations shall be handled on a priority basis, as follows, with the highest priority being given to cases in the first paragraph:
(1)Gross negligence, incompetence, or repeated negligent acts that involve death or serious bodily injury to one or more patients, such that the physician and surgeon represents a danger to the public.
(2)Drug or alcohol abuse by a physician and surgeon involving death or serious bodily injury to a patient.
(3)Repeated acts of clearly excessive prescribing, furnishing, or administering of controlled substances, or repeated acts of prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing of controlled substances substances, or recommending cannabis to patients for medical purposes without a good faith prior examination of the patient and medical reason therefor. However, in no event shall a physician and surgeon prescribing, furnishing, or administering controlled substances for intractable pain consistent with lawful prescribing, including, but not limited to, Sections 725, 2241.5, and 2241.6 of this code and Sections 11159.2 and 124961 of the Health and Safety Code, be prosecuted for excessive prescribing and prompt review of the applicability of these provisions shall be made in any complaint that may implicate these provisions.
(4)Sexual misconduct with one or more patients during a course of treatment or an examination.
(5)Practicing medicine while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
(b)The board may by regulation prioritize cases involving an allegation of conduct that is not described in subdivision (a). Those cases prioritized by regulation shall not be assigned a priority equal to or higher than the priorities established in subdivision (a).
(c)The Medical Board of California shall indicate in its annual report mandated by Section 2312 the number of temporary restraining orders, interim suspension orders, and disciplinary actions that are taken in each priority category specified in subdivisions (a) and (b).
SEC. 3.Section 2242 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2242.(a)Prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing dangerous drugs as defined in Section 4022 without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication, constitutes unprofessional conduct. Prescribing or recommending medical cannabis to a patient for a medical purpose without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication constitutes unprofessional conduct.
(b)No licensee shall be found to have committed unprofessional conduct within the meaning of this section if, at the time the drugs were prescribed, dispensed, or furnished, any of the following applies:
(1)The licensee was a designated physician and surgeon or podiatrist serving in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be, and if the drugs were prescribed, dispensed, or furnished only as necessary to maintain the patient until the return of his or her practitioner, but in any case no longer than 72 hours.
(2)The licensee transmitted the order for the drugs to a registered nurse or to a licensed vocational nurse in an inpatient facility, and if both of the following conditions exist:
(A)The practitioner had consulted with the registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse who had reviewed the patients records.
(B)The practitioner was designated as the practitioner to serve in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be.
(3)The licensee was a designated practitioner serving in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be, and was in possession of or had utilized the patients records and ordered the renewal of a medically indicated prescription for an amount not exceeding the original prescription in strength or amount or for more than one refill.
(4)The licensee was acting in accordance with Section 120582 of the Health and Safety Code.
SEC. 4.Section 2264 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2264.(a) The employing, directly or indirectly, the aiding, or the abetting of any unlicensed person or any suspended, revoked, or unlicensed practitioner to engage in the practice of medicine or any other mode of treating the sick or afflicted which requires a license to practice constitutes unprofessional conduct.
(b) Employment by, or other agreement with, a mandatory commercial licensee acting pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act or a dispensary to provide recommendations for medical cannabis constitutes unprofessional conduct.
SEC. 5.Article 25 (commencing with Section 2525) is added to Chapter 5 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, to read:25.Recommending Medical Cannabis2525.(a)It is unlawful for a physician and surgeon who recommends cannabis to a patient for a medical purpose to accept, solicit, or offer any form of remuneration from or to a facility issued a conditional license pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 19300) of Division 8, if the physician and surgeon or his or her immediate family have a financial interest in that facility.
(b)For the purposes of this section, financial interest shall have the same meaning as in Section 650.01.
(c)A violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor.
2525.1.The Medical Board of California shall consult with the California Marijuana Research Program, known as the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, authorized pursuant to Section 11362.9 of the Health and Safety Code, on developing and adopting medical guidelines for the appropriate administration and use of medical cannabis.
2525.2.A physician and surgeon shall not recommend medical cannabis to a patient, unless that person is the patients attending physician, as defined by subdivision (a) of Section 11362.7 of the Health and Safety Code.
SEC. 6.Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 19300) is added to Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code, to read:3.5.Medical Cannabis1.Definitions19300.For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
(a)Cannabinoid means a chemical compound that is unique to and derived from cannabis, also known as phytocannabinoid.
(b)Cannabis means all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., Cannabis indica, or Cannabis ruderalis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin, whether crude or purified, extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin. Cannabis does not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant which is incapable of germination. Cannabis also means marijuana as defined by Section 11018 of the Health and Safety Code as enacted by Chapter 1407 of the Statutes of 1972.
(c)Cannabis concentrate means manufactured cannabis that has undergone a process to concentrate the cannabinoid active ingredient, thereby increasing the products potency.
(d)Certified testing laboratory means a laboratory that is certified by the State Department of Public Health to perform random sample testing of medical cannabis pursuant to the certification standards for these facilities promulgated by the department.
(e)Commercial cannabis activity means any cultivation, possession, manufacture, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, distribution, or sale of cannabis or cannabis product, or any Internet platform that facilitates any of these functions for the purpose of selling medical cannabis or medical cannabis products to qualified patients or caregivers, except as set forth in Section 19316.
(f)Cultivation means any activity involving the planting, growing, harvesting, drying, processing, or trimming of cannabis.
(g)Delivery means the commercial transfer of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products from a dispensary to a primary caregiver or qualified patient, as defined in Section 11362.7 of the Health and Safety Code.
(h)Delivery service means a person issued a state license by the State Department of Public Health pursuant to this chapter and a local license or permit, to deliver medical cannabis or medical cannabis products, up to an amount determined by the department, to patients, testing laboratories, or to events or locations where it will be used solely for promotional purposes. A delivery service shall not be required to obtain a transporter license.
(i)Director means the director of the Office of Marijuana Regulation.
(j)Dispensary means a nonmobile, nonvehicular, non-Internet-based retail location that distributes medical cannabis or medical cannabis products and is owned and operated by a licensee for these activities pursuant to this chapter.
(k)Dispensing means any activity involving the retail sale of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products from a dispensary.
(l)Dried flower means all dead medical cannabis that has been harvested, dried, cured, or otherwise processed.
(m)Edible cannabis product means manufactured cannabis that is intended to be used, in whole or in part, for human consumption, including, but not limited to, chewing gum.
(n)Fund means the Medical Cannabis Regulation Fund established pursuant to Section 19361.
(o)Identification program means the universal identification certificate program for licensees.
(p)Labor peace agreement means an agreement between a licensee and a bona fide labor organization that, at a minimum, protects the states proprietary interests by prohibiting labor organizations and members from engaging in picketing, work stoppages, boycotts, and any other economic interference with the applicants business. This agreement means that the applicant has agreed not to disrupt efforts by the bona fide labor organization to communicate with, and attempt to organize and represent, the applicants employees. The agreement shall provide a bona fide labor organization access at reasonable times to areas in which the applicants employees work, for the purpose of meeting with employees to discuss their right to representation, employment rights under state law, and terms and conditions of employment. This type of agreement shall not mandate a particular method of election or certification of the bona fide labor organization.
(q)Licensed cultivation site means a person that plants, grows, cultivates, harvests, dries, or processes medical cannabis, or that does all or any combination of those activities, and that is issued a state license pursuant to this chapter and a local license or permit.
(r)Licensed dispensing facility means a person that provides medical cannabis, medical cannabis products, or devices for the use of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products, either individually or in any combination, that is issued a state license pursuant to this chapter and a local license or permit.
(s)Licensed manufacturer means a person that conducts the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, or processing of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products, either directly or indirectly or by extraction processes, or independently by means of chemical synthesis or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis, and includes a location that packages or repackages medical cannabis or medical cannabis products or labeling or relabeling of its container, and that has been issued a state license pursuant to this part.
(t)Licensed transporter means a person issued a state license by the Board of Equalization to transport medical cannabis or medical cannabis products above a limit determined by the board to and from facilities that have been issued a state license pursuant to this chapter.
(u)Licensee means a person issued a state license under this chapter to engage in commercial cannabis activity.
(v)Licensing authority means the state agency responsible for granting and renewing state licenses and regulating the relevant licensees. For licensed cultivators, the licensing authority is the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation in the Department of Food and Agriculture. For dispensaries and transporters, the licensing authority is the State Board of Equalization. For licensed manufacturers and certified testing laboratories, the licensing authority is the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing within the State Department of Public Health.
(w)Live plants means living medical cannabis flowers and plants, including seeds, immature plants, and vegetative stage plants.
(x)Manufactured cannabis means raw cannabis that has undergone a process whereby the raw agricultural product has been transformed into a concentrate, an edible product, or a topical product.
(y)Medical cannabis, medical cannabis product, or cannabis product means a product containing cannabis, including, but not limited to, concentrates and extractions, intended to be sold for use by medical cannabis patients in California pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Proposition 215).
(z)Nursery means a licensee that produces only clones, immature plants, seeds, and other agricultural products used specifically for the planting, propagation, and cultivation of medical cannabis.
(aa)Office means the Office of Marijuana Regulation.
(ab)Permit, local license, or local permit means an official document granted by a local jurisdiction that authorizes a person to conduct commercial cannabis activity in the local jurisdiction.
(ac)Person means an individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation, limited liability company, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, syndicate, or any other group or combination acting as a unit and includes the plural as well as the singular number.
(ad)State license or license means a state license issued pursuant to this chapter.
(ae)Topical cannabis means a manufactured product intended for external use.
(af)Transport means the commercial transfer of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products from the business location of one licensee to another licensee, for the purposes of conducting commercial cannabis activity authorized by licensees pursuant to this chapter.
2.Administration19301.This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act.
19302.(a)There is hereby created within the office of the Governor, the Governors Office of Marijuana Regulation, under the supervision and control of the Director of the Office of Marijuana Regulation, who shall be appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall appoint the director at a salary to be fixed and determined by the director with the approval of the Director of Finance. The director shall serve in accordance with the State Civil Service Act (Part 2 (commencing with Section 18500) of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(b)The director shall be the appointing power of all employees within the office, and all heads of divisions, bureaus, and other employees in the office shall be responsible to the director for the proper carrying out of the duties and responsibilities of their respective positions.
(c)In developing a regulatory framework pursuant to this chapter, the director shall consult with state agencies possessing expertise in licensure and enforcement, including, but not limited to, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the Department of Consumer Affairs.
(d)The office shall have overall executive authority and responsibility for implementation of all aspects of cannabis regulation pursuant to this chapter.
(e)The office shall coordinate and provide oversight of all activities described in this chapter. The office shall lead all state and local authorities regarding the tracking of medical cannabis, medical cannabis products, and licensees pursuant to this chapter. All departments and divisions specified in Section 19304 shall report directly to the office. Any information technology systems created to store and process data related to commercial cannabis licensing shall be integrated, and all licensing data shall be immediately available to each licensing authority and to the office.
19303.The office shall maintain a registry of all permit holders and shall maintain a record of all state licenses and commercial cannabis activity of the permit holder throughout the length of licensure and for a minimum of seven years following the expiration of each license. The office shall make limited licensee information available to a licensee so that it may verify whether it is engaging in commercial cannabis activities with a properly licensed entity.
19304.(a)The following entities shall report to and be directly accountable to the office for their respective designated responsibilities within the regulatory and enforcement framework, as follows:
(1)The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation, which is established within the State Board of Equalization, shall do all of the following:
(A)Be administered by a person who is appointed by the State Board of Equalization.
(B)Administer this chapter, as it pertains to commercial cannabis activity relating to dispensaries and transporters.
(2)The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing, which is established within the State Department of Public Health, shall do all of the following:
(A)Be administered by a person who is appointed by the Governor.
(B)Administer this chapter, as it pertains to manufacturing, testing, and certification of testing laboratories for medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.
(3)The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation, which is established within the Department of Food and Agriculture, shall do all of the following:
(A)Be administered by a person who is appointed by the Governor.
(B)Administer this chapter as it pertains to cultivation of medical cannabis.
(4)The California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Natural Resources Agency shall coordinate and direct the following entities in the discharge of their designated regulatory responsibilities:
(A)The State Water Resources Control Board shall promulgate regulations related to discharge into waterways, and diversion therefrom, resulting from cannabis cultivation.
(B)The Department of Fish and Wildlife shall promulgate regulations for the protection of any species affected by cultivation activity, and regulations for any cultivation-related development, including alteration of waterways.
(5)The Department of Justice shall conduct the following activities:
(A)Perform criminal background checks of applicants for licensure.
(B)Develop uniform security standards for dispensaries and all phases of transport covered by this chapter.
(C)Provide supplemental enforcement on an as-needed basis at the request of the office.
19305.(a)The office and licensing authorities shall have the authority necessary for the implementation of this chapter, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Establishing rules or regulations necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this chapter and to enable the office and licensing authorities to exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred by this chapter and in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. These rules and regulations shall not limit the authority of a city, county, or city and county specified in Article 3 (commencing with Section 19307), or specified in Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, or any other law. For the performance of its duties, the office has the powers set forth in Article 2 (commencing with Section 11180) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. The office shall review all regulations and guidance promulgated by licensing authorities in the administration of this chapter to ensure no duplication, overlap, or inconsistent regulations occur between licensing authorities.
(2)Issuing state licenses to persons for the cultivation, manufacture, transportation, and sale of medical cannabis within the state.
(3)Setting application, licensing, and renewal fees for state licenses issued pursuant to this chapter.
(4)Establishing standards for commercial cannabis activity.
(5)Establishing procedures for the issuance, renewal, suspension, denial, and revocation of state licenses.
(6)Imposing a penalty authorized by this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(7)Taking action with respect to an application for a state license in accordance with procedures established pursuant to this chapter.
(8)Overseeing the operation of the Medical Cannabis Regulation Fund, established pursuant to Section 19361.
(9)Consulting with other state or local agencies, departments, representatives of the medical cannabis community, or public or private entities for the purposes of establishing statewide standards and regulations.
(b)Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the office and the licensing authorities in exercising the licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions pursuant to this chapter. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount.
19306.(a)The office, by March 1, 2016, shall convene a task force, which shall advise the office on the development of standards pursuant to this chapter. The task force shall be responsible for recommending to the office the appropriate roles of each state entity as it pertains to this chapter, and shall recommend guidelines on communication and information sharing between state entities, and with local agencies, for implementation of this chapter. Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the task force shall submit a report on these standards, determinations, and guidelines for implementation of this chapter to the Legislature and state entities affected by this chapter by August 1, 2016. The report submitted to the Legislature shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(b)The task force shall be comprised of representatives of medical cannabis consumer advocates, environmental experts, public health experts, medical cannabis industry representatives, related regulatory authorities, labor, and law enforcement. The task force may also be comprised of representatives of the State Board of Equalization and Attorney General, and other state agencies, as deemed appropriate. The task force shall have a minimum of nine members, with one-third of the members appointed by the California State Assembly, one-third of the members appointed by the California State Senate, and one-third of the members appointed by the Governor. If there is an unequal divide between these three entities, the Governor shall make appointments for the difference.
(c)Task force members shall serve on a voluntary basis and shall be responsible for costs associated with their participation in the task force. The licensing authorities shall not be responsible for travel costs incurred by task force members or otherwise compensating task force members for costs associated with their participation in the task force.
3.Enforcement and Local Control19307.(a)Each licensing authority shall work in conjunction with law enforcement agencies for the purposes of implementing, administering, and enforcing this chapter, and any regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter and taking appropriate action against licensees and others who fail to comply with this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(b)The director and the persons employed by the licensing authorities for the administration and enforcement of this chapter are, for purposes of this chapter, peace officers in the enforcement of the penal provisions of this chapter, the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter, and any other penal provisions of law prohibiting or regulating the cultivation, processing, storing, manufacturing, testing, transporting, or selling of medical cannabis. These persons may, while acting as peace officers, enforce any penal provisions of state law while in the course of their employment.
(c)The regulatory directors, persons employed by the licensing authorities for the administration and enforcement of this chapter, peace officers listed in Section 830.1 of the Penal Code, and officers listed in Section 830.6 of the Penal Code, while acting in the course and scope of their employment as peace officers, may, in enforcing this chapter, visit and inspect the premises of a licensee at any time during which the licensee is acting pursuant to the state license.
(d)Peace officers of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, members of the University of California and California State University police departments, and peace officers of the Department of Parks and Recreation, as defined in subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (f) of Section 830.2 of the Penal Code, may, in enforcing this chapter, visit and inspect the premises of a licensee at any time during which the licensee is acting pursuant to the state license.
19308.(a)The office shall, in consultation with local governments, develop an enforcement framework that clarifies the enforcement roles of the state and local governments. Local agencies are authorized to enforce any state statutory or regulatory standard.
(b)A state agency is not required by this section to enforce a city, county, city and county, or local law, ordinance, rule, or regulation regarding the site or operation of a facility or transporter issued a state license.
19309.(a)For facilities issued a state license that are located within the incorporated area of a city, the city shall have full power and authority to enforce this chapter and the rules, regulations, and standards promulgated by the office. The city shall further assume complete responsibility for any regulatory function relating to those licensees within the city limits that would otherwise be performed by the county or any county officer or employee, without liability, cost, or expense to the county.
(b)For licensed facilities located within the unincorporated area of a county, the county shall have full power and authority to enforce this chapter and the rules, regulations, and standards promulgated by the office.
(c)It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to provide for the statewide regulation of the commercial cannabis activity and the enforcement of laws relating to commercial cannabis activities without preempting city, county, or city and county ordinances regulating or banning these activities. This chapter is an exercise of the police powers of the state for the protection of the safety, welfare, health, peace, and morals of the people of the state.
(d)Nothing in this chapter, or any regulations promulgated thereunder, shall be deemed to limit the authority or remedies of a city, county, or city and county under any provision of law, including, but not limited to, Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
19310.(a)The director of a licensing authority or a district attorney, county counsel, city attorney, or city prosecutor may bring an action in the name of the people of the State of California to enjoin a violation or the threatened violation of any provision of this chapter, including, but not limited to, a licensees failure to correct objectionable conditions following notice or as a result of a rule promulgated pursuant to this chapter, and to assess and recover civil penalties in accordance with this chapter. The action shall be brought in the county in which the violation occurred or is threatened to occur. A proceeding for injunctive relief brought pursuant to this chapter shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(b)A state or local agency shall immediately notify the office and the appropriate licensing authority of violations or arrests made for violations over which the licensing authority has jurisdiction that involve a licensee or licensed premises. Notice shall be given within 10 days of the violation or arrest. The office or licensing authority shall promptly investigate as to whether grounds exist for suspension or revocation of the state license.
(c)This chapter shall not be construed to limit a law enforcement agencys ability to investigate unlawful activity in relation to a state license.
(d)Nothing in this chapter shall prevent a city or other local governing body from taking action as specified in Section 11362.83 of the Health and Safety Code.
(e)The office shall establish procedures to provide state and local law enforcement, upon their request, with 24-hour access to information to verify a state license, track transportation manifests, and track the inventories of facilities issued a state license. This record shall allow state and local law enforcement to verify a state license and provide summary information on licensees consisting of the name of the licensee, the date the license was issued, the status of the license, and the licensees mailing address.
19311.(a)Licensing authorities and any relevant local agency may examine the books and records of a licensee and may visit and inspect the premises of a licensee as the licensing authority or local agency deems necessary to perform their duties under this chapter or local ordinance.
(b)If the licensee or any employee of the licensee refuses, impedes, obstructs, or interferes with an inspection pursuant to this chapter or local ordinance, or if the licensee fails to maintain or provide the books and records required by this chapter, the license may be summarily suspended and the licensing authority shall commence proceedings for the revocation of the state license in accordance with this chapter.
(c)All cultivation and dispensing licensees shall be subject to an annual audit, as specified by the licensing authority, in order to ensure proper documentation is kept at each facility. The reasonable costs of the audit shall be paid for by the licensee.
19312.(a)This chapter shall in no way supersede the provisions of Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles on the May 21, 2013, ballot for the city, which granted medical cannabis businesses and dispensaries qualified immunity consistent with the terms of the measure and local ordinances. Notwithstanding the provisions of this part, cannabis businesses and dispensaries subject to the provisions of Measure D and its qualified immunity shall continue to be subject to the ordinances and regulations of the City of Los Angeles.
(b)It is the intent of the Legislature to recognize the unique circumstances of the City of Los Angeles with respect to Measure D and associated rules related to commercial cannabis activity.
19313.(a)The actions of a licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents, that are permitted pursuant to both a state license or provisional license and a license or permit issued by the local jurisdiction following the requirements of the applicable local ordinances, and that are conducted in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter, are not unlawful under state law and shall not be an offense subject to arrest, prosecution, or other sanction under state law or be subject to a civil fine or be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under state law.
(b)The actions of a person who, in good faith and upon investigation, allows his or her property to be used by a licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents, as permitted pursuant to both a state license and a license or permit issued by the local jurisdiction following the requirements of the applicable local ordinances, are not unlawful under state law and shall not be an offense subject to arrest, prosecution, or other sanction under state law, or be subject to a civil fine or be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under state law.
(c)Conduct that is within the scope of a license issued pursuant to this chapter and permitted by local ordinance but not fully in compliance with this chapter shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of this chapter and shall not be subject to the penal provisions of state law generally prohibiting cannabis-related activity, unless and until the license is revoked.
(d)This section shall not be deemed to limit the authority or remedies of a city, county, or city and county under any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
19314.(a)A person engaging in commercial cannabis activity and operating an unlicensed facility, building, structure, vehicle, mobile unit, or location in violation of this chapter shall be subject to civil penalties of up to twice the amount of the license fee for each violation, and the office, licensing authority, or court may order the destruction of medical cannabis associated with that violation. Each day of operation shall constitute a separate violation of this section. All civil penalties imposed and collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Medical Cannabis Fines and Penalties Account established pursuant to Section 19361.
(b)If an action for civil penalties is brought by the Attorney General, the penalty collected shall be deposited into the General Fund. If the action is brought by a district attorney or county counsel, the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered. If the action is brought by a city attorney or city prosecutor, the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the city in which the judgment was entered.
19315.(a)This chapter does not, nor do Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) and Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, prevent a city, county, or city and county from doing any of the following:
(1)Adopting local ordinances inconsistent with this chapter that do the following:
(A)Regulate the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or a person that cultivates, processes, possesses, stores, manufactures, tests, transports, distributes, or sells medical cannabis.
(B)Prohibit commercial cannabis activity within their jurisdiction.
(2)Providing for the administrative, civil, or criminal enforcement of the ordinances described in paragraph (1).
(3)Establishing a fee or tax for the operation of a licensee within its jurisdiction.
(4)Enacting and enforcing other laws or ordinances pursuant to the authority granted by Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
(b)Nothing in this chapter or in Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) or Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, shall prevent a city, county, or city and county from adopting or enforcing a zoning ordinance or other law, ordinance, or regulation that bans or regulates the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or other person that engages in commercial cannabis activity.
4.Licensure19316.(a)This chapter shall not apply to, and shall have no diminishing effect on the protections granted to, a patient or a primary caregiver pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.
(b)(1) A patient who cultivates, possesses, stores, manufactures, or transports cannabis exclusively for his or her personal medical use but who does not provide, donate, sell, or distribute cannabis to any other person is not, thereby, engaged in commercial cannabis activity and is, therefore, exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter.
(2)A primary caregiver who cultivates, possesses, stores, manufactures, transports, donates, or provides cannabis exclusively for the personal medical purposes of no more than five specified qualified patients for whom he or she is the primary caregiver within the meaning of Section 11362.7 of the Health and Safety Code but who does not receive remuneration for these activities except for compensation in full compliance with subdivision (c) of Section 11362.765 of the Health and Safety Code is not engaged in commercial cannabis activity and is, therefore, exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter.
(c)Exemption from the license requirements of this chapter shall not limit or prevent a city, county, or city and county from regulating or banning the cultivation, storage, manufacture, transport, provision, or other activity by the exempt person, or impair the enforcement of that regulation or ban.
19317.The state shall have the right and authority to conduct state licensure activities and to regulate commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter. Local governments have the right and authority to grant permits and regulate commercial cannabis activity within their jurisdiction pursuant to local ordinances. In the exercise of these rights and powers, the state and each of its agencies, and all local agencies, are hereby deemed not to be engaged in activities requiring licensure under this chapter.
19318.(a)Licensing authorities shall issue state licenses to qualified applicants engaging in commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter. Beginning January 1, 2018, no person shall engage in commercial cannabis activity without possessing a state license and a local permit. For purposes of this section, state license includes a provisional license issued pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 19330).
(b)Local permits shall be determined by local ordinances. Licensing authorities issuing state licenses shall have sole authority to revoke a state license. Local agencies issuing local permits shall have sole authority to revoke a local permit.
(c)The issuance of a state license shall not, in and of itself, authorize the recipient to begin business operations. The state license shall certify, at a minimum, that the applicant has paid the state licensing fee, successfully passed a criminal background check, and met state residency requirements.
(d)Even if a state license has been granted pursuant to this chapter, a facility shall not operate in a local jurisdiction that prohibits the establishment of that type of business. A facility shall not commence activity under the authority of a state license until the applicant has obtained, in addition to the state license, a license or permit from the local jurisdiction in which he or she proposes to operate, following the requirements of the applicable local ordinances.
(e)If a local government agency notifies the office or a licensing authority and provides evidence that a licensee or applicant within its jurisdiction is in violation of local ordinances relating to commercial cannabis activities, the licensing authority shall revoke the state license within 20 working days.
(f)Revocation of either a state or local license shall terminate the ability of a medical cannabis business to operate within California.
19319.(a)On or before July 1, 2017, a licensing authority shall promulgate regulations for implementation and enforcement of this chapter, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)A description of the various specific forms of commercial cannabis activity to be authorized by the various types of licenses.
(2)Procedures for the issuance, renewal, suspension, denial, and revocation of a state license.
(3)Procedures for appeal of fines and the appeal of denial, suspension, or revocation of a state license.
(4)Application, licensing, and renewal forms and fees.
(5)Time periods, not to exceed 90 days, by which the licensing authority shall approve or deny an application for a state license. The failure of the licensing authority to act upon an application for licensure within the time prescribed shall not be deemed approval of the application.
(6)Qualifications for licensees.
(7)Security requirements, including, but not limited to, procedures for limiting access to facilities and for the screening of employees.
(8)Requirements to ensure that all licensees and certified testing laboratories conform with applicable standards equivalent to state statutory environmental, agricultural, consumer protection, and food and product safety requirements. These standards shall be in addition, and not limited, to any other state and local requirements.
(b)Each state license application approved by the respective licensing authority pursuant to this chapter is separate and distinct.
(c)A state license application approved by a licensing authority pursuant to this chapter shall be valid for a period not to exceed one year from the date of approval unless revoked or suspended earlier than that date pursuant to this chapter or the rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(d)Each licensing authority may adopt regulations for additional licenses for cannabis activity within its statutory jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter, as deemed necessary.
(e)Each state license application approved by a licensing authority shall be reported to the office within 24 hours of its approval.
(f)A licensing authority shall not issue a state license unless the applicant has met all of the requirements of this chapter.
(g)Each licensing authority shall adopt regulations as needed to implement the relevant licensing program within one year following the establishment of provisional licenses, pursuant to Section 19330. The regulations shall not limit the authority of a city, county, or city and county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution or any other law. The regulations shall do all of the following:
(1)Establish procedures for approval or denial of applications for state licensure for each and every aspect of commercial cannabis activity, including, but not limited to, cultivation, possession, manufacture, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, distribution, and sale of cannabis.
(2)Establish applicant qualifications.
(3)Establish state licensee employee qualifications, including, but not limited to, training and screening requirements.
(4)Establish state licensee security requirements, including, but not limited to, procedures to limit access to facilities and to prevent diversion of product to nonmedical use.
(5)Establish procedures and protocols for identifying, managing, and disposing of contaminated, adulterated, deteriorated, or excess product.
(6)Establish advertising, marketing, signage, and labeling requirements and restrictions.
(7)Establish procedures for the suspension, revocation, or surrender of a state license, and establishing related fines and penalties to be assessed against licensees for violations of this chapter.
19320.(a)An applicant for a state license shall do all of the following:
(1)Pay the fee or fees required by this chapter for each state license for which an application is submitted.
(2)Register with the licensing authority on forms prescribed by the licensing authority. The forms shall contain sufficient information to identify the licensee, including all of the following:
(A)Name of the owner or owners of a proposed facility, including all persons or entities having an ownership interest other than a security interest, lien, or encumbrance on property that will be used by the applicant.
(B)The name, address, and date of birth of each principal officer and board member.
(C)The address and telephone number of the proposed facility.
(3)In the case of a dispensary, provide the name and address of each licensed cultivation site and licensed manufacturer from which the dispensary will acquire or obtain medical cannabis or medical cannabis products.
(4)Provide a description, in writing, of the scope of business of the proposed facility.
(5)Provide evidence that the applicant and owner have been legal full-time residents of the state for not less than two years.
(6)Provide detailed operating procedures, in writing, for the proposed facility, which shall include, but not be limited to, procedures for facility and operational security, prevention of diversion, employee screening, storage of medical cannabis, personnel policies, and recordkeeping procedures.
(7)Submit the applicants fingerprint images as follows:
(A)For purposes of this paragraph, applicant means the owner or owners of a proposed facility, including all persons or entities having an ownership interest other than a security interest, lien, or encumbrance on property that will be used by the facility. If the owner is an entity, fingerprints shall be submitted for each person participating in the direction, control, or management of, or having a financial interest in, the proposed facility.
(B)The applicant shall electronically submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information required by the Department of Justice for the purpose of obtaining information as to the existence and content of a record of state or federal convictions and arrests, and information as to the existence and content of a record of state or federal convictions and arrests for which the Department of Justice establishes that the person is free on bail or on his or her own recognizance, pending trial or appeal.
(C)The Department of Justice shall provide a response to the licensing authority pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.
(D)The licensing authority shall request from the Department of Justice subsequent notification service, as provided pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code, for applicants.
(E)The Department of Justice shall charge the applicant a fee sufficient to cover the reasonable cost of processing the requests described in this paragraph.
(8)If applicable, provide documentation that the applicant will be in compliance with all local ordinances and regulations, including, but not limited to, an entity granted immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(9)Provide evidence of the legal right to occupy and use an established location, including that, if the proposed facility is a cultivator or a dispensary, that the proposed facility is located beyond at least a 600-foot radius from a school, or, if applicable, an immunity from prosecution for that occupancy or use pursuant to Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(10)Provide a statement, signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury, that the information provided is true.
(11)(A)For an applicant with 20 or more employees, provide a statement that the applicant will enter into, or demonstrate that it has already entered into, and abide by the terms of a labor peace agreement.
(B)For the purposes of this paragraph, employee does not include a supervisor.
(C)For purposes of this paragraph, supervisor means an individual having authority, in the interest of the licensee, to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, or discipline other employees, or responsibility to direct them or to adjust their grievances, or effectively to recommend such action, if, in connection with the foregoing, the exercise of that authority is not of a merely routine or clerical nature, but requires the use of independent judgment.
(12)Provide any other information required by the licensing authority.
(13)For an applicant seeking a cultivation license, provide a statement declaring the applicant is an agricultural employer, as defined in the Alatorre-Zenovich-Dunlap-Berman Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975 (Part 3.5 (commencing with Section 1140) of Division 2 of the Labor Code), to the extent not prohibited by law.
(14)For an applicant seeking a cultivation or dispensary license, provide a notarized statement from the owner of real property or landlord where the cultivation or dispensing commercial medical cannabis activities will occur, as proof to demonstrate the landowner has acknowledged and consented to permit cultivation or dispensary activities to be conducted on the property by the tenant applicant.
(b)Each location and each discrete use of a single location shall require a separate state license. Each application for a state license is separate and distinct, and the licensing authority may charge a separate fee for each.
(c)For applicants seeking a state license to cultivate and manufacture, the application shall also include a detailed description of the operating procedures for all of the following, as applicable:
(1)Cultivation.
(2)Extraction and infusion methods.
(3)The transportation process.
(4)Inventory procedures.
(5)Quality control procedures.
19321.(a)Upon receipt of an application for licensure and the applicable fee, each licensing authority shall make a thorough investigation to determine whether the applicant and the premises for which a state license is applied qualify for the state license and whether this chapter has been complied with, and shall investigate all matters connected therewith that may affect the public welfare and morals.
(b)A licensing authority shall deny an application if either the applicant or the premises for which a state license is applied do not qualify for licensure under this chapter.
(c)A licensing authority may place reasonable conditions upon licensure if grounds exist for denial of the state license, and the licensing authority finds those grounds may be removed by the imposition of those conditions. However, the limitations set forth in paragraph (15) of subdivision (d) shall not be waived.
(d)Each licensing authority shall deny the application for licensure or renewal, or suspend or revoke a state license, if any of the following conditions apply:
(1)An entity making or authorizing in any manner or by any means a written or oral statement that is untrue or misleading and that is known, or that by exercise of reasonable care should be known, to be untrue or misleading.
(2)Conduct that constitutes fraud.
(3)Conduct constituting gross negligence.
(4)Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(5)Conduct that constitutes grounds for denial of licensure pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 480) of Division 1.5.
(6)Local agencies have notified the licensing authority or the office and provided evidence that a licensee or applicant within its jurisdiction is in violation of local ordinances relating to medical cannabis activities.
(7)The applicant fails to meet the requirements of this chapter or any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter or any applicable city, county, or city and county ordinance or regulation. If a local government adopts an ordinance or resolution authorizing medical cannabis to be cultivated, manufactured, stored, distributed, or sold within its jurisdiction, it shall submit to the office documentation detailing their renewal requirements.
(8)Granting or continuation of a state license would be contrary to the public welfare or morals.
(9)The applicant holding or seeking a state license has violated any law prohibiting conduct involving moral turpitude.
(10)The application has failed to state with sufficient specificity the jurisdiction and location at which the applicant proposes to establish operations.
(11)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners, is under 21 years of age.
(12)The applicant fails to provide notarized written proof that the owner of real property or landlord has acknowledged and consented to its tenants proposed cultivation or dispensing of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products.
(13)The applicant has failed to provide information requested.
(14)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners, has been convicted of a felony criminal conviction for drug trafficking involving a minor, felonies subject to enhancements Section 11370.4 or 11379.8 of the Health and Safety Code, a violent felony, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code, a serious felony as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 1192.7 of the Penal Code, a felony offense involving fraud or deceit, or any other felony that, in the licensing authoritys determination, would impair the applicants ability to appropriately operate as a state licensee. The licensing authority may, at its discretion, issue a state license to an applicant that has obtained a certificate of rehabilitation pursuant to Section 4852.13 of the Penal Code.
(15)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners, is a licensed physician making patient recommendations for medical cannabis.
(16)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners, has been sanctioned by a licensing authority, the office, or a city, county, or a city and county for unlicensed commercial medical cannabis activities or has had a license revoked under this chapter in the previous three years.
(17)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners, has been subject to fines or penalty for cultivation or production of a controlled substance on public or private lands pursuant to Section 12025 of the Fish and Game Code.
(18)The proposed commercial medical cannabis activity will violate any applicable local law or ordinance.
(19)The applicant has had 20 employees or more in the past year and failed to enter into a labor peace agreement.
(20)The applicant or the owner is unable to establish that he or she has been a resident of the state for not less than 2 years.
(e)Applicants shall be notified of a denied application in writing via personal service or mail addressed to the address of the applicant or licensee set forth in the application. The denial letter shall contain the detailed reasons for which the application was denied. The applicant shall have the right to appeal the denial and be given a hearing within 30 days of the appeal. On appeal, the decision shall be upheld unless the applicant demonstrates that the applicant is in fact eligible for licensure and the application is in compliance with this chapter.
19323.(a)Provided the applicant has not committed an act or crime constituting grounds for the denial of licensure under Section 19321, a licensing authority may issue a state license and send a proof of issuance to the applicant.
(b)A licensing authority shall, by regulation, prescribe conditions upon which a person whose state license has previously been denied, suspended, or revoked, may be issued a state license.
19324.The office may adopt regulations to limit the number of state licenses issued pursuant to this chapter upon a finding that the otherwise unrestricted issuance of state licenses is dangerous to the public health and safety.
5.Regulation of Medical Cannabis19325.(a)Except as provided in Section 11362.5 of, and Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of, the Health and Safety Code, a person shall not sell medical cannabis to a patient or caregiver other than at a licensed dispensing facility or through delivery from a licensed dispensing facility.
(b)Except as provided in Section 11362.5 of, and Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of, the Health and Safety Code, a person shall not grow medical cannabis other than at a licensed cultivation site.
(c)Except as provided in Section 11362.5 of, and Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of, the Health and Safety Code, a person other than a licensed manufacturer shall not manufacture medical cannabis or medical cannabis products.
(d)A person other than a licensed transporter shall not transport medical cannabis from one facility issued a state license to another.
(e)A licensed manufacturer may obtain medical cannabis from a licensed cultivator and may furnish medical cannabis products to a licensed dispensary.
(f)Medical cannabis and medical cannabis products shall be tested by a certified testing laboratory.
(g)For purposes of this section, license includes a provisional license issued pursuant to Section 19330.
(h)This section shall become operative on July 1, 2017.
19326.(a)A licensee shall not cultivate, process, store, manufacture, transport, or sell medical cannabis in the state unless accurate records are kept at the licensed premises of the growing, processing, storing, manufacturing, transporting, or selling by the licensee.
(b)A licensee shall keep, at the licensed premises, accurate records of the specific commercial cannabis activity conducted by the licensee. The records shall include, at a minimum, all of the following for each batch of product:
(1)The name and address of the supplier.
(2)The dates on which the product was received.
(3)The amounts, form, and batch and lot number.
(4)The location of the cultivation site.
(5)The name of the employee who received the product.
(6)Records demonstrating compliance by the licensee with state and federal rules and regulations regarding reporting and taxation of income received.
(7)Receipts for all expenditures incurred by the licensee and banking records, if any, for all funds obtained or expended in the performance of any activity under the authority of the state license.
(c)Records shall be kept for a minimum of seven years.
(d)The office and an appropriate state or local agency may examine the books and records of a state licensee and may visit and inspect the premises of a state licensee, as the office or state or local agency deems necessary to perform its duties under this chapter.
(e)Books or records requested by the office or an appropriate state or local agency shall be provided by the licensee no later than five business days after the request is made.
(f)The office or a state or local agency may enter and inspect the premises of a facility issued a state license between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on any day that the facility is open, or at any reasonable time, to ensure compliance and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter or a local ordinance.
(g)If a licensee or an employee of a licensee refuses, impedes, obstructs, or interferes with an inspection pursuant to this section, the state license may be summarily suspended and the licensing authority shall directly commence proceedings for the revocation of the state license.
(h)If a licensee or an employee of a licensee fails to maintain or provide the books and records required pursuant to this section, the licensee shall be subject to a civil fine of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) per individual violation.
(i)All cultivation and dispensing licensees shall be subject to an annual audit, as specified by the licensing authority, in order to ensure proper documentation is kept at each site or facility. The reasonable costs of the audit shall be paid for by the licensee.
19327.(a)A licensee may only hold a state license in up to two separate license categories, as follows:
(1)Type 1, 1A, and 5 licensees may apply for type 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B licenses or type 10, 11, and 12 licenses.
(2)Type 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B licensees may apply for type 1, 1A, and 5 licenses or type 10, 10D, 11, 11D, 12, and 12D licenses.
(3)Type 10, 11, and 12 licensees may apply for type 1, 1A, and 5 licenses or type 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B licenses.
(4)Type 10D, 11D, and 12D licensees may apply for type 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B licenses.
(b)Types 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 4, and 8 licensees shall not hold licenses in any other category.
(c)Type 9 licensees may apply only for one additional license from either the cultivation, manufacturing, or dispensing category.
(d)It is the intent of the Legislature to further develop which licensees may hold more than one license type.
19328.Each licensing authority shall make recommendations to the Legislature pertaining to the establishment of an appeals and judicial review process for persons aggrieved by a final decision of the licensing authority.
19329.This chapter and Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) and Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code do not require an employer to permit or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transportation, sale, or growth of cannabis in the workplace or affect the ability of employers to have policies restricting the use of cannabis by employees, or prevent employers from complying with federal law.
6.Provisional Licensing19330.(a)Each licensing authority shall, as soon as practicable following January 1, 2016, allow a qualified applicant for licensure to apply for and receive a provisional license to engage in commercial cannabis activity so as to ensure an adequate supply of medical cannabis upon full implementation of this chapter.
(b)Each licensing authority shall establish appropriate fees not to exceed the reasonable regulatory costs to the licensing authority for the issuance of a provisional license under its jurisdiction.
(c)Each licensing authority shall, if the applicant meets all the requirements in this section, issue a provisional license to individuals and entities that the licensing authority determines were, during the three months prior to January 1, 2016, regularly cultivating, processing, manufacturing, transporting, or distributing medical cannabis collectively or cooperatively in full compliance with any applicable local ordinance, and to continue to do so until the licensees application for a state license has been approved or denied under this chapter, but no later than 90 days after the licensing authority begins accepting applications for regular state licenses. The licensing authority may consult with relevant local agencies in making a determination on whether a provisional license applicant is in compliance with applicable ordinances.
(d)To qualify for a provisional license, an applicant shall disclose to the appropriate licensing authority all of the following information in writing:
(1)The names, addresses, and dates of birth of each principal officer, owner, or board member.
(2)The common street address and assessors parcel number of the property at which the licensee conducts activity under the authority of the license.
(3)The common street address and assessors parcel number of the property at which cultivation activity was or is to be conducted.
(4)For the three months prior to January 1, 2016, the quantity of cannabis cultivated, processed, manufactured, tested, transported, or sold at a location, and the quantity expected to be cultivated, processed, manufactured, tested, transported, or sold from January 1, 2016, to July 1, 2016, inclusive. The licensee shall make its records of current activity, and activity for the three months prior to January 1, 2016, available to the licensing authority upon request.
(5)For an applicant seeking a cultivation or dispensary license, a notarized statement from the owner of real property or landlord where the cultivation or dispensing of commercial cannabis activities will occur, as proof to demonstrate the landowner has acknowledged and consented to permit cultivation or dispensary activities to be conducted on the property by the tenant applicant.
(e)Upon receipt of the application materials and fee, if the applicant meets all the requirements of this section and if the applicant has not committed any act or crime constituting grounds for the denial of licensure, the licensing authority shall issue a provisional license and send a proof of issuance to the applicant.
(f)Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a licensing authority shall not issue a provisional license to an individual or entity, or for a premises, against whom there are pending state or local administrative or judicial proceedings or actions initiated by a city, county, or city and county under an applicable local ordinance, or who has been determined through those proceedings to have violated a local ordinance related to cannabis activity, or that knowingly provides false or fraudulent information on an application for licensure.
(g)Entities that are provided immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election, shall be considered the equivalent of entities that are registered, permitted, or licensed as a medical cannabis business, dispensary, or other entity involved in providing medical cannabis to patients under a local ordinance and shall be considered in compliance with a local ordinance for the purposes of this section.
(h)A provisional licensee shall comply with all standards and requirements applicable to a licensee under this chapter, including, but not limited to, the production, recordkeeping, security, and transportation requirements and standards.
(i)Beginning July 1, 2017, all commercial cannabis activity shall be conducted between licensees of commercial cannabis activity. If the licensing authority has not promulgated its respective regulations by that date, the licensing authority shall provide an extension for all provisional licenses for applicants abiding by the provisions of this chapter.
7.Licensed Cultivation Sites19332.(a)The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation in the Department of Food and Agriculture shall promulgate regulations governing the licensing of cultivation sites. For purposes of this chapter, the Secretary of the Department of Food and Agriculture shall declare medical cannabis to be an agricultural product. The department shall develop standards for the production and labeling of all edible medical cannabis products, standards for the use of pesticides and rodenticides in cultivation, and, in consultation with the State Department of Public Health, maximum tolerances for pesticides, rodenticides, and other foreign object residue in harvested cannabis.
(b)The Department of Food and Agriculture shall have the authority necessary for the implementation of this chapter. Department regulations shall do all of the following:
(1)Provide that weighing or measuring devices used in connection with the sale or distribution of medical cannabis are required to meet standards analogous to Division 5 (commencing with Section 12001).
(2)Require that the application of pesticides or other pest control in connection with the indoor or outdoor cultivation of medical cannabis shall meet standards analogous to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) of the Food and Agricultural Code and its implementing regulations.
(3)Require that indoor and outdoor cannabis cultivation by licensees is conducted in accordance with state and local laws and best practices related to land conversion, grading, electricity usage, water usage, agricultural discharges, and similar matters.
(c)State licenses to be issued by the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation are as follows:
(1)Type 1, or specialty outdoor, for outdoor cultivation of less than 5,000 square feet of total area on one property. Maximum of 50 mature plants on the property.
(2)Type 1A, or specialty indoor, for indoor cultivation of less than 5,000 square feet of total area on one property. Maximum of 50 mature plants on the property.
(3)Type 2, or small outdoor, for outdoor cultivation between 5,001 and 10,000 square feet of total area on one property. Maximum of 99 mature plants on the property.
(4)Type 2A, or small indoor, for indoor cultivation between 5,001 and 10,000 square feet of total area on one property. Maximum of 99 mature plants on the property.
(5)Type 3, or medium outdoor, for outdoor cultivation between 10,001 and 30,000 square feet of total area on one property. Maximum of 299 mature plants on the property. The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall limit the number of licenses allowed of this type.
(6)Type 3A, or medium indoor, for indoor cultivation between 10,001 and 30,000 square feet of total area on one property. Maximum of 299 mature plants on the property. The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall limit the number of licenses allowed of this type.
(7)Type 4, or large outdoor, for outdoor cultivation greater than 30,001 square feet of total area on one property. Maximum of 500 mature plants on the property. The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall limit the number of licenses allowed of this type.
(8)Type 5, or nursery, for cultivation of medical cannabis solely as a nursery. Type 5 licensees may transport live plants.
(d)All license fees collected by the division pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited into the Medical Cannabis Cultivation Fees Account, which is hereby established within the fund. All moneys within this account are available upon appropriation by the Legislature to the division solely for the purposes of fully funding and administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, the costs incurred by the division for its administrative expenses and costs and the costs of regulation.
(e)It is the intent of the Legislature to establish appropriate protocols for the collection of the specific location of cultivation sites.
8.Licensed Dispensing Facilities19334.(a)The State Board of Equalization shall promulgate regulations governing the licensing and regulation of wholesalers, dispensing facilities, and transporters. State enforcement shall be conducted in coordination with local authorities.
(b)State licenses to be issued by the State Board of Equalization are as follows:
(1)Type 9, or wholesale, for the storage of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products. Maximum storage shall be two pounds of dried flower or 200 individual units per medical cannabis product.
(2)Type 10, or small dispensary, for dispensaries with 1-50 employees, including management.
(3)Type 10D, or small dispensary-delivery, for dispensaries with the same restrictions as Type 10; also allows for delivery.
(4)Type 11, or medium dispensary, for dispensaries with 51-100 employees, including management.
(5)Type 11D, or medium dispensary-delivery, for dispensaries with the same restrictions as Type 11; also allows for delivery.
(6)Type 12, or large dispensary, for dispensaries with 100 employees or more, including management.
(7)Type 12D, or large dispensary-delivery, for dispensaries with the same restrictions as Type 12; also allows for delivery.
(8)Type 13, or transport, for transporters of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.
9.Licensed Transporters19336.(a)A licensee authorized to transport, or transport and deliver, medical cannabis and medical cannabis products shall do so only as set forth in this chapter.
(b)Prior to transporting or delivering medical cannabis or medical cannabis products, a licensee authorized to transport or deliver medical cannabis or medical cannabis products shall do both of the following:
(1)Complete an electronic shipping manifest as prescribed by the licensing authority. All delivery shipping manifests shall not identify the qualified patient or primary caregiver by name or address.
(2)Securely transmit the manifest to the licensing authority and the licensee that will receive the medical cannabis product, as applicable.
(c)During transportation or delivery, the licensed transporter shall maintain a physical copy of the shipping manifest and make it available upon request to agents of the licensing authority, local law enforcement officers, or any other designated enforcement agency.
(d)The licensee receiving the shipment shall maintain each electronic shipping manifest and shall make it available upon request to agents of the licensing authority, local law enforcement officers, or any other designated enforcement agency.
(e)Upon receipt of the transported shipment, a licensee shall submit to the licensing agency a record verifying receipt of the shipment and the details of the shipment.
19337.(a)Transported and delivered medical cannabis or medical cannabis products shall be transported only in a storage compartment that is securely affixed to the interior of the transporting vehicle and that is not visible from outside the vehicle. This requirement shall only apply to licensees transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products with a total retail value of at least an amount equal to a statewide monetary threshold, which shall be adopted by regulation by the licensing authority after review by the task force and the office.
(b)A vehicle transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products shall travel only directly between licensed facilities, unless otherwise authorized under its license.
(c)All transport or delivery vehicles shall be staffed with a minimum of two employees. At least one employee shall remain with the vehicle at all times when the vehicle contains medical cannabis. This requirement shall only apply to licensees transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products with a total retail value of at least an amount equal to a statewide monetary threshold, which shall be adopted by regulation by the licensing authority after review by the task force and the office.
(d)Each transport or delivery team member shall possess documentation of licensing and a government-issued identification card at all times when transporting or delivering medical cannabis and shall produce it upon the request of agents of any regulatory authority or a law enforcement official.
19338.(a)The licensing authority shall develop a database containing the electronic shipping manifests, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
(1)The quantity, or weight, and variety of products shipped.
(2)The estimated times of departure and arrival.
(3)The quantity, or weight, and variety of products received.
(4)The actual time of arrival.
(5)A categorization of the product.
(b)The database shall be designed to flag irregularities for a regulatory authority to investigate. An authorized enforcement authority may, at any time, inspect shipments and request documentation for current inventory.
19339.(a)This chapter shall not be construed to authorize or permit a licensee to transport or deliver, or cause to be transported or delivered, cannabis or cannabis products outside the state, unless authorized by federal law.
(b)A local jurisdiction shall not prevent transportation of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products on public roads by a licensee transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products that acts in compliance with this chapter and applicable local ordinances.
19340.(a)All mobile, vehicular, and Internet-based delivery services are prohibited except as authorized by this chapter.
(b)Upon approval of the licensing authority, a licensee authorized to provide delivery services shall abide by the following:
(1)The city, county, or city and county in which the premises of the licensee is located, and in which each delivery is made, must specifically permit delivery service by ordinance referring to this section.
(2)All employees delivering medical cannabis or medical cannabis products must carry a current license authorizing those services with them during deliveries, and must present that license upon request to state and local law enforcement, employees of regulatory authorities, and other state and local agencies enforcing this chapter.
(c)A city, county, or city and county shall have the authority to impose a tax, pursuant to Section 19355, on each delivery transaction completed by a licensee.
(d)Whenever a licensing authority has knowledge that a licensee has transported or delivered, or arranged or facilitated the transport or delivery of, medical cannabis or medical cannabis products in violation of this chapter, the licensing authority shall summarily suspend that facilitys license and shall without delay commence proceedings for the revocation of the license in accordance with this chapter.
(e)All license fees collected by the licensing authority pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited into the Medical Cannabis Retail Fees Account, which is hereby established within the fund. All moneys within the Medical Cannabis Retail Fees Account are available upon appropriation to the State Board of Equalization, solely for the purposes of fully funding and administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, the costs incurred by the board for its administrative expenses and costs and the costs of regulation.
10.Licensed Manufacturers and Certified Laboratories19342.(a)The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing within the State Department of Public Health shall promulgate regulations governing the licensing of cannabis manufacturers.
(b)Licenses to be issued by the division are as follows:
(1)Type 6A, or small manufacturing level 1, for manufacturing sites that use a maximum of XXX pounds of medical cannabis each year to produce medical cannabis products, using nonvolatile solvents.
(2)Type 6B, or small manufacturing level 2, for manufacturing sites that use a maximum of XXX pounds of medical cannabis each year to produce medical cannabis products, using volatile solvents.
(3)Type 7A, or large manufacturing level 1, for manufacturing sites that use a maximum of XXX pounds of medical cannabis each year to produce medical cannabis products, using nonvolatile solvents. The division shall limit the number of licenses of this type.
(4)Type 7B, or large manufacturing level 2, for manufacturing sites that use a maximum of XXX pounds of medical cannabis each year to produce medical cannabis products, using volatile solvents. The division shall limit the number of licenses of this type.
(5)Type 8, or testing, for testing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products. Type 8 licensees shall have their facilities certified according to regulations set forth by the division.
(c)All license fees collected by the division pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited into the Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing Fees Account, which is hereby established within the fund. All moneys within the Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing Fees Account are available upon appropriation by the Legislature to the division, solely for the purposes of fully funding and administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, the costs incurred by the division for its administrative expenses and costs and the costs of regulation.
19343.(a)The State Department of Public Health shall promulgate standards for certification of testing laboratories to perform random sample testing of all medical cannabis products, including standards for onsite testing.
(b)Certification of testing laboratories shall be consistent with general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration activities, including sampling, using standard methods established by the International Organization for Standardization, specifically ISO/IEC 17020 and ISO/IEC 17025.
(c)These requirements shall apply to all entities, including third-party laboratories, engaged in the testing of medical cannabis pursuant to this chapter.
19344.(a)A laboratory certified by the department to perform random sample testing of medical cannabis products shall not acquire, process, possess, store, transfer, transport, or dispense medical cannabis for any purpose other than those authorized by Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code. All transfer or transportation shall be performed pursuant to a specified chain of custody protocol.
(b)A laboratory certified by the department to perform random sample testing of medical cannabis products shall not acquire, process, possess, store, transfer, transport, or dispense medical cannabis plants or medical cannabis products except through a patient, primary caregiver, or a facility issued a state license. All transfer or transportation shall be performed pursuant to a specified chain of custody protocol.
(c)The department shall develop procedures to ensure that testing of cannabis occurs prior to delivery to dispensaries or any other business, and specify how often licensees shall test cannabis, that the cost of testing shall be borne by the licensed cultivators, and requiring destruction of harvested batches whose testing samples indicate noncompliance with health and safety standards promulgated by the department, unless remedial measures can bring the cannabis into compliance with quality assurance standards as promulgated by the department.
(d)The department shall establish a certification fee, and laboratories shall pay a fee to be certified. Certification fees shall not exceed the reasonable regulatory cost of the certification activities.
(e)All certification fees collected by the department pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited into the Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing Fees Account, which is hereby established within the fund.
19345.(a)The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing within the State Department of Public Health shall promulgate the following standards:
(1)Health and safety standards applicable to all medical cannabis, and medical cannabis products, including maximum potency standards.
(2)Standards for licensed manufacturers of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, including, but not limited to, edible products.
(b)At a minimum, the standards required by this section shall do all of the following:
(1)Prescribe sanitation standards analogous to the California Retail Food Code (Part 7 (commencing with Section 113700) of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code) for food preparation, storage, handling, and sale of edible medical cannabis products. For purposes of this chapter, edible medical cannabis products are deemed to be unadulterated food products.
(2)Require that edible medical cannabis products produced, distributed, provided, donated, or sold by licensees shall be limited to nonpotentially hazardous food, as established by the State Department of Public Health pursuant to Section 114365.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(3)Require that facilities in which edible medical cannabis products are prepared shall be constructed in accordance with applicable building standards, health and safety standards, and other state laws.
(4)Require that all edible medical cannabis products shall be packaged at the original point of preparation.
(c)No person shall engage in the manufacture, packing, or holding of processed food containing edible cannabis unless the person has a valid registration from the department pursuant to Section 110460 of the Health and Safety Code. Health and safety standards prescribed by this section or promulgated through regulation may be enforced by local environmental health departments.
19346.(a)Prior to sale or distribution at a licensed dispensing facility, edible medical cannabis products shall be labeled and in a tamper-evident package. Labels and packages of edible medical cannabis products shall meet the following requirements:
(1)Edible medical cannabis packages and labels shall not be made to be attractive to children.
(2)All edible medical cannabis product labels shall include the following information, prominently displayed and in a clear and legible font:
(A)Manufacture date and source.
(B)The statement KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND ANIMALS in bold print.
(C)The statement FOR MEDICAL USE ONLY.
(D)The statement THE INTOXICATING EFFECTS OF THIS PRODUCT MAY BE DELAYED BY UP TO TWO HOURS.
(E)Net weight of medical cannabis in the package.
(F)A warning if nuts or other known allergens are used and the total weight, in ounces or grams, of medical cannabis in the package.
(G)List of pharmacologically active ingredients, including, but not limited to, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) content, the THC amount in milligrams per serving, servings per package, and the THC amount in milligrams for the package total.
(H)Clear indication, in bold type, that the product contains medical cannabis.
(I)Identification of the source and date of cultivation and manufacture.
(J)The name and location of the licensed dispensing facility providing the product.
(K)The date of sale.
(L)Any other requirement set by the department.
(b)Only generic food names may be used to describe edible medical cannabis products.
11.Cannabis Employee Certification and Apprenticeship19350.This article applies only to cultivation sites and dispensaries.
19351.The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall do all of the following:
(a)Maintain minimum standards for the competency and training of employees of a licensed cultivator or dispensary through a system of testing and certification.
(b)Maintain an advisory committee and panels as necessary to carry out its functions under this article. There shall be employer representation on the committee and panels.
(c)Adopt regulations as determined to be necessary to implement this article.
(d)Issue certification cards to employees certified pursuant to this article.
(e)Establish registration fees in an amount reasonably necessary to implement this article, not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for the initial registration. There shall be no fee for annual renewal of registration. Fees collected for cultivation sites and dispensaries shall be placed into the Medical Cannabis Cultivation Fee Account and the Medical Cannabis Retail Fee Account, respectively.
19352.(a)By January 1, 2017, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall develop a certification program for cannabis employees. Commencing January 1, 2019, except as provided in subdivision (c), certification shall be required of all persons who perform work as cannabis employees.
(b)Individuals desiring to be certified shall submit an application for certification and examination.
(c)(1)Certification is not required for registered apprentices working as cannabis employees as part of a state-approved apprenticeship program. An apprentice who is within one year of completion of his or her term of apprenticeship shall be permitted to take the certification examination and, upon passing the examination, shall be certified immediately upon completion of the term of apprenticeship.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2019, an uncertified person may perform work for which certification is otherwise required in order to acquire the necessary on-the-job experience for certification provided that the person shall be under the direct supervision of a cannabis employee certified pursuant to this section who is responsible for supervising no more than one uncertified person.
(3)The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement may develop additional criteria governing this subdivision.
19353.(a)The following shall constitute additional grounds for disciplinary proceedings, including suspension or revocation of the license issued pursuant to this chapter:
(1)The licensee willfully employs one or more uncertified persons to perform work as cannabis employees in violation of this article.
(2)The licensee willfully fails to provide adequate supervision of uncertified workers.
(3)The licensee willfully fails to provide adequate supervision of apprentices.
(b)The Labor Commissioner shall maintain a process for referring cases to the appropriate regulatory authority when it has been determined that a violation of this section has likely occurred. The Labor Commissioner shall have a memorandum of understanding with the regulatory authorities in furtherance of this section.
(c)Upon receipt of a referral by the Labor Commissioner alleging a violation under this section, the appropriate licensing authority shall open an investigation. Disciplinary action against the licensee shall be initiated within 60 days of the receipt of the referral. The licensing authority may initiate disciplinary action against a licensee upon his or her own investigation, the filing of a complaint, or a finding that results from a referral from the Labor Commissioner alleging a violation under this section. Failure of the employer or employee to provide evidence of certification or apprentice status shall create a rebuttable presumption of violation of this section.
(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2019.
12.Taxation19355.The office and other state agencies may assist state taxation authorities in the development of uniform policies for the state taxation of state licensees.
19356.(a)(1) In addition to any authority otherwise provided by law, the board of supervisors of a county may impose, by ordinance, a tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, producing, processing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling, or distributing cannabis by a licensee operating pursuant to this chapter. The tax may be imposed for general governmental purposes or for purposes specified in the ordinance by the board of supervisors.
(2)The board of supervisors shall specify in the ordinance proposing the tax the activities subject to the tax, the applicable rate or rates, the method of apportionment, and the manner of collection of the tax. A tax imposed pursuant to this section is a tax and not a fee or special assessment, and the tax is not required to be apportioned on the basis of benefit to any person or property or be applied uniformly to all taxpayers or all real property.
(3)A tax imposed by a county pursuant to this section by a county may include a transactions and use tax imposed solely for cannabis or cannabis products, which shall otherwise conform to Part 1.6 (commencing with Section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. Notwithstanding Section 7251.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, the tax may be imposed at any rate specified by the board of supervisors, and the tax rate authorized by this section shall not be considered for purposes of the combined tax rate limitation established by that section.
(4)The tax authorized by this section may be imposed upon any or all of the activities set forth in paragraph (1), regardless of whether the activity is undertaken individually, collectively, or cooperatively, and regardless of whether the activity is for compensation or gratuitously, as determined by the board of supervisors.
(5)The board of supervisors shall specify whether the tax applies throughout the entire county or within the unincorporated area of the county.
(b)In addition to any other method of collection authorized by law, the board of supervisors may provide for the collection of the tax imposed pursuant to this section in the same manner, and subject to the same penalties and priority of lien, as other charges and taxes fixed and collected by the county.
(c)Any tax imposed pursuant to this section shall be subject to applicable voter approval requirements imposed by any other law.
(d)For purposes of this section, cannabis shall have the same meanings as the definition set forth in Section 19300.
(e)This section does not limit or prohibit the levy or collection or any other fee, charge, or tax, or any license or service fee or charge upon, or related to, the activities set forth in subdivision (a), as otherwise provided by law. This section shall not be construed as a limitation upon the taxing authority of any county as provided by other law.
13.Funding19360.Each licensing authority shall establish a scale of application, licensing, and renewal fees, based upon the cost of enforcing this chapter, as follows:
(a)Each licensing authority shall charge each licensee a licensure or renewal fee. The licensure or renewal fee shall be calculated to cover the costs of administering this chapter. The licensure fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with administering the various regulatory requirements of this chapter as they relate to the nature and scope of the different licensure activities, but shall not exceed the reasonable regulatory costs to the licensing authority.
(b)The total fees assessed pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, provisional license fees set forth in Section 19330, shall be set at an amount that will fairly and proportionately generate sufficient total revenue to fully cover the total costs of administering this chapter.
19361.(a)The Medical Cannabis Regulation Fund is hereby established within the State Treasury. Notwithstanding Section 16305.7 of the Government Code, the fund shall include any interest and dividends earned on the moneys in the fund.
(b)Except as otherwise provided, all moneys collected pursuant to this chapter as a result of fines or penalties imposed under this chapter shall be deposited directly into the Medical Cannabis Fines and Penalties Account, which is hereby established within the fund, and shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature to the office, for the purposes of funding the enforcement grant program pursuant to subdivision (c).
(c)(1)The office shall establish a grant program to allocate moneys from the Medical Cannabis Fines and Penalties Account to state and local entities for the following purposes:
(A)To assist with medical cannabis regulation and the enforcement of this chapter and other state and local laws applicable to cannabis activities.
(B)For allocation to state and local agencies and law enforcement to remedy the environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation.
(2)The costs of the grant program under this subdivision shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be paid for with moneys in the Medical Cannabis Fines and Penalties Account.
(d)Funds for the establishment and support of the regulatory activities pursuant to this chapter may be advanced as a General Fund or special fund loan, and shall be repaid by the initial proceeds from fees collected pursuant to this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter, by January 1, 2022.
14.Reporting19363.On or before March 1 of each year, the director shall prepare and submit to the Legislature an annual report on the offices activities and post the report on the office's Internet Web site. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the following information for the previous fiscal year:
(a)The amount of funds allocated and spent by the office and licensing authorities for medical cannabis licensing, enforcement, and administration.
(b)The number of state licenses issued, renewed, denied, suspended, and revoked, by state license category.
(c)The average time for processing state license applications, by state license category.
(d)The number and type of enforcement activities conducted by the licensing authorities and by local law enforcement agencies in conjunction with the licensing authorities or the office.
(e)The number, type, and amount of penalties, fines, and other disciplinary actions taken by the licensing authorities.
15.Privacy19365.(a)Information identifying the names of patients, their medical conditions, or the names of their primary caregivers received and contained in records kept by the office or licensing authorities for the purposes of administering this chapter are confidential and shall not be disclosed pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code), except as necessary for authorized employees of the State of California or any city, county, or city and county to perform official duties pursuant to this chapter, or a local ordinance.
(b)Nothing in this section precludes the following:
(1)Employees of any of the office or licensing authorities notifying state or local agencies about information submitted to the agency that the employee suspects is falsified or fraudulent.
(2)Notifications from any of the office or licensing authorities to state or local agencies about apparent violations of this chapter or applicable local ordinance.
(3)Verification of requests by state or local agencies to confirm licenses and certificates issued by the regulatory authorities or other state agency.
(4)Provision of information requested pursuant to a court order or subpoena issued by a court or an administrative agency or local governing body authorized by law to issue subpoenas.
(c)Information shall not be disclosed by any state or local agency beyond what is necessary to achieve the goals of a specific investigation, notification, or the parameters of a specific court order or subpoena.
SEC. 7.Section 11362.775 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:11362.775.Qualified
(a) Subject to subdivision (b), qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and the designated primary caregivers of qualified patients and persons with identification cards, who associate within the State of California in order to collectively or cooperatively to cultivate marijuana cannabis for medical purposes, shall not solely on the basis of that fact be subject to state criminal sanctions under Section 11357, 11358, 11359, 11360, 11366, 11366.5, or 11570.
(b)This section shall remain in effect only until 180 days after the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation within the State Board of Equalization posts a notice on its Internet Web site that the licensing authorities have commenced issuing provisional licenses pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 19300) of Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code), and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 8.Section 147.5 is added to the Labor Code, to read:147.5.(a)By January 1, 2017, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health shall convene an advisory committee to evaluate whether there is a need to develop industry-specific regulations related to the activities of facilities issued a license pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 19300) of Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code.
(b)By July 1, 2017, the advisory committee shall present to the board its findings and recommendations for consideration by the board. By July 1, 2017, the board shall render a decision regarding the adoption of industry-specific regulations pursuant to this section.
SEC. 9.Section 3094 is added to the Labor Code, to read:3094.The Division of Apprenticeship Standards shall investigate, approve, or reject applications for apprenticeship programs for employees of a licensee subject to Article 11 (commencing with Section 19350) of Chapter 3.5 of Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code. The Division of Apprenticeship Standards shall adopt regulations necessary to implement and regulate the establishment of the apprenticeship programs described in this section.
SEC. 10.Section 2402.5 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:2402.5.The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall establish protocols to determine whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of cannabis, and shall develop protocols setting forth best practices to assist law enforcement agencies. The costs to the Department of the California Highway Patrol of implementing this subdivision shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be paid for with appropriations from moneys in the Fines and Penalties Account of the Medical Cannabis Regulation Fund.
SEC. 11.The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
SEC. 12.The Legislature finds and declares that Section 6 of this act, which adds Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 19300) to Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:
It is necessary to maintain the confidentiality of patient and physician information provided to the regulatory authorities in order to protect the private medical information of patients who use medical cannabis and to preserve the essential confidentiality of the physician and patient relationship.
SEC. 13.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
All matter omitted in this version of the bill appears in the bill as amended in the Assembly, May 20, 2015. (JR11)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The people of California enacted the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 to ensure that seriously ill Californians have access to marijuana for medical purposes. The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 urged the state and federal governments to implement a plan to provide for the safe and affordable distribution of medical marijuana to all patients in medical need of the drug.
(b)Under federal law, marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug. Its placement in that schedule is based upon a finding that marijuana has no currently accepted medical use. That finding, if correct at the time it was made, is no longer accurate. California, exercising its traditional power to regulate the practice of medicine, has determined that marijuana has a significant role to play.
(c)California, acting alone, is powerless to change federal law and to correct this misunderstanding in federal law about the role that marijuana can and does play in the practice of medicine. However, federal enforcement authorities have recognized that in states that have authorized marijuana use and have enacted strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems to control the cultivation, distribution, sale, and possession of marijuana, conduct in compliance with those regulatory and enforcement systems is less likely to threaten federal priorities and, thus, less likely to require federal enforcement intervention (See: Memorandum For All United States AttorneysGuidance Regarding Marijuana Enforcement, by James M. Cole, Deputy Attorney General, August 29, 2013).
(d)The purpose of this act is to establish for California a robust medical cannabis regulatory and enforcement system to ensure that conduct in compliance with Californias medical marijuana laws does not threaten the federal priorities as set forth in the James M. Cole memorandum, and, therefore, does not require federal enforcement intervention.
(e)Nothing in this act or Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) or Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code is intended to preempt any local ordinance regulating or banning the cultivation, processing, manufacturing, testing, transportation, distribution, provision, donation, or sale of medical cannabis, or to otherwise prevent or limit a city, county, or city and county from adopting or enforcing a zoning ordinance or other law, ordinance, or regulation that bans or regulates the location, operation, or establishment of any individual or other person that cultivates, processes, possesses, stores, manufactures, tests, transports, distributes, provides, donate, or sells cannabis.
(f)Nothing in this act is intended to require an employer to permit or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transportation, sale, or growth of marijuana in the workplace, or to affect the ability of employers to have policies restricting the use of marijuana by employees, or otherwise complying with federal law.
SEC. 2.Section 2220.05 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2220.05.(a)In order to ensure that its resources are maximized for the protection of the public, the Medical Board of California shall prioritize its investigative and prosecutorial resources to ensure that physicians and surgeons representing the greatest threat of harm are identified and disciplined expeditiously. Cases involving any of the following allegations shall be handled on a priority basis, as follows, with the highest priority being given to cases in the first paragraph:
(1)Gross negligence, incompetence, or repeated negligent acts that involve death or serious bodily injury to one or more patients, such that the physician and surgeon represents a danger to the public.
(2)Drug or alcohol abuse by a physician and surgeon involving death or serious bodily injury to a patient.
(3)Repeated acts of clearly excessive prescribing, furnishing, or administering of controlled substances, or repeated acts of prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing of controlled substances, or recommending marijuana to patients for medical purposes, without a good faith prior examination of the patient and medical reason therefor. However, in no event shall a physician and surgeon prescribing, furnishing, or administering controlled substances for intractable pain consistent with lawful prescribing, including, but not limited to, Sections 725, 2241.5, and 2241.6 of this code and Sections 11159.2 and 124961 of the Health and Safety Code, be prosecuted for excessive prescribing and prompt review of the applicability of these provisions shall be made in any complaint that may implicate these provisions.
(4)Sexual misconduct with one or more patients during a course of treatment or an examination.
(5)Practicing medicine while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
(b)The board may by regulation prioritize cases involving an allegation of conduct that is not described in subdivision (a). Those cases prioritized by regulation shall not be assigned a priority equal to or higher than the priorities established in subdivision (a).
(c)The Medical Board of California shall indicate in its annual report mandated by Section 2312 the number of temporary restraining orders, interim suspension orders, and disciplinary actions that are taken in each priority category specified in subdivisions (a) and (b).
SEC. 3.Section 2242 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2242.(a)Prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing dangerous drugs as defined in Section 4022 without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication, constitutes unprofessional conduct. Prescribing or recommending marijuana to a patient for a medical purpose without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication constitutes unprofessional conduct.
(b)No licensee shall be found to have committed unprofessional conduct within the meaning of this section if, at the time the drugs were prescribed, dispensed, or furnished, any of the following applies:
(1)The licensee was a designated physician and surgeon or podiatrist serving in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be, and if the drugs were prescribed, dispensed, or furnished only as necessary to maintain the patient until the return of his or her practitioner, but in any case no longer than 72 hours.
(2)The licensee transmitted the order for the drugs to a registered nurse or to a licensed vocational nurse in an inpatient facility, and if both of the following conditions exist:
(A)The practitioner had consulted with the registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse who had reviewed the patients records.
(B)The practitioner was designated as the practitioner to serve in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be.
(3)The licensee was a designated practitioner serving in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be, and was in possession of or had utilized the patients records and ordered the renewal of a medically indicated prescription for an amount not exceeding the original prescription in strength or amount or for more than one refill.
(4)The licensee was acting in accordance with Section 120582 of the Health and Safety Code.
SEC. 4.Section 2264 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2264.The employing, directly or indirectly, the aiding, or the abetting of any unlicensed person or any suspended, revoked, or unlicensed practitioner to engage in the practice of medicine or any other mode of treating the sick or afflicted which requires a license to practice constitutes unprofessional conduct. Employment by, or other agreement with, a mandatory commercial licensee acting pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act or a dispensary to provide recommendations for medical marijuana constitutes unprofessional conduct.
SEC. 5.Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) is added to Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code, to read:18.Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control1.General Provisions26000.(a)This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act.
(b)It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to provide for the statewide regulation of the commercial cannabis activity and the enforcement of laws relating to commercial cannabis activities without preempting city or county ordinances regulating or banning these activities. This chapter is an exercise of the police powers of the state for the protection of the safety, welfare, health, peace, and morals of the people of the state.
(c)Nothing in this chapter, or any regulations promulgated thereunder, shall be deemed to limit the authority or remedies of a city or county under any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 26010 or 26060 or Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
26001.Without limiting the authority of a city or county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, or any other provision of law, and subject to that authority, the state shall have the primary right and power to regulate and license persons for the cultivation, manufacture, transportation, sale, and other related activities regarding medical cannabis within the state. In the exercise of these rights and powers, the state and each of its agencies are hereby deemed not to be engaged in activities requiring licensure under this chapter.
26002.For the purpose of this chapter:
(a)Regulatory authority means the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing within the State Department of Public Health, or the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation within the Department of Food and Agriculture, as appropriate to the context.
(b)Regulatory director means the Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Director of the Department of Public Health, or the Director of the Department of Food and Agriculture.
(c)Division means the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, unless otherwise specified.
(d)Cannabis means all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., cannabis indica, or cannabis ruderalis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin, whether crude or purified, extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin. It does not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant which is incapable of germination. Cannabis also means marijuana as defined by Section 11018 of the Health and Safety Code as enacted by Chapter 1407 of the Statutes of 1972.
(e)Commercial cannabis activity means any cultivation, possession, manufacture, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, distribution, or sale of cannabis or cannabis product, or any Internet platform that facilitates any of these functions for the purpose of selling medical cannabis or medical cannabis products to qualified patients or caregivers, except as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 26052.
(f)Medical cannabis, medical cannabis product, medical marijuana product, or cannabis product means any product containing cannabis, including, but not limited to, concentrates and extractions intended to be sold for use by medical marijuana patients in California pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Proposition 215).
(g)Manufactured cannabis means raw marijuana that has undergone a process whereby the raw agricultural product has been transformed into a concentrate, an edible product, or a topical product.
(h)Cannabis concentrate means manufactured cannabis that has undergone a process to concentrate the tetrahydrocannabinol cannabinoid active ingredient, thereby increasing the products potency.
(i)Cannabinoid means a chemical compound that is unique to and derived from cannabis, also known as phytocannabinoid.
(j)Edible cannabis product means manufactured cannabis that is intended to be used, in whole or in part, for human consumption, including, but not limited to, chewing gum.
(k)Topical cannabis means manufactured product intended for external use.
(l)Identification program means the universal identification certificate program for licensees.
(m)Mandatory commercial license or license means a mandatory commercial license issued pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 26040).
(n)Licensee means any person licensed under this chapter to engage in commercial cannabis activity related to medical cannabis or medical cannabis products as set forth in this chapter.
(o)Dispensary means a nonmobile, nonvehicular, non-Internet- based retail location that distributes medical cannabis or medical cannabis products and is owned and operated by a licensee for these activities pursuant to this chapter.
(p)Testing and labeling means a labeling and quality assurance plan that addresses all of the following:
(1)Potency.
(2)Chemical residue.
(3)Microbiological contaminants.
(4)Handling, care, and storage.
(5)Date and location of cultivation, processing, and manufacturing.
(q)Fund means the Medical Cannabis Control Fund established pursuant to Section 26028.
(r)Person means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation, limited liability company, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, syndicate, or any other group or combination acting as a unit and includes the plural as well as the singular number.
(s)Cultivation site means a location that grows medical cannabis or medical cannabis products and is owned and operated by a licensee for these activities pursuant to this chapter, including a nursery.
(t)Nursery means a licensee that produces only clones, immature plants, seeds, and other agricultural products used specifically for the planting, propagation, and cultivation of medical cannabis.
(u)Cultivation means any activity involving the planting, growing, harvesting, drying, processing, or trimming of cannabis.
(v)Dispensing means any activity involving the retail sale of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products. products from a dispensary.
(w)Labor peace agreement means an agreement between a licensee and a bona fide labor organization that, at a minimum, protects the states proprietary interests by prohibiting labor organizations and members from engaging in picketing, work stoppages, boycotts, and any other economic interference with the applicants business. This agreement means that the applicant has agreed not to disrupt efforts by the bona fide labor organization to communicate with, and attempt to organize and represent, the applicants employees. The agreement shall provide a bona fide labor organization access at reasonable times to areas in which the applicants employees work, for the purpose of meeting with employees to discuss their right to representation, employment rights under state law, and terms and conditions of employment. This type of agreement shall not mandate a particular method of election or certification of the bona fide labor organization.
(x)Manufacturing site means a location that conducts the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, or processing of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products, either directly or indirectly or by extraction processes, or independently by means of chemical synthesis or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis, and includes a location that packages or repackages medical cannabis or medical cannabis products or labeling or relabeling of its container, and is owned and operated by a licensee for these activities pursuant to this chapter.
(y)Transport means the commercial transfer of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products from the business location of one mandatory commercial licensee to another mandatory commercial licensee, for the purposes of conducting commercial cannabis activity authorized by licensees pursuant to this chapter.
(z)Delivery means the commercial transfer of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products from a dispensary to a primary caregiver or qualified patient, as defined in Section 11362.7 of the Health and Safety Code.
(aa)Live plants means living medical cannabis flowers and plants, including seeds, immature plants, and vegetative stage plants.
(ab)Dried flower means all dead medical cannabis that has been harvested, dried, cured, or otherwise processed.
26010.This chapter does not, nor does Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) and Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, prevent a city or county from doing any of the following:
(a)Adopting local ordinances inconsistent with this chapter that do the following:
(1)Regulate the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or any person that cultivates, processes, possesses, stores, manufactures, tests, transports, distributes, or sells medical cannabis.
(2)Prohibit commercial cannabis activity within their jurisdiction.
(b)The administrative, civil, or criminal enforcement of the ordinances described in subdivision (a).
(c)Establishing a fee or tax for the operation of a licensee within its jurisdiction.
(d)Enacting and enforcing other laws or ordinances pursuant to the authority granted by Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
26011.(a)All manufactured medical cannabis and medical cannabis products shall be packaged and labeled, and shall adhere to labeling and packaging standards, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)All labels shall include the manufacturing date, the name of the mandatory commercial licensee from which it was obtained, the active ingredients, net weight, cannabinoid profile, nutritional facts, any potential allergens, and the amount in milligrams of cannabinoids per serving, servings per package, and the amount in milligrams of cannabinoids in the total package.
(2)All labels shall include the warnings: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND ANIMALS, and FOR MEDICAL USE ONLY.
(3)All packaging shall contain a clear indication in bold font that the package contains medical cannabis.
(4)All packages shall not be designed in a manner that attracts minors.
(5)All labels shall clearly distinguish edible cannabis products from noncannabis products.
(6)All packages shall show the name of the mandatory commercial licensee that tested the product, the testing batch number, and the date the test was completed.
(b)All medical cannabis and medical cannabis products shall abide by consumer protection, food and product safety requirements, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)All manufacturers of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products shall abide by sanitation standards equivalent to the California Retail Food Code (Part 7 (commencing with Section 113700) of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code) for food preparation, storage, handling, and sale of medical cannabis products. For purposes of this chapter, edible medical cannabis products are deemed to be unadulterated food products.
(2)All edible medical cannabis products shall be limited to foods that are not potentially hazardous food as set forth in Section 114365.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(3)All edible medical cannabis products shall be packaged at the original point of preparation.
2.Administration26020.(a)The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement is hereby established within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement shall do all of the following:
(1)Be administered by a person who is appointed by the Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Governor.
(2)Administer this chapter, as it pertains to commercial cannabis activity relating to dispensaries.
(3)Lead all state and local authorities regarding the tracking of medical cannabis, medical cannabis products, and licensees pursuant to this chapter.
(b)The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing is hereby established within the Department of Public Health. The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing shall do all the following:
(1)Be administered by a person who is appointed by the State Health Officer. Governor.
(2)Administer this chapter, as it pertains to manufacturing, testing, and certification of testing laboratories for medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.
(c)The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation is hereby established within the Department of Food and Agriculture. The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall do all of the following:
(1)Be administered by a person who is appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Food and Agriculture. Governor.
(2)Administer this chapter as it pertains to cultivation of medical cannabis.
(d)The regulatory authorities shall issue licenses to applicants to engage in commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter. No person shall engage in commercial cannabis activity unless the person obtains permission pursuant to section Section 26045.
(e)The division shall maintain a registry of all permit holders and shall maintain a record of all licenses and commercial cannabis activity of the permit holder throughout the length of licensure and for a minimum of seven years following the expiration of each license. The division shall make limited licensee information available to a licensee so that it may verify whether it is engaging in commercial cannabis activities with a properly licensed entity.
(f)Each regulatory authority shall adopt regulations as needed to implement that licensing program as set forth in Article 3 (commencing with Section 26040) within one year following the establishment of provisional licenses, pursuant to Section 26054. The regulations shall not limit the authority of a city or a county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, Section 26010 or 26060, or any other law. The regulations shall, in addition, do all of the following:
(1)Establish a scale of application, licensing, and renewal fees, based upon the cost of enforcing this chapter, as follows:
(A)Each regulatory authority shall charge each applicant for licensure or renewal an application or renewal fee that shall be calculated to cover the costs of processing the application or renewal. This fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with approving the application or renewal related to the varying activities covered by the license, but shall not exceed the reasonable regulatory costs to the regulatory authority.
(B)Each regulatory authority shall charge each licensee a licensure fee upon the issuance of a license. The licensure fee shall be calculated to cover the costs of administering this chapter, other than the costs of processing applications. The licensure fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with administering the various regulatory requirements of this chapter as they relate to the nature and scope of the different licensure activities, but shall not exceed the reasonable regulatory costs to the regulatory authority.
(C)The total fees assessed pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, provisional license fees set forth in Section 26054, shall be set at an amount that will fairly and proportionately generate sufficient total revenue to fully cover the total costs of administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, costs set forth in Section 26023.
(2)Establish procedures for approval or denial of applications for licensure for each and every aspect of commercial cannabis activity, including, but not limited to, cultivation, possession, manufacture, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, distribution, and sale of cannabis.
(3)Establish applicant qualifications.
(4)Establish licensee employee qualifications, including, but not limited to, training and screening requirements.
(5)Establish licensee security requirements, including, but not limited to, procedures to limit access to facilities and to prevent diversion of product to nonmedical use.
(6)Establish procedures and protocols for identifying, managing, and disposing of contaminated, adulterated, deteriorated, or excess product.
(7)Establish advertising, marketing, signage, and labeling requirements and restrictions.
(8)Establish procedures for the suspension, revocation, or surrender of a license and establishing related fines and penalties to be assessed against licensees for violations of this chapter.
(9)Establish procedures for the collaborative oversight of the fund fund, and its related accounts, established pursuant to Section 26028.
26020.1.(a)The regulatory authorities, by March 1, 2016, shall convene a task force which shall advise the regulatory authorities on the development of standards pursuant to this chapter. The task force shall be responsible for determining the appropriate roles of each state entity as it pertains to this chapter, and shall establish clear guidelines on communication and information sharing between state entities for implementation of this chapter. Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the task force shall submit a report on these standards, determinations, and guidelines for implementation of this chapter, to the Legislature and state entities affected by this chapter by August 1, 2016. The report submitted to the Legislature shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(b)The task force shall be comprised of representatives of medical cannabis consumer advocates, environmental experts, public health experts, medical cannabis industry representatives, the related regulatory authorities, labor, and law enforcement. The task force may also be comprised of representatives for the State Board of Equalization and Attorney General, and other state agencies, as deemed appropriate. The task force shall have a minimum of nine members, with one-third of the members appointed by the California State Assembly, one-third of the members appointed by the California State Senate, and one-third of the members appointed by the Governor. If there is an unequal divide between these three entities, the Governor shall make appointments for the difference.
(c)Task force members shall serve on a voluntary basis and shall be responsible for any costs associated with their participation in the task force. The regulatory authorities shall not be responsible for travel costs incurred by task force members or otherwise compensating task force members for costs associated with their participation in the task force.
26021.For purposes of this chapter, the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture shall declare medical cannabis to be an agricultural product. The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall do all of the following:
(a)Adopt regulations, in consultation with the State Water Resources Control Board, to ensure that commercial cannabis activity licensed pursuant to this chapter does not threaten the states clean water and environment.
(b)Adopt regulations ensuring that the cultivation of cannabis under this chapter is in compliance with standards equivalent to the statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the production of a food crop, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Regulations regarding the verification of cannabis stock for the purposes of cultivation.
(2)Cultivation protocols ensuring the quality, availability, and safety of the cannabis crop, including both indoor and outdoor cultivation standards and regulations regarding carbon offsets for indoor cultivation.
(3)Environmentally sound agricultural practices, including all of the following:
(A)A requirement that any actual, or potential for, environmental damage be addressed by the relevant state agency, including, but not limited to, the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, California regional water quality control boards, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, or the Department of Justice.
(B)A provision authorizing suspension or revocation of a licensee if the state determines that the conduct of the licensee threatens to inflict or has inflicted significant damage to the environment.
(C)Standards controlling the application of pesticides. These standards shall, at a minimum, require that if pesticides are to be used, the use comply with standards equivalent to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) of the Food and Agricultural Code and its implementing regulations. regulations, in compliance with federal law.
(c)Adopt regulations to establish cultivation labeling and packaging standards and requirements, including, but not limited to, cultivation labeling requirements requiring labeling to include, at a minimum, cannabinoid levels, cannabinoid profile, and active ingredients.
(d)In consultation with the State Department of Public Health, establish testing standards for medical cannabis.
(e)Ensure cultivation licenses licensees have access to existing agricultural incentive and support programs.
(f)Establish weighing or measuring standards, including, but not limited to, the requirement that devices used in connection with the sale or distribution of cannabis meet standards equivalent to Division 5 (commencing with Section 12001).
(g)Establish standards controlling the application of pesticides. These standards shall, at a minimum, require that if pesticides are to be used, the use comply with standards equivalent to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) of the Food and Agricultural Code and its implementing regulations.
(g)Assess an administrative fine upon a licensee for each violation of any regulation promulgated pursuant to subdivision (a) to (c), inclusive, in an amount equal to the costs to remedy any environmental damage caused by the violation or violations.
(h)In consultation with other regulatory authorities, establish transportation and delivery standards for manufactured medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, including standards related to the transport and delivery of perishable and nonperishable medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.
(i)Adopt any other regulations necessary to fully implement the provisions of this chapter related to the cultivation of medical cannabis.
26021.5.(a)State agencies shall collaborate with local agencies, and local agencies, within the scope of their jurisdiction, and to the extent that resources are available, shall assist state agencies in the enforcement of this chapter. agencies to enforce this chapter to the extent that it is within the scope of other statutory responsibilities of local agencies and to the extent that resources for this enforcement are available to the local agencies. This section shall not limit any other state or local requirements.
(b)No cannabis shall Cannabis shall not be cultivated on public lands pursuant to this chapter.
26022.The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing shall adopt regulations to do for all of the following:
(a)Establish product labeling and packaging standards and requirements, including, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)All manufactured cannabis product labeling and packaging standards, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)A requirement that the label include the manufacturing date, the name of the mandatory commercial licensee from which it was obtained, the active ingredients, net weight, cannabinoid profile, nutritional facts, any potential allergens, and the amount in milligrams of cannabinoids per serving, servings per package, and the amount in milligrams of cannabinoids in the total package.
(B)A requirement that the label include the warnings: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND ANIMALS, and FOR MEDICAL USE ONLY.
(C)A requirement that packaging contain a clear indication in bold font that the package contains medical cannabis, and that the package not be designed in a manner that attracts minors.
(D)Standards for labeling food that clearly distinguish edible cannabis products from non-cannabis products.
(E)The name of the mandatory commercial licensee that manufactured the product.
(b)Establish consumer protection, food and product safety requirements, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Adverse event reporting and product recall systems that include batch, lot, or control number tracking, the requirement that employees who manufacture or otherwise handle edible medical cannabis products thoroughly wash their hands before commencing production and before handling finished edible medical cannabis products.
(2)Standards for the amount, in milligrams, of cannabinoids per serving in edible products.
(3)Sanitation standards equivalent to the California Retail Food Code (Part 7 (commencing with Section 113700) of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code) for food preparation, storage, handling, and sale of medical cannabis products. For purposes of this chapter, edible medical cannabis products are deemed to be unadulterated food products.
(4)A requirement that edible medical cannabis products be limited to foods that are not potentially hazardous food as set forth in Section 114365.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(5)Standards controlling the application of pesticides. These standards shall, at a minimum, require that if pesticides are to be used, the use comply with standards equivalent to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) of the Food and Agricultural Code and its implementing regulations.
(6)A requirement that all edible medical cannabis products shall be individually wrapped at the original point of preparation.
(c)Establish testing
(a)Testing requirements for all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, including edible cannabis products and those used, or intended for use, via inhalation, including, but not limited to:
(1)Testing for the active cannabinoid-profile, constituent elements, and microbiological, bacterial, pathogenic yeast, and mold counts.
(2)Testing standards by which to test and measure the potency of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products. The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing shall also determine maximum standards in the potency of medical cannabis and potency standards for medical cannabis products.
(3)Testing standards by which to test and measure the quality of the medical cannabis and medical cannabis product.
(4)Protocols for medical cannabis and medical cannabis product safety testing.
(d)Establish procedures
(b)Procedures for certifying laboratories for the testing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, as defined in this chapter. Certification of testing laboratories shall be consistent with general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration activities, including sampling, using standard methods established by the International Organization for Standardization, including, but not limited to, ISO/IEC 17020 and 17025. The Department of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing may use an outside accreditation body, approved by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation, to assist in certification of laboratories.
(c)Consumer protection standards for manufactured medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1)Adverse event reporting and product recall systems that include batch, lot, or control number tracking, and the requirement that employees who manufacture or otherwise handle edible medical cannabis products thoroughly wash their hands before commencing production and before handling finished edible medical cannabis products.
(2)Standards for the amount, in milligrams, of cannabinoids per serving in edible products.
(d)Safety protocols and standards of protocol for all levels of manufacturing medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.
(e)In consultation with other regulatory authorities, transportation and delivery standards for manufactured medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, including standards related to the transport and delivery of perishable and nonperishable medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.
(f)Any other regulations necessary to fully implement the provisions of this chapter related to the manufacturing and testing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.
26023.The division shall adopt regulations for all of the following:
(a)Minimum educational and testing requirements for dispensary licensee staff, including, but not limited to, background checks and a requirement that every dispensary maintain dedicated, licensed security staff, as deemed appropriate by the division.
(b)Inventory and control protocols.
(c)Protocols for the safe, secure storage of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products by wholesale and dispensary licensees.
(d)Maximum allowed storage for dispensaries and wholesale sites of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.
(e)In consultation with other regulatory authorities, transportation and delivery standards for medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, including standards related to the transport and delivery of perishable and nonperishable medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.
(f)Any other regulations necessary to fully implement the provisions of this chapter related to the dispensing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.
26023.26023.5The regulations shall set forth the inspection and enforcement responsibilities of the Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control, the State Department of Public Health, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the State Water Resources Control Board, the State Department of Public Health, and the Department of Food and Agriculture associated with this chapter.
26023.5.(a)Without limiting the authority of a city or a county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution or any other law, the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement shall adopt regulations regarding the minimum standards for the operation of dispensaries. The regulations shall establish all of the following:
(1)A requirement that dispensaries provide patients with detailed written information about the contents of the cannabis and medical cannabis products they obtain.
(2)Requirements for inventory control and reporting that require all dispensaries to be able to demonstrate the present location, amounts, and descriptions of all medical cannabis products from the time of delivery to the dispensary until purchase by a qualified patient or primary caregiver.
(3)Minimum educational and testing requirements for licensee staff, including, but not limited to, background checks and a requirement that every dispensary maintain dedicated, licensed security staff as deemed appropriate by the division.
(4)Minimum standards governing signage and advertising for dispensaries.
(b)Commencing 180 days after the division begins issuing provisional licenses, a dispensary shall provide patients medical cannabis and medical cannabis products obtained only from persons licensed under this chapter.
(c)Out-of-state medical cannabis patients with current, valid verification that they are allowed to receive medical cannabis treatment within their home state may receive medical cannabis treatment, including the ability to purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries within this state upon verification of the documents by the dispensary, pursuant to protocols established by the division.
26024.The regulatory authorities may assist state taxation authorities in the development of uniform policies for the state taxation of mandatory commercial licensees.
26028.(a)The Medical Cannabis Control Fund is hereby established within the State Treasury. Notwithstanding Section 16305.7 of the Government Code, the fund shall include any interest and dividends earned on the moneys in the fund.
(b)All license fees collected by the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited into the fees account, Medical Cannabis Cultivation Fees Account, which is hereby established within the fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys within the fees this account are hereby continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal year, to the appropriate regulatory authority Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation solely for the purposes of fully funding and administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, the costs incurred by the regulatory authority Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation for its administrative expenses and costs and the costs of regulation as set forth in Section 26023. 26021.
(c)All administrative fines collected pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 26021 shall be deposited into the Environmental Safety Account, which is hereby established within the fund, and shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation for allocation to state and local agencies and law enforcement to remedy the environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation.
(d)All license fees collected by the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited into the Medical Cannabis Manufacturing Fees Account, which is hereby established within the fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys within the Medical Cannabis Manufacturing Fees Account are hereby continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal year to the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing, solely for the purposes of fully funding and administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, the costs incurred by the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing for its administrative expenses and costs and the costs of regulation as set forth in Section 26022.
(e)All license fees collected by the division pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited into the Medical Cannabis Retail Fees Account, which is hereby established within the fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys within the Medical Cannabis Retail Fees Account are hereby continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal year, to the division, solely for the purposes of fully funding and administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, the costs incurred by the division for its administrative expenses and costs and the costs of regulation as set forth in Section 26023.
(c)All
(f)Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c) and in Section 26064, all moneys collected pursuant to this chapter as a result of fines or penalties imposed under this chapter shall be deposited directly into the fines and penalties account, Medical Cannabis Cultivation Fines and Penalties Account, Medical Cannabis Manufacturing Fines and Penalties Account, and Medical Cannabis Retail Fines and Penalties Account, respectively, which is are hereby established within the fund, and shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the division, the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation, and the Division of Manufacturing and Testing, respectively, for the purposes of funding the enforcement grant program pursuant to subdivision (d).
(d)The regulatory authorities shall collaboratively
(g)Each regulatory authority shall establish and administer a grant program to allocate moneys from the fines and penalties account to state and local entities for the purpose of assisting with medical cannabis regulation and the enforcement of this chapter and other state and local laws applicable to licensees. cannabis activities. The costs of the grant program under this subdivision shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be paid for with moneys in the fines and penalties account.
(e)
(h)The Department of Transportation shall conduct research regarding determining Department of the California Highway Patrol shall establish protocols to determine whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of cannabis, and shall develop protocols setting forth best practices to assist law enforcement agencies. The costs of the Department of Transportation Department of the California Highway Patrol under this subdivision shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be paid for with equal appropriations from moneys in the fines and penalties account. accounts.
(f)
(i)The total fees charged pursuant to this chapter shall be sufficient to pay the costs associated with the administrative and enforcement duties of the division regulatory authorities and of the associated state agencies in administering this chapter.
(g)
(j)The regulatory authorities shall enter into an interagency agreement with the Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, the State Department of Public Health, and the Department of Food and Agriculture setting forth the duties of those agencies under this chapter and providing for reimbursement to the appropriate state and local authorities of associated costs from revenues deposited into the fees account of the fund.
26030.(a)The regulatory directors and the persons employed by the regulatory authorities for the administration and enforcement of this chapter are peace officers in the enforcement of the penal provisions of this chapter, the rules of the division adopted under this chapter, and any other penal provisions of law of this state prohibiting or regulating the cultivation, processing, storing, manufacturing, testing, transporting, or selling of medical cannabis, and these persons are authorized, while acting as peace officers, to enforce any penal provisions of state law while in the course of their employment.
(b)The regulatory directors, the persons employed by the regulatory authorities for the administration and enforcement of this chapter, peace officers listed in Section 830.1 of the Penal Code, and those officers listed in Section 830.6 of the Penal Code while acting in the course and scope of their employment as peace officers may, in enforcing this chapter, visit and inspect the premises of any licensee at any time during which the licensee is acting pursuant to the mandatory commercial license.
(c)Peace officers of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, members of the University of California and California State University police departments, and peace officers of the Department of Parks and Recreation, as defined in subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (f) of Section 830.2 of the Penal Code, may, in enforcing this chapter, visit and inspect the premises of any licensee at any time during which the licensee is acting pursuant to the license.
26034.(a)Information identifying the names of patients, their medical conditions, or the names of their primary caregivers received and contained in records kept by the regulatory authorities for the purposes of administering this chapter are confidential and shall not be disclosed pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code), except as necessary for authorized employees of the State of California or any city or county to perform official duties pursuant to this chapter, or a local ordinance adopted in accordance with Section 26010.
(b)Nothing in this section precludes the following:
(1)Employees of any of the regulatory authorities notifying state or local agencies about information submitted to the regulatory authority that the employee suspects is falsified or fraudulent.
(2)Notifications from any of the regulatory authorities to state or local agencies about apparent violations of this chapter or any applicable local ordinance.
(3)Verification of requests by state or local agencies to confirm licenses and certificates issued by the regulatory authorities or other state agency.
(4)Provision of information requested pursuant to a court order or subpoena issued by a court or an administrative agency or local governing body authorized by law to issue subpoenas.
(c)Information shall not be disclosed by any state or local agency beyond what is necessary to achieve the goals of a specific investigation, a notification, or the parameters of a specific court order or subpoena.
26035.This chapter does chapter and Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) and Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code do not require an employer to permit or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transportation, sale, or growth of cannabis in the workplace or to affect the ability of employers to have policies restricting the use of cannabis by employees. employees, or prevent employers from complying with federal law.
3.Mandatory Commercial License26040.(a)The regulatory authorities shall adopt regulations establishing a tiered licensing scheme to accommodate the different levels and types of activity to be licensed, as follows: following licenses are allowable for commercial cannabis activity, pursuant to an authorization by a regulatory authority:
(1)The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall adopt regulations for a tiered licensing structure for the cultivation of medical cannabis.
(2)The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing shall adopt regulations for the tiered licensing structure of the following:
(A)Manufacturing of medical cannabis products.
(B)Testing of medical cannabis products.
(C)Certification of medical cannabis testing laboratories.
(3)The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement shall adopt regulations for the tiered licensing structure for all the following:
(A)Wholesale of medical cannabis products, which shall include large-scale storage and distribution, as defined by the regulatory authority.
(B)Dispensing of medical cannabis products.
(1)Licenses authorized by the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation are as follows:
(A)Type 1, or specialty outdoor, for outdoor cultivation of less than 5,000 square feet of total area on one property. Maximum of 50 mature plants on the property.
(B)Type 1A, or specialty indoor, for indoor cultivation of less than 5,000 square feet of total area on one property. Maximum of 50 mature plants on the property.
(C)Type 2, or small outdoor, for outdoor cultivation between 5,001 and 10,000 square feet of total area on one property. Maximum of 99 mature plants on the property.
(D)Type 2A, or small indoor, for indoor cultivation between 5,001 and 10,000 square feet of total area on one property. Maximum of 99 mature plants on the property.
(E)Type 3, or medium outdoor, for outdoor cultivation between 10,001 and 30,000 square feet of total area on one property. Maximum of 299 mature plants on the property. The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall limit the number of licenses allowed of this type.
(F)Type 3A, or medium indoor, for indoor cultivation between 10,001 and 30,000 square feet of total area on one property. Maximum of 299 mature plants on the property. The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall limit the number of licenses allowed of this type.
(G)Type 4, or large outdoor, for outdoor cultivation greater than 30,001 square feet of total area on one property. Maximum of 500 mature plants on the property. The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall limit the number of licenses allowed of this type.
(H)Type 5, or nursery, for cultivation of medical cannabis solely as a nursery. Type 5 licensees may transport live plants.
(2)Licenses authorized by the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing are as follows:
(A)Type 6A, or small manufacturing level 1, for manufacturing sites that use a maximum of ____ pounds of medical cannabis each year to produce medical cannabis products, using nonvolatile solvents.
(B)Type 6B, or small manufacturing level 2, for manufacturing sites that use a maximum of ____ pounds of medical cannabis each year to produce medical cannabis products, using volatile solvents.
(C)Type 7A, or large manufacturing level 1, for manufacturing sites that use a maximum of ____ pounds of medical cannabis each year to produce medical cannabis products, using nonvolatile solvents. The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing shall limit the number of licenses of this type.
(D)Type 7B, or large manufacturing level 2, for manufacturing sites that use a maximum of ____ pounds of medical cannabis each year to produce medical cannabis products, using volatile solvents. The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing shall limit the number of licenses of this type.
(E)Type 8, or testing, for testing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products. Type 8 licensees shall have their facilities certified according to regulations set forth by the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing.
(3)Licenses authorized by the division are as follows:
(A)Type 9, or wholesale, for the storage of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products. Maximum storage shall be two pounds of dried flower or 200 individual units per medical cannabis product.
(B)Type 10, or small dispensary, for dispensaries with 1-50 employees, including management.
(C)Type 10D, or small dispensary-delivery, for dispensaries with the same restrictions as Type 10; also allows for delivery.
(D)Type 11, or medium dispensary, for dispensaries with 51-100 employees, including management.
(E)Type 11D, or medium dispensary-delivery, for dispensaries with the same restrictions as Type 11; also allows for delivery.
(F)Type 12, or large dispensary, for dispensaries with 100 employees or greater, including management.
(G)Type 12D, or large dispensary-delivery, for dispensaries with the same restrictions as Type 12; also allows for delivery.
(4)(A)Licensees may only hold up to two separate license categories, as follows:
(i)Type 1, 1A, and 5 licensees may apply for type 6A, 6A, 7A, and 7B licenses or type 10, 11, 12 licenses.
(ii)Type 6A, 6A, 7A, and 7B licensees may apply for type 1, 1A, and 5 licenses or type 10, 10D, 11, 11D, 12, and 12D licenses.
(iii)Type 10, 11, and 12 licensees may apply for type 1, 1A, and 5 licenses or type 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B licenses.
(iv)Type 10D, 11D, and 12D licensees may apply for type 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B licenses.
(B)Types 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 4, and 8 licensees shall not hold licenses in any other category.
(C)Type 9 licensees may apply only for one additional license from either the cultivation, manufacturing, or dispensing category.
(b)The regulations shall regulatory authorities shall adopt regulations to set forth the application and licensure process, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)A description of the various specific forms of commercial cannabis activity to be authorized by the various types of licenses.
(2)The establishment of license application, issuance, renewal, suspension, surrender, and revocation procedures for the various types of licenses to be issued.
(3)The procedures for the issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of mandatory commercial licenses.
(4)Time periods, not to exceed 90 days, by which the division shall approve or deny an application for mandatory commercial licensure. The failure of the regulatory authority to act upon an application for licensure within the time prescribed shall not be deemed approval of the application.
(5)Qualifications for licensees.
(6)Security requirements, including, but not limited to, procedures for limiting access to facilities and for the screening of employees.
(c)Each mandatory commercial license application approved by the respective licensing authority pursuant to this chapter is separate and distinct.
(d)A mandatory commercial license application approved by the respective licensing authority pursuant to this chapter shall be valid for a period not to exceed one year from the date of approval unless revoked or suspended earlier than that date pursuant to this chapter or the rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(e)Each regulatory authority may adopt regulations for additional licenses for any cannabis activity within its statutory jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter, as deemed necessary.
(f)Each mandatory commercial license application approved by the respective regulatory authority shall be reported to the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement division within 24 hours of its approval.
26041.Regulations adopted by the regulatory authorities shall require, at a minimum, all of the following, as applicable:
(a)The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall adopt regulations for cultivation of medical cannabis that do all of the following:
(1)Require that the cultivation licensee comply with all regulations of the Department of Food and Agriculture pursuant to this chapter regarding the cultivation of medical cannabis.
(2)Require that the cultivation licensee comply with any other applicable requirement pursuant to this chapter.
(3)Establish criteria for different tiers of cultivation licenses, including, but not limited to small, mid-sized, and large commercial cultivation licenses, based on the area, in square feet, in cannabis cultivation.
(4)Authorize commercial cultivation licensees to transport and deliver medical cannabis for commercial purposes to only another licensee of commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter. Cultivation licensees, without a separate dispensary license, who deliver directly to any entity not licensed pursuant to this chapter shall be fined and be under review for the revocation of licensure by the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation.
(5)Require licensees to track all cannabis products and report to the division, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(6)Require a cultivation licensee to obtain a sellers permit from the Board of Equalization to validate the authority of the licensee to sell commercial cannabis products to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity.
(7)Require a cultivation licensee to obtain a resale certificate upon the sale of cannabis to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity, to track the quantities exchanged.
(8)Require all medical cannabis to be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary. If the licensee has a separate dispensary license, all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products must be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to retail directly to consumers.
(9)Ensure cultivation licensees have access to existing agricultural incentive and support programs.
(b)The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing shall adopt regulations for testing of medical cannabis that do all of the following:
(1)Prohibit a testing licensee from receiving medical cannabis products except through a regulatory authority or a medical cannabis licensee.
(2)Prohibit a testing licensee from being licensed for any other activity authorized under this article, and from holding an ownership interest in any real property, personal property, or other assets associated or used in any other license category.
(3)Require the licensee to follow any other applicable requirement of the division pursuant to this chapter.
(c)Regulations on the manufacturing of medical cannabis shall do all of the following:
(1)Require the manufacturing licensee comply with all regulations of the State Department of Public Health pursuant to this chapter regarding the manufacturing and testing of medical cannabis.
(2)Require the manufacturing licensee comply with any other applicable requirement pursuant to this chapter.
(3)Establish criteria for different tiers of manufacturing licenses, including, but not limited to small, mid-sized, and large commercial manufacturing licenses.
(4)Authorize commercial manufacturing licensees to transport and deliver medical cannabis for commercial purposes to only another licensee of commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter. Manufacturing licensees, without a separate dispensary license, who deliver directly to any entity not licensed pursuant to this chapter shall be fined and be under review for the revocation of licensure by the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing.
(5)Require licensees to track all cannabis products and report to the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(6)Require a manufacturing licensee to obtain a sellers permit from the Board of Equalization to validate the authority of the licensee to sell commercial manufactured cannabis products to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity.
(7)Require a manufacturing licensee to obtain a resale certificate upon the sale of manufactured medical cannabis products to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity, to track the quantities exchanged.
(8)Require all manufactured medical cannabis and medical cannabis products to be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary. If the licensee has a separate dispensary license, all manufactured cannabis and medical cannabis products shall be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to retail sale directly to consumers.
(d)The division shall adopt regulations for the dispensing of medical cannabis that do all of the following:
(1)Require the dispensary licensee comply with all regulations of the division pursuant to this chapter regarding the dispensing of medical cannabis
(2)Require the dispensary licensee comply with any other applicable requirements pursuant to this chapter.
(3)Allow dispensary licensees to store limited quantities of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products for commercial purposes pursuant to this chapter, in a manner deemed safe and secure by the regulatory authority.
(4)Allow all non-mobile, non-vehicular, and non-Internet-based dispensaries to be licensed to transport medical cannabis and medical cannabis products directly to consumers.
(5)Require all mobile, vehicular and Internet-based dispensaries to maintain a business contract with a non-vehicular and non-mobile dispensary, and report all records of commercial activity to said entity.
(6)Require licensees to track all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products and report to the division, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(7)Require all dispensary licensees to obtain a sellers permit from the Board of Equalization to validate the authority of the licensee to sell medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, and to maintain receipts of all sales transactions.
(8)Require that, upon receipt of medical cannabis, manufactured medical cannabis, and medical cannabis products, the dispensary licensee shall request and record evidence that the product has been tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter.
(e)Regulations for the wholesale of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products shall do all of the following:
(1)Require all wholesale licensees to comply with all regulations of the division pursuant to this chapter regarding the wholesale storage and distribution of medical cannabis.
(2)Require the wholesale licensee comply with any other applicable requirements of the division pursuant to this chapter.
(3)Establish criteria for the qualifications of a wholesale licensee, including maximum quantities of medical cannabis that each licensee may store at one time.
(4)Authorize all wholesale licensees to do commercial business with only other licensees of commercial cannabis activity. All other licensees under this chapter shall not be required to work only with a wholesale licensee directly.
(5)Require that all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary. If the licensee has a separate dispensary license, all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products must be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to retail directly to consumers.
(6)Require licensees to track all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products and report to the Division on Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(f)All regulations related to transportation of cannabis shall require a medical cannabis licensee to do all of the following:
(1)Maintain intrastate operating authority.
(2)Maintain interstate operating authority, for the commercial purposes of the licensee, and only to the extent permitted by federal law.
(3)Be allowed by local jurisdictions to transport medical cannabis, if the licensee is in compliance with this chapter.
26041.(a)All licensees authorized by the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation for the cultivation of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products shall:
(1)Comply with all regulations of the Department of Food and Agriculture pursuant to this chapter regarding the cultivation of medical cannabis.
(2)Comply with any other applicable requirements of this chapter.
(3)Transport only medical cannabis or medical cannabis products for commercial purposes to only another licensee of commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter. Cultivation licensees that deliver directly to any entity not licensed pursuant to this chapter shall be fined and be under review for the revocation of licensure by the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation. Licensees that are not authorized to transport live plants explicitly by their license that transport or deliver live plants shall be fined and be under review for the revocation of licensure by the Division of Medical Cannabis.
(4)Track all cannabis products and report to the division, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(5)Obtain a sellers permit from the State Board of Equalization to validate the authority of the licensee to sell commercial cannabis products to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity.
(6)Obtain a resale certificate upon the sale of cannabis to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity, to track the quantities exchanged.
(7)Test all medical cannabis by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary. If the licensee has a separate dispensary license, all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products must be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to retail directly to consumers.
(b)All licensees authorized under the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing for the manufacturing or testing of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products shall:
(1)With regard to testing licensees only:
(A)Not receive medical cannabis or medical cannabis products except through a regulatory authority or a licensee of commercial cannabis activity.
(B)Not be licensed for any other activity authorized under this article, and from holding an ownership interest in any real property, personal property, or other assets associated or used in any other license category.
(2)With regard to manufacturing licensees only:
(A)Transport medical cannabis or medical cannabis products for commercial purposes only to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter. Manufacturing licensees, without a separate dispensary license, that deliver directly to any entity not licensed pursuant to this chapter shall be fined and be under review for the revocation of licensure by the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing.
(B)Obtain a sellers permit from the State Board of Equalization to validate the authority of the licensee to sell commercial manufactured cannabis products to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity.
(C)Obtain a resale certificate upon the sale of manufactured medical cannabis products to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity, to track the quantities exchanged.
(3)With regard to all licensees:
(A)Follow any other applicable requirement of this chapter.
(B)Comply with all regulations of the State Department of Public Health pursuant to this chapter regarding the manufacturing and testing of medical cannabis.
(C)Track all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products and report to the division, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(D)Test all manufactured medical cannabis by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary. If the licensee has a separate dispensary license, all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products must be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to retail directly to consumers.
(c)All licensed authorized by the division shall:
(1)Comply with all regulations of the division pursuant to this chapter regarding the dispensing of medical cannabis.
(2)Comply with any other applicable requirements of this chapter.
(3)Track all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products and report to the division, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(4)Licenses that are authorized to deliver medical cannabis and medical cannabis products may deliver medical cannabis and medical cannabis products that have been prepared in compliance with this chapter directly to qualified patients and primary caregivers.
(5)Test all medical and medical cannabis products by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary. If the licensee has a separate dispensary license, all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products must be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to retail directly to consumers.
(6)With regard to dispensary licensees only:
(A)Dispensary licensees may store limited quantities of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, as determined by the division for commercial purposes pursuant to this chapter, in a manner deemed safe and secure by the division.
(B)Out-of-state medical cannabis patients with current, valid verification that they are allowed to receive medical cannabis treatment within their home state may receive medical cannabis treatment, including the ability to purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries within this state upon verification of the documents by the dispensary, pursuant to protocols established by the division, and in accordance with this chapter.
(C)Obtain a sellers permit from the Board of Equalization to validate the authority of the licensee to sell medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, and to maintain receipts of all sales transactions.
(D)Upon receipt of medical cannabis, manufactured medical cannabis, and medical cannabis products, request and record evidence that the product has been tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter.
(E)Provide patients with detailed written information about the contents of the medical cannabis and medical cannabis products they obtain.
(F)Commencing 180 days after the division begins issuing provisional licenses, provide patients medical cannabis and medical cannabis products obtained only from persons licensed under this chapter.
(G)Be able to demonstrate the present location, amounts, and descriptions of all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products from the time of delivery to the dispensary until purchase by a qualified patient or primary caregiver.
(7)With regard to wholesale licensees only:
(A)Comply with all regulations of the division pursuant to this chapter regarding the wholesale storage and distribution of medical cannabis.
(B)Comply with any other applicable requirements of this chapter.
(C)Wholesale licensees may do commercial business only with other licensees of commercial cannabis activity. All other licensees under this chapter shall not be required to work only with a wholesale licensee directly.
(8)With regard to licensees authorized to transport or deliver medical cannabis or medical cannabis products:
(A)Maintain intrastate operating authority.
(B)Maintain interstate operating authority, for the commercial purposes of the licensee, and only to the extent permitted by federal law.
(C) Be allowed by local jurisdictions to transport medical cannabis, if the licensee is in compliance with this chapter.
(D)Only transport or deliver dried flower medical cannabis or medical cannabis products, unless otherwise specified by their license.
26041.5.(a)All licensees under this chapter shall:
(1)Abide by the guidelines for the destruction of contaminated, adulterated, deteriorated, or excess medical cannabis or medical cannabis product as follows:
(A)Liquid waste shall be disposed of in compliance all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, rules, and other requirements.
(B)Disposal of chemical, dangerous or hazardous waste shall be conducted in a manner consistent with federal, state and local laws, regulations, rules, or other requirements. This may include, but is not limited to, the disposal of all pesticide or other chemicals used in the cultivation process, certain solvents or other chemicals used in the production of medical cannabis concentrate or any medical cannabis soaked in a flammable solvent for purposes of producing a medical cannabis concentrate.
(C)All waste, including infused-product waste, shall be made unusable and unrecognizable prior to leaving the business location of the licensee. Waste may be made unrecognizable by grinding and incorporating the medical cannabis waste with nonconsumable, solid waste, with at least 50 percent of the mixture being nonmedical cannabis, such as paper, plastic, cardboard, food, grease or other compostable oil, bokashi or other compost activators, soil, or any other wastes approved by the regulatory authorities.
(D)Any other protocols set forth by the regulatory authorities.
(2)Meet minimum advertising, marketing, signage, and lighting requirements as follows:
(A)Signs or other advertising matter used in connection with the licensed premises of any licensee shall not be of any obnoxious, gaudy, blatant, of offensive nature, shall not appeal to minors, and shall in no manner contrary to the rules of the department obstruct the view of the interior of the premises from the street.
(B)No more than 33 percent of the square footage of the windows and clear doors of the business premises of a licensee shall bear advertising or signs of any sort, and all advertising and signage shall be placed and maintained in a manner that ensures that law enforcement personnel have a clear and unobstructed view of the interior of the premises, including the area in which the cash registers are maintained, from the exterior public sidewalk or entrance to the premises. This latter requirement shall not apply to premises where there are no windows, or where existing windows are located at a height that precludes a view of the interior of the premises to a person standing outside the premises.
(C)The exterior of the premises, including adjacent public sidewalks and all parking lots under the control of the licensee, shall be illuminated during all hours of darkness during which the premises are open for business in a manner so that persons standing in those areas at night are identifiable by law enforcement personnel. The required illumination shall be placed so as to minimize interference with the quiet enjoyment of nearby residents of their property.
(D)Licensees shall abide by all other requirements adopted through regulation by the regulatory authorities.
(3)Follow all regulations adopted by the regulatory authorities in order to implement and enforce this chapter.
(b)All licensees may test medical cannabis or medical cannabis products for the purposes of conducting quality assurance testing. Tests completed by licensees without a testing license shall not substitute tests required for commercial cannabis activity under this chapter. Any licensees found to be substituting tests required under this chapter with unauthorized tests shall be fined and be under review for the revocation of licensure by the appropriate regulatory authority.
26042.Each regulatory authority shall establish appropriate fees as part of its emergency regulations for the issuance of provisional licenses adopted pursuant to Section 26043.
26043.Each regulatory authority shall adopt, as soon as practicable, emergency regulations consistent with this chapter to allow a qualified applicant for licensure to apply for and receive a provisional license to engage in commercial cannabis activity so as to ensure an adequate supply of medical cannabis upon full implementation of this chapter as set forth in Section 26054.
26044.Every mandatory commercial license is renewable unless the license has been revoked if the renewal application is submitted and the fee for it is paid. A license that has been suspended, but not revoked, may be renewed under this section, however, the act of renewal shall not affect the suspension and the suspension shall remain in effect upon renewal. All licenses expire at 12 midnight on the last day of the month posted on the license. All licenses shall be renewed as follows:
(a)The application to renew the license may be filed before the license expires upon payment of the annual fee.
(b)For 60 days after the license expires, the license may be renewed upon payment of the annual renewal fee plus a penalty fee that shall be equal to 50 percent of the annual fee.
(c)Unless otherwise terminated, or unless renewed pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b), a license that is in effect on the month posted on the license continues in effect through 12 midnight of the 60th day following the month posted on the license, at which time it is automatically canceled.
(d)A license that has been canceled pursuant to subdivision (c) may be reinstated during the 30 days immediately following cancellation upon payment by cashiers check or money order of the annual renewal fee, plus a penalty fee that shall be equal to 100 percent of the annual fee. A license that has been canceled pursuant to subdivision (c) and that has not been reinstated within 30 days pursuant to this subdivision is automatically revoked on the 31st day after the license has been canceled.
(e)A renewal application shall not be deemed filed within the meaning of this section unless the document itself has been actually delivered to, and the required renewal fee has been paid at, any office of the division during office hours, or unless both the document and fee have been filed and remitted pursuant to Section 11003 of the Government Code.
26045.A person may engage in commercial cannabis activity only if the person has complied with all of the following conditions:
(a)The (1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), the person has obtained permission from local authorities approving the proposed commercial cannabis activity. This requirement shall not apply to a person who holds a valid business license, conditional use permit, or other locally issued permit for commercial cannabis activity. For the purposes of this subdivision, the document granting the permission shall be issued by the local authority and include, at a minimum, all of the following:
(1)
(A)The legal name, address address, and date of birth of the applicant.
(2)
(B)The type of license the applicant is requesting a permit for.
(3)
(C)Documentation that the applicant has been in compliance with local ordinances and regulations, including, but not limited to, an entity granted immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(4)
(D)A statement of whether or not the applicant has previously committed a felony, as described in paragraph (8) of subdivision (e) of Section 26047.
(5)
(E)A statement signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the application is true.
(2)Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a person who holds a valid business license, conditional use permit, or other locally issued permit for commercial cannabis activity. Those persons who are applying for licensure in a jurisdiction covered by Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election, in lieu of the requirement in paragraph (1), shall provide documentation that the applicant has been in compliance with the terms of granted immunity under that measure.
(b)The person submits a copy of the permission, or equivalent qualifying documents, to the division for recordation. Upon receipt of an approved permission, the division shall provide the applicant with a certificate of approval for licensure, to be presented to the relevant regulatory authority under which the person seeks licensure. No regulatory authority shall grant approval of an application without a certificate of approval for application of commercial cannabis licensure for the applicant.
(c)The person applies for licensure for commercial cannabis activity from a regulatory authority and receives approval for that licensure.
(d)The person abides by all local and state ordinances and regulations pursuant to this chapter.
26046.(a)An application for a license shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)A certificate of approval for licensure by the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement.
(2)The legal name and proposed physical addresses of the mandatory commercial licensee.
(3)The name, address, and date of birth of each principal officer and board member.
(4)Operating and inventory control procedures to ensure security and prevent diversion.
(5)Detailed operating procedures for the proposed facility, which shall include, but not be limited to, provisions for facility and operational security, prevention of diversion, employee screening, storage of medical cannabis, personnel policies, and recordkeeping procedures.
(6)A list of all persons or entities having an ownership interest other than a security interest, lien, or encumbrance on any property that will be used by the applicant.
(7)Evidence of the legal right to occupy and use an established location, including that if the proposed facility is a cultivator or a dispensary, that the proposed facility is located beyond at least a 600-foot radius from a school, or an immunity from prosecution for that occupancy or use pursuant to a local ordinance or ordinances, including, but not limited to, Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(8)Documentation that the applicant will be in compliance with all local ordinances and regulations, including, but not limited to, an entity granted immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(9)Evidence that all of the officers and owners of the applicant organization have been residents of the State of California for at least three years. the three years prior to the date of applying for licensure.
(10)(A)For an applicant with 20 employees or more, a statement that the applicant will enter into, or demonstrate that it has already entered into, and abide by the terms of, a labor peace agreement, as defined by the division in consultation with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. labor peace agreement.
(B)For the purposes of this paragraph, employee does not include any employee who is a supervisor, defined as any individual having authority, in the interest of the licensee, to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, or discipline other employees, or responsibility to direct them or to adjust their grievances, or effectively to recommend such action, if in connection with the foregoing the exercise of such authority is not of a merely routine or clerical nature, but requires the use of independent judgment.
(11)For an applicant seeking a license to cultivate, a statement declaring the applicant is an agricultural employer, as defined in the Alatorre-Zenovich-Dunlap-Berman Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975 (Part 3.5 (commencing with Section 1140) of Division 2 of the Labor Code), to the extent not prohibited by law.
(12)A statement signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the application is true.
(13)For an applicant seeking a cultivation or dispensary license, a notarized statement from the owner of real property or landlord where the cultivation or dispensing commercial cannabis activities will occur, as proof to demonstrate the landowner has acknowledged and consented to permit cultivation or dispensary activities to be conducted on the property by the tenant applicant.
(b)For applicants seeking a license to cultivate and manufacture, the application shall also include a detailed description of the operating procedures for all of the following:
(1)Cultivation.
(2)Extraction and infusion methods.
(3)The transportation process.
(4)Inventory procedures.
(5)Quality control procedures.
26047.(a)Upon receipt of an application for licensure and the applicable fee, the respective regulatory authority shall make a thorough investigation to determine whether the applicant and the premises for which a license is applied qualify for the license and whether this chapter has been complied with, and shall investigate all matters connected therewith that may affect the public welfare and morals.
(b)The respective regulatory authority shall deny an application if either the applicant or the premises for which a license is applied do not qualify for licensure under this chapter.
(c)The respective regulatory authority may place reasonable conditions upon licensure if grounds exist for denial of the license, and the division finds those grounds may be removed by the imposition of those conditions. However, the limitations set forth in paragraph (10) of subdivision (d) shall not be waived.
(d)The respective regulatory authority shall deny the application for licensure or renewal, or suspend or revoke a license, if any of the following conditions apply:
(1)Granting or continuation of a license would be contrary to the public welfare or morals.
(2)The applicant holding or seeking a license has violated any law prohibiting conduct involving moral turpitude.
(3)Local agencies have notified the division and provided evidence that a licensee or applicant within its jurisdiction is in violation of local ordinances relating to cannabis activities.
(4)The application has failed to state with sufficient specificity the jurisdiction in and location at which the applicant proposes to establish operations.
(5)The applicant fails to meet the requirements of this chapter or any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter, or any applicable city or county ordinance or regulation.
(6)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners, is under 21 years of age.
(7)The applicant fails to provide notarized written proof that the owner of real property or landlord has acknowledged and consented to its tenants proposed cultivation or dispensing of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products.
(7)
(8)The applicant has knowingly answered a question or request for information falsely on the application form or failed to provide information requested.
(8)
(9)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners has been convicted of a felony criminal conviction for drug trafficking, trafficking involving a minor, felonies subject to enhancements Section 13370.4 or 11379.8 of the Health and Safety Code, a violent felony, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code, a serious felony as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 1192.7 of the Penal Code, a felony offense involving fraud or deceit, or any other felony that, in the divisions determination, would impair the applicants ability to appropriately operate as a mandatory commercial licensee. The respective regulatory authority may, at its discretion, issue a license to an applicant that has obtained a certificate of rehabilitation pursuant to Section 4852.13 of the Penal Code.
(9)
(10)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners is a licensed physician making patient recommendations for medical cannabis.
(10)
(11)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners has been sanctioned by a regulatory authority, a city, or a county for unlicensed commercial medical cannabis activities or has had a license revoked under this chapter in the previous three years.
(12)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners, has been subject to fines or penalty for cultivation or production of a controlled substance on public or private lands pursuant to Section 12025 of the Fish and Game Code.
(13)The proposed commercial cannabis activity will violate any applicable local law or ordinance.
(14)The applicant has had 20 employees or more in the past year and failed to enter into a labor peace agreement.
(11)
(e)Applicants shall be notified of a denied application in writing via personal service or mail addressed to the address of the applicant or licensee set forth in the application. The denial letter shall contain the detailed reasons for which the application has been denied. The applicant shall have the right to appeal the denial and be given a hearing within 30 days of the appeal. On appeal, the decision shall be upheld unless the applicant demonstrates that the applicant is in fact eligible for licensure and the application is in compliance with this chapter.
26048.(a)The respective regulatory authority shall electronically submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information for all applicants for cultivation, dispensing, manufacturing, and transportation licenses for the purpose of obtaining information as to the existence and content of a record of state or federal convictions and arrests, and information regarding whether the person is free on bail, or on his or her own recognizance, pending trial or appeal.
(b)The Department of Justice shall provide a response to the division pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.
(c)The division shall request from the Department of Justice subsequent notification service, as provided pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code, for persons described in this section.
(d)The Department of Justice shall charge a fee sufficient to cover the reasonable cost of processing the requests described in this section.
26049.(a)The actions of a mandatory commercial licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents, permitted pursuant to a mandatory commercial license or provisional license issued by the division or otherwise permitted by this chapter, regulatory authority that are within the scope of the license issued pursuant to this chapter and the regulations adopted pursuant to the authority granted by this chapter, are not unlawful under state law law, and shall not be an offense subject to arrest, prosecution, or other sanction under state law, or be subject to a civil fine or be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under state law.
(b)The actions of a person who, in good faith and upon investigation, allows his or her property to be used by a mandatory commercial licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents, as permitted pursuant to a mandatory commercial license or provisional license issued by the division or otherwise permitted by this chapter, are not unlawful under state law and shall not be an offense subject to arrest, prosecution, or other sanction under state law, or be subject to a civil fine or be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under state law.
(c)Conduct that is within the scope of a license issued pursuant to this chapter and permitted by local ordinance but not fully in compliance with this chapter shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of this chapter and shall not be subject to the penal provisions of state law generally prohibiting cannabis-related activity, unless and until the license is revoked.
(d)This section shall not be deemed to limit the authority or remedies of a city or county under any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution or Section 26010 or 26060.
26050.(a)A licensee shall keep, at the licensed premises, accurate records of the specific commercial cannabis activity conducted by the licensee. The records shall include, at a minimum, all of the following for each batch of product:
(1)The name and address of the supplier.
(2)The dates on which the product was received.
(3)The amounts, form, and batch and lot number.
(4)The location of the cultivation site.
(5)The name of the employee who received the product.
(6)Records demonstrating compliance by the licensee with state and federal rules and regulations regarding reporting and taxation of income received.
(7)Receipts for all expenditures incurred by the registrant and banking records, if any, for all funds obtained or expended in the performance of any activity under the authority of the registration.
(b)The records shall be kept for a minimum of seven years.
(c)The division Regulatory authorities and any relevant local agency may make any examination of the books and records of any licensee and may visit and inspect the premises of any licensee that the division regulatory authority or local agency may deem necessary to perform its their duties under this chapter. chapter or local ordinance.
(d)If the licensee or any employee of the licensee refuses, impedes, obstructs, or interferes with an inspection pursuant to this chapter or local ordinance, or if the licensee fails to maintain or provide the books and records required by this section, the license may be summarily suspended and the division shall directly commence proceedings for the revocation of the license in accordance with this chapter.
(e)All cultivation, dispensing, and retail sales licensees shall be subject to an annual audit, as specified by the regulatory authority, in order to ensure proper documentation is kept at each site or facility. The reasonable costs of the audit shall be paid for by the licensee.
26052.(a)This chapter shall not apply to, and shall have no diminishing effect on, the rights and protections granted to a patient or a primary caregiver pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.
(b)(1)A patient who cultivates, possesses, stores, manufactures, or transports cannabis exclusively for his or her personal medical use but who does not sell or provide, donate, sell, or distribute cannabis to any other person is not, thereby, engaged in commercial cannabis activity and is, therefore, exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter.
(2)A primary caregiver who cultivates, possesses, stores, manufactures, transports, donates, or provides cannabis exclusively for the personal medical purposes of a no more than five specified qualified patient for whom he or she is the primary caregiver within the meaning of Section 11362.7 of the Health and Safety Code but who does not receive remuneration for these activities except for compensation in full compliance with subdivision (c) of Section 11362.765 of the Health and Safety Code is not, thereby, engaged in commercial cannabis activity and is, therefore, exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter.
(c)Exemption from the license requirements of this part shall not limit or prevent a city, county, or city and county from regulating or banning the cultivation, storage, manufacture, transport, provision, or other activity by the exempt person, or impair the enforcement of that regulation or ban.
26054.(a)Each regulatory authority shall, as soon as practicable following January 1, 2016, allow a qualified applicant for licensure to apply for and receive a provisional license to engage in commercial cannabis activity so as to ensure an adequate supply of medical cannabis upon full implementation of this chapter.
(b)Each regulatory authority shall establish appropriate fees not to exceed the reasonable regulatory costs to the regulatory authority for the issuance of a provisional license under its jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter.
(c)Each regulatory authority shall, if the applicant meets all the requirements in this section, issue a provisional license to individuals and entities that the regulatory authority determines were, during the 3 three months prior to January 1, 2016, regularly cultivating, processing, manufacturing, transporting, or distributing medical cannabis collectively or cooperatively in full compliance with any applicable local ordinance, to continue to do so until the licensees application for mandatory commercial licensure has been approved or denied under this chapter, but no later than 90 days after the regulatory authority begins accepting applications for regular mandatory commercial licenses. The regulatory authority may consult with relevant local agencies in making a determination on whether a provisional license applicant is in compliance with any applicable ordinance.
(d)To qualify for a provisional mandatory commercial license, applicants shall disclose to the appropriate regulatory authority all of the following information in writing:
(1)The names, addresses, and dates of birth of each principal officer, owner, or board member.
(2)The common street address and assessors parcel number of the property at which the licensee conducts any activity under the authority of the licensee.
(3)The common street address and assessors parcel number of the property at which any cultivation activity was or is to be conducted.
(4)For the 3 three months prior to January 1, 2016, the quantity of cannabis cultivated, processed, manufactured, tested, transported, or sold at a location and the quantity expected to be cultivated, processed, manufactured, tested, transported, or sold from January 1, 2016, to July 1, 2016, inclusive. The licensee shall make its records of current activity and activity for the 3 three months prior to January 1, 2016, available to the division upon request.
(5)For an applicant seeking a cultivation or dispensary license, a notarized statement from the owner of real property or landlord where the cultivation or dispensing commercial cannabis activities will occur, as proof to demonstrate the landowner has acknowledged and consented to permit cultivation or dispensary activities to be conducted on the property by the tenant applicant.
(e)Upon receipt of the application materials and fee, the division shall issue a provisional license and send a proof of issuance to the applicant that meets all the requirements of this section, if the applicant has not committed any act or crime constituting grounds for the denial of licensure.
(f)Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the division shall not issue a provisional license to an individual or entity, or for a premises, against whom there are pending state or local administrative or judicial proceedings or actions initiated by a city, county, or city and county under any applicable local ordinance or who has been determined through those proceedings to have violated any local ordinance related to cannabis activity, or that knowingly provides false or fraudulent information on an application for licensure.
(g)Entities that are provided immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election, shall be considered the equivalent of entities that are registered, permitted, or licensed as a medical marijuana business, dispensary, or other entity involved in providing medical marijuana to patients under a local ordinance and shall be considered in compliance with a local ordinance for the purposes of the implementation of this section.
(h)Provisional licensees shall comply with all standards and requirements applicable to a licensee under this chapter, including, but not limited to, the production, recordkeeping, security, and transportation requirements and standards.
(i)Beginning July 1, 2017, all commercial cannabis activity shall be conducted between licensees of commercial cannabis activity, pursuant to this chapter. If the regulatory authorities have not promulgated their respective regulations by that date, the regulatory authorities shall provide an extension for all provisional licenses for applicants abiding by the provisions of this chapter.
26055.The regulatory authority may adopt regulations to permit the transfer of a license from a licensee to another person who demonstrates to the regulatory authority that he or she is eligible for licensure under this chapter, if the prospective recipient of the license complies with all of the requirements of this chapter relating to a new application for licensure, including, but not limited to, payment to the regulatory authority of a reasonable license transfer fee.
26057.Each regulatory authority shall make recommendations to the Legislature pertaining to the establishment of an appeals and judicial review process for persons aggrieved by a final decision of the regulatory authority.
4.Enforcement26060.(a)Each regulatory authority shall work in conjunction with law enforcement agencies for the purposes of implementing, administering, and enforcing this chapter and any regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter and taking appropriate action against licensees and others who fail to comply with this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(b)Nothing in this chapter or in Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) or Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, shall prevent a city, county, or city and county from adopting or enforcing a zoning ordinance or other law, ordinance, or regulation that bans or regulates the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or other person that engages in commercial cannabis activity.
26062.Except for a person identified in Section 26052, a person shall not exercise the privilege or perform any act that a licensee may exercise or perform under the authority of a license unless the person is acting pursuant to a license, including, but not limited to, a provisional license issued pursuant to this chapter.
26064.Any person engaging in commercial cannabis activity and operating an unlicensed facility, building, structure, vehicle, mobile unit, or location in violation of this chapter shall be subject to civil penalties of up to twice the amount of the license fee for each violation, and the division or court may order the destruction of any cannabis associated with that violation. Each day of operation shall constitute a separate violation of this section. All civil fines imposed and collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the fines and penalties account established pursuant to Section 26028. If an action for civil penalties is brought by the Attorney General, the penalty collected shall be deposited into the General Fund pursuant to Section 26028. If the action is brought by a district attorney or county counsel, the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered. If the action is brought by a city attorney or city prosecutor, the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the city in which the judgment was entered.
26066.(a)Any regulatory director or any district attorney, county counsel, city attorney, or city prosecutor may bring an action in the name of the people of the State of California to enjoin a violation or the threatened violation of any provision of this chapter, including, but not limited to, a licensees failure to correct objectionable conditions following notice or as a result of any rule promulgated pursuant to this chapter, and to assess and recover civil penalties in accordance with this chapter. The action shall be brought in the county in which the violation occurred or is threatened to occur. Any proceeding for injunctive relief brought pursuant to this chapter shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(b)A state or local agency shall immediately notify the division and the appropriate regulatory authority of any violations or arrests made for violations over which the division or regulatory authority has jurisdiction which involve a licensee or licensed premises. Notice shall be given within 10 days of the violation or arrest. The division or regulatory authority shall promptly cause an investigation to be made as to whether grounds exist for suspension or revocation of the license.
(c)This chapter shall not be construed to limit a law enforcement agencys ability to investigate unlawful activity in relation to a mandatory commercial licensee.
(d)The division shall keep a complete record of all entities licensed pursuant to this chapter. This record shall be made available to state and local law enforcement to verify a mandatory commercial license.
(e)A city, county, or city and county may impose a temporary local suspension of the license of a commercial licensee for up to 30 days for violations of this chapter or a local ordinance. The regulatory authority shall promptly cause an investigation to be made as to whether grounds exist for continued suspension or revocation of the license. If the regulatory authority has not completed its investigation or disciplinary action within 30 days, a city, county, or city and county may impose a subsequent temporary local suspension of the license of a commercial licensee for the same violation until the regulatory authoritys investigation, the suspension or revocation, and all appeals to that suspension or revocation are complete. This subdivision shall not limit a citys, countys, or city and countys authority to enforce laws or ordinances pursuant to the authority granted by Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
5.Transportation of Medical Cannabis26100.A licensee authorized to transport transport, or transport and deliver, medical cannabis and medical cannabis products shall do so only as set forth in this chapter.
26102.(a)Prior to transporting or delivering medical cannabis or medical cannabis products, a licensee authorized to transport or deliver, medical cannabis or medical cannabis products shall do both of the following:
(1)Complete an electronic shipping manifest as prescribed by the division. All delivery shipping manifests shall not identify the qualified patient or primary caregiver by name or address.
(2)Securely transmit the manifest to the division and the licensee that will receive the medical cannabis product. product, as applicable.
(b)During transportation, transportation or delivery, the licensed transporter shall maintain a physical copy of the shipping manifest and make it available upon request to agents of the division, local law enforcement officers, or any other designated enforcement agency.
(c)The licensee receiving the shipment shall maintain each electronic shipping manifest and shall make it available upon request to agents of the division, local law enforcement officers, or any other designated enforcement agency.
(d)Upon receipt of the transported shipment, a licensed facility shall submit to the division a record verifying receipt of the shipment and the details of the shipment.
26104.(a)Transported and delivered medical cannabis or medical cannabis products shall be transported only in a storage compartment that is securely affixed to the interior of the transporting vehicle, and shall not be visible from outside the vehicle. This requirement shall only apply to licensees transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products with a total retail value of over five hundred dollars ($500). at least an amount equal to a statewide monetary threshold, which shall be adopted by regulation by the regulatory authorities after review by the task force and regulatory authorities.
(b)A vehicle transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products shall travel only directly between licensed facilities, unless otherwise authorized under its license.
(c)All transport or delivery vehicles shall be staffed with a minimum of two employees. At least one transport member shall remain with the vehicle at all times when the vehicle contains medical cannabis. This requirement shall only apply to licensees transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products with a total retail value of over five thousand dollars ($5,000). at least an amount equal to a statewide monetary threshold, which shall be adopted by regulation by the regulatory authorities after review by the task force and regulatory authorities.
(d)Each transport or delivery team member shall possess documentation of licensing and a government-issued identification card at all times when transporting or delivering medical cannabis and shall produce it upon the request of agents of any regulatory authority or any law enforcement officials.
26105.(a)The division shall develop a database containing the electronic shipping manifests, which shall include, but are not limited to, the following information:
(1)The quantity, or weight, and variety of products shipped.
(2)The estimated times of departure and arrival.
(3)The quantity or weight, and variety of products received.
(4)The actual time of arrival.
(5)A categorization of the product.
(b)The database shall be designed to flag irregularities for any regulatory authority to investigate. Any regulatory authority may, at any time, inspect shipments and request documentation for current inventory.
26106.(a)This chapter shall not be construed to authorize or permit any licensee to transport or deliver, or cause to be transported or delivered, cannabis or cannabis products outside the state, unless authorized by federal law.
(b)A local jurisdiction shall not prevent transportation of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products on public roads by a licensee transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products that acts in compliance with this chapter.
(c)A local jurisdiction shall not prevent delivery of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products on public roads by a licensee delivering medical cannabis or medical cannabis products that acts in compliance with this chapter and eligible local ordinances.
26107.(a)All mobile, vehicular, and Internet-based-delivery services are prohibited except as authorized by this chapter.
(b)Upon approval of the division, a licensee registered to provide delivery services, shall abide by the following conditions of the license:
(1)The city or county in which the licensed premises of the licensee are located, and in which each delivery is made must specifically permit delivery service by ordinance referring to this section.
(2)Transportation of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products for delivery under this section shall comply with subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 26102 and subdivisions (a), (c), and (d) of Section 26104.
(3)All employees delivering medical cannabis or medical cannabis products must carry a current license authorizing those services with them during deliveries, and must present them upon request to state and local law enforcement, employees of regulatory authorities, and other state and local agencies enforcing this chapter.
(c)Cities and counties shall have the authority to impose a tax, pursuant to Section 23028 of the Government Code, on each delivery transaction completed by an authorized licensee.
(d)Whenever a regulatory authority has knowledge that a licensed facility has transported or delivered, or arranged or facilitates the transport or delivery of, medical cannabis or medical cannabis products in violation of this chapter, the regulatory authority shall summarily suspend the license of that facility and shall without delay commence proceedings for the revocation of the license in accordance with this part.
6.Cannabis Employee Certification and Apprenticeship Program for Cultivation Sites and Dispensaries26140.This article applies only to cultivation sites and dispensaries.
26140.5.The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall do all of the following:
(a)Maintain minimum standards for the competency and training of employees of a licensed cultivator or dispensary through a system of testing and certification.
(b)Maintain an advisory committee and panels as necessary to carry out its functions under this article. There shall be employer representation on the committee and panels.
(c)Adopt regulations as determined to be necessary to implement this article.
(d)Issue certification cards to employees certified pursuant to this article.
(e)Establish registration fees in an amount reasonably necessary to implement this article, not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for the initial registration. There shall be no fee for annual renewal of registration. Fees shall be placed in the fund. Fees collected for cultivation sites and dispensaries shall be placed into the Medical Cannabis Cultivation Fee Account and the Medical Cannabis Retail Fee Account, respectively.
26141.(a)By January 1, 2017, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall develop a certification program for cannabis employees. Commencing January 1, 2019, except as provided in subdivision (c), certification shall be required of all persons who perform work as cannabis employees.
(b)Individuals desiring to be certified shall submit an application for certification and examination.
(c)(1)Certification is not required for registered apprentices working as cannabis employees as part of a state-approved apprenticeship program. An apprentice who is within one year of completion of his or her term of apprenticeship shall be permitted to take the certification examination and, upon passing the examination, shall be certified immediately upon completion of the term of apprenticeship.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2019, an uncertified person may perform work for which certification is otherwise required in order to acquire the necessary on-the-job experience for certification provided that the person shall be under the direct supervision of a cannabis employee certified pursuant to Section 26141 who is responsible for supervising no more than one uncertified person.
(3)The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement may develop additional criteria governing this subdivision.
26141.5.(a)The following shall constitute additional grounds for disciplinary proceedings, including suspension or revocation of the license issued pursuant to this chapter:
(1)The licensee willfully employs one or more uncertified persons to perform work as cannabis employees in violation of this section.
(2)The licensee willfully fails to provide adequate supervision of uncertified workers.
(3)The licensee willfully fails to provide adequate supervision of apprentices performing work pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 26141.
(b)The Labor Commissioner shall maintain a process for referring cases to the appropriate regulatory authority when it has been determined that a violation of this section has likely occurred. The Labor Commissioner shall have a memorandum of understanding with the regulatory authorities in furtherance of this section.
(c)Upon receipt of a referral by the Labor Commissioner alleging a violation under this section, the appropriate regulatory authority shall open an investigation. Disciplinary action against the licensee shall be initiated within 60 days of the receipt of the referral. The regulatory authority may initiate disciplinary action against a licensee upon his or her own investigation, the filing of a complaint, or a finding that results from a referral from the Labor Commissioner alleging a violation under this section. Failure of the employer or employee to provide evidence of certification or apprentice status shall create a rebuttable presumption of violation of this provision.
(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2019.
SEC. 6.Section 23028 is added to the Government Code, to read:23028.(a)(1)In addition to any authority otherwise provided by law, the board of supervisors of any county county, and the city council of any city, may impose, by ordinance, a tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, producing, processing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling, or distributing cannabis by a licensee operating pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code). The tax may be imposed for general governmental purposes or for purposes specified in the ordinance by the board of supervisors.
(2)The board of supervisors or city council shall specify in the ordinance proposing the tax the activities subject to the tax, the applicable rate or rates, the method of apportionment, and the manner of collection of the tax. A tax imposed pursuant to this section is a tax and not a fee or special assessment, and the tax is not required to be apportioned on the basis of benefit to any person or property or be applied uniformly to all taxpayers or all real property.
(3)A tax imposed by a county or city pursuant to this section by a county may include a transactions and use tax imposed solely for medical cannabis or medical cannabis products, which shall otherwise conform to Part 1.6 (commencing with Section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. Notwithstanding Section 7251.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, the tax may be imposed at any rate specified by the board of supervisors, supervisors or city council, and the tax rate authorized by this section shall not be considered for purposes of the combined tax rate limitation established by that section.
(4)The tax authorized by this section may be imposed upon any or all of the activities set forth in paragraph (1), regardless of whether the activity is undertaken individually, collectively, or cooperatively, and regardless of whether the activity is for compensation or gratuitously, as determined by the board of supervisors.
(5)The board of supervisors or city council shall specify whether the tax applies throughout the entire county or city, or within the unincorporated area of the city or county.
(b)In addition to any other method of collection authorized by law, the board of supervisors or city council may provide for the collection of the tax imposed pursuant to this section in the same manner, and subject to the same penalties and priority of lien, as other charges and taxes fixed and collected by the city or county.
(c)Any tax imposed pursuant to this section shall be subject to applicable voter approval requirements imposed by any other law.
(d)For purposes of this section, marijuana or cannabis shall have the meanings set forth in Section 26002 of the Business and Professions Code.
(e)This section is declaratory of existing law and does not limit or prohibit the levy or collection or any other fee, charge, or tax, or any license or service fee or charge upon, or related to, the activities set forth in subdivision (a) as otherwise provided by law. This section shall not be construed as a limitation upon the taxing authority of any county as provided by other law.
(f)The total taxation of state and local authorities shall not be in excess of 25 percent of retail prices.
SEC. 7.Section 11362.775 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:11362.775.(a)Subject to subdivision (b), qualified persons with valid identification cards, and the designated primary caregivers of qualified patients and persons with identification cards, who associate within the State of California in order to collectively or cooperatively to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, shall not solely on the basis of that fact be subject to state criminal sanctions under Section 11357, 11358, 11359, 11360, 11366, 11366.5, or 11570.
(b)Commencing 180 days following the issuance of provisional licenses pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code), subdivision (a) shall not apply to licensees under that act or to any persons who collectively or cooperative cooperatively cultivate marijuana for medical purposes. Each regulatory authority shall post a notice on its Internet Web site indicating when it has commenced issuing provisional licenses and when the 180-day period has been exhausted.
SEC. 8.Section 147.5 is added to the Labor Code, to read:147.5.(a)By January 1, 2017, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health shall convene an advisory committee to evaluate whether there is a need to develop industry-specific regulations related to the activities of facilities issued a license pursuant to Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code.
(b)By July 1, 2017, the advisory committee shall present to the board its findings and recommendations for consideration by the board. By July 1, 2017, the board shall render a decision regarding the adoption of industry-specific regulations pursuant to this section.
SEC. 9.Section 3094 is added to the Labor Code, to read:3094.The Division of Apprenticeship Standards shall investigate, approve, or reject applications for apprenticeship programs for employees of a licensee subject to Article 6 (commencing with Section 26140) of Chapter 18 of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code. The Division of Apprenticeship Standards shall adopt regulations necessary to implement and regulate the establishment of the apprenticeship programs described in this section.
SEC. 10.The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
SEC. 11.The Legislature finds and declares that Section 5 of this act, which adds Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) to Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:
It is necessary to maintain the confidentiality of patient and physician information provided to the regulatory authorities in order to protect the private medical information of patients who use medical cannabis and to preserve the essential confidentiality of the physician and patient relationship.
SEC. 12.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The people of California enacted the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 to ensure that seriously ill Californians have access to marijuana for medical purposes. The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 urged the state and federal governments to implement a plan to provide for the safe and affordable distribution of medical marijuana to all patients in medical need of the drug.
(b)Under federal law, marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug. Its placement in that schedule is based upon a finding that marijuana has no currently accepted medical use. That finding, if correct at the time it was made, is no longer accurate. California, exercising its traditional power to regulate the practice of medicine, has determined that marijuana has a significant role to play.
(c)California, acting alone, is powerless to change federal law and to correct this misunderstanding in federal law about the role that marijuana can and does play in the practice of medicine. However, federal enforcement authorities have recognized that in states that have authorized marijuana use and have enacted strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems to control the cultivation, distribution, sale, and possession of marijuana, conduct in compliance with those regulatory and enforcement systems is less likely to threaten federal priorities and, thus, less likely to require federal enforcement intervention (See: Memorandum For All United States AttorneysGuidance Regarding Marijuana Enforcement, by James M. Cole, Deputy Attorney General, August 29, 2013).
(d)The purpose of this act is to establish for California a robust medical cannabis regulatory and enforcement system to ensure that conduct in compliance with Californias medical marijuana laws does not threaten the federal priorities as set forth in the James M. Cole memorandum, and, therefore, does not require federal enforcement intervention.
SEC. 2.Section 2220.05 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2220.05.(a)In order to ensure that its resources are maximized for the protection of the public, the Medical Board of California shall prioritize its investigative and prosecutorial resources to ensure that physicians and surgeons representing the greatest threat of harm are identified and disciplined expeditiously. Cases involving any of the following allegations shall be handled on a priority basis, as follows, with the highest priority being given to cases in the first paragraph:
(1)Gross negligence, incompetence, or repeated negligent acts that involve death or serious bodily injury to one or more patients, such that the physician and surgeon represents a danger to the public.
(2)Drug or alcohol abuse by a physician and surgeon involving death or serious bodily injury to a patient.
(3)Repeated acts of clearly excessive prescribing, furnishing, or administering of controlled substances, or repeated acts of prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing of controlled substances, or recommending marijuana to patients for medical purposes, without a good faith prior examination of the patient and medical reason therefor. However, in no event shall a physician and surgeon prescribing, furnishing, or administering controlled substances for intractable pain consistent with lawful prescribing, including, but not limited to, Sections 725, 2241.5, and 2241.6 of this code and Sections 11159.2 and 124961 of the Health and Safety Code, be prosecuted for excessive prescribing and prompt review of the applicability of these provisions shall be made in any complaint that may implicate these provisions.
(4)Sexual misconduct with one or more patients during a course of treatment or an examination.
(5)Practicing medicine while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
(b)The board may by regulation prioritize cases involving an allegation of conduct that is not described in subdivision (a). Those cases prioritized by regulation shall not be assigned a priority equal to or higher than the priorities established in subdivision (a).
(c)The Medical Board of California shall indicate in its annual report mandated by Section 2312 the number of temporary restraining orders, interim suspension orders, and disciplinary actions that are taken in each priority category specified in subdivisions (a) and (b).
SEC. 3.Section 2242 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2242.(a)Prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing dangerous drugs as defined in Section 4022 without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication, constitutes unprofessional conduct. Prescribing or recommending marijuana to a patient for a medical purpose without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication constitutes unprofessional conduct.
(b)No licensee shall be found to have committed unprofessional conduct within the meaning of this section if, at the time the drugs were prescribed, dispensed, or furnished, any of the following applies:
(1)The licensee was a designated physician and surgeon or podiatrist serving in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be, and if the drugs were prescribed, dispensed, or furnished only as necessary to maintain the patient until the return of his or her practitioner, but in any case no longer than 72 hours.
(2)The licensee transmitted the order for the drugs to a registered nurse or to a licensed vocational nurse in an inpatient facility, and if both of the following conditions exist:
(A)The practitioner had consulted with the registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse who had reviewed the patients records.
(B)The practitioner was designated as the practitioner to serve in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be.
(3)The licensee was a designated practitioner serving in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be, and was in possession of or had utilized the patients records and ordered the renewal of a medically indicated prescription for an amount not exceeding the original prescription in strength or amount or for more than one refill.
(4)The licensee was acting in accordance with Section 120582 of the Health and Safety Code.
SEC. 4.Section 2264 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2264.The employing, directly or indirectly, the aiding, or the abetting of any unlicensed person or any suspended, revoked, or unlicensed practitioner to engage in the practice of medicine or any other mode of treating the sick or afflicted which requires a license to practice constitutes unprofessional conduct. Employment by, or other agreement with, a mandatory commercial licensee acting pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act or a dispensary to provide recommendations for medical marijuana constitutes unprofessional conduct.
SEC. 5.Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) is added to Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code, to read:18.Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control1.General Provisions26000.(a)This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act.
(b)It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to provide for the statewide regulation of the commercial cannabis activity and the enforcement of laws relating to commercial cannabis activities without preempting city or county ordinances regulating or banning these activities. This chapter is an exercise of the police powers of the state for the protection of the safety, welfare, health, peace, and morals of the people of the state.
26001.Without limiting the authority of a city or county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, or any other provision of law, and subject to that authority, the state shall have the exclusive primary right and power to regulate and license persons for the cultivation, manufacture, transportation, sale, and other related activities regarding medical cannabis within the state. In the exercise of these rights and powers, the state and each of its agencies are hereby deemed not to be engaged in activities requiring licensure under this chapter.
26002.For the purpose of this chapter:
(a)Regulatory authority means the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing within the State Department of Public Health, or the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation within the Department of Food and Agriculture, as appropriate to the context.
(b)Regulatory director means the Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Director of Consumer Affairs, the Director of the Department of Public Health, or the Director of the Department of Food and Agriculture.
(c)Division means the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, unless otherwise specified.
(d)Cannabis means all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa, sativa L., cannabis indica, or cannabis ruderalis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin, whether crude or purified, extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin. It does not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant which is incapable of germination. Cannabis also means marijuana as defined by Section 11018 of the Health and Safety Code as enacted by Chapter 1407 of the Statutes of 1972.
(e)Commercial cannabis activity means any cultivation, possession, manufacture, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, distribution, or sale of cannabis or cannabis product, except as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 26052.
(f)Medical cannabis product, medical marijuana product, or cannabis product means any product containing cannabis, including, but not limited to, concentrates and extractions intended to be sold for use by medical marijuana patients in California pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Proposition 215).
(g)Manufactured cannabis means raw marijuana that has undergone a process whereby the raw agricultural product has been transformed into a concentrate, an edible product, or a topical product.
(h)Cannabis concentrate means manufactured cannabis that has undergone a process to concentrate the tetrahydrocannabinol active ingredient, thereby increasing the products potency.
(i)Cannabinoid means a chemical compound that is unique to and derived from cannabis, also known as phytocannabinoid.
(j)Edible cannabis product means manufactured cannabis that is intended to be used, in whole or in part, for human consumption, including, but not limited to, chewing gum.
(k)Topical cannabis means manufactured product intended for external use.
(l)Identification program means the universal identification certificate program for licensees.
(m)Mandatory commercial license or license means a mandatory commercial license issued pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 26040).
(n)Licensee means any person licensed under this chapter to engage in commercial cannabis activity related to medical cannabis or medical cannabis products as set forth in this chapter.
(o)Dispensary means a retail location that distributes cannabis or medical cannabis products and is owned and operated by a licensee for these activities pursuant to this chapter.
(p)Testing and labeling means a labeling and quality assurance plan that addresses all of the following:
(1)Potency.
(2)Chemical residue.
(3)Microbiological contaminants.
(4)Handling, care, and storage.
(5)Date and location of cultivation, processing, and manufacturing.
(q)Fund means the Medical Cannabis Control Fund established pursuant to Section 26028.
(r)Person means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation, limited liability company, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, syndicate, or any other group or combination acting as a unit and includes the plural as well as the singular number.
(s)Cultivation site means a location that grows cannabis or medical cannabis products and is owned and operated by a licensee for these activities pursuant to this chapter, including a nursery.
(t)Nursery means a licensee that produces only clones, immature plants, seeds, and other agricultural products used specifically for the planting, propagation, and cultivation of medical cannabis.
(u)Cultivation means any activity involving the planting, growing, harvesting, drying, processing, or trimming of cannabis.
(v)Dispensing means any activity involving the retail sale of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products.
26010.This chapter does not, nor does Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) and Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, prevent a city or county from doing any of the following:
(a)Adopting local ordinances inconsistent with this chapter that do the following:
(1)Regulate the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or any person that cultivates, processes, possesses, stores, manufactures, tests, transports, distributes, or sells medical cannabis.
(2)Prohibit commercial cannabis activity within their jurisdiction.
(b)The administrative, civil, or criminal enforcement of the ordinances described in subdivision (a).
(c)Establishing a fee or tax for the operation of a licensee within its jurisdiction.
(d)Enacting and enforcing other laws or ordinances pursuant to the authority granted by Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
2.Administration26020.(a)The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement is hereby established within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement shall do all of the following:
(1)Be administered by a person who is appointed by the Director of the Department of Alcholic Alcoholic Beverage Control.
(2)Administer this chapter, as it pertains to commercial cannabis activity relating to dispensaries.
(3)Lead all state and local authorities regarding the tracking of medical cannabis, medical cannabis products, and licensees pursuant to this chapter.
(b)The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing is hereby established within the Department of Public Health. The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing shall do all the following:
(1)Be administered by a person who is appointed by the State Health Officer.
(2)Administer this chapter, as it pertains to manufacturing, testing, and certification of testing laboratories for medical cannabis. cannabis and medical cannabis products.
(c)The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation is hereby established within the Department of Food and Agriculture. The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall do all of the following:
(1)Be administered by a person who is appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Food and Agriculture.
(2)Administer this chapter as it pertains to cultivation of medical cannabis.
(d)The regulatory authorities shall issue licenses to applicants to engage in commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter. No person shall engage in commercial cannabis activity unless the person obtains permission pursuant to section 26045.
(e)The division shall maintain a registry of all permit holders and shall maintain a record of all licenses and commercial cannabis activity of the permit holder throughout the length of licensure and for a minimum of seven years following the expiration of each license. The division shall make limited licensee information available to a licensee so that it may verify whether it is engaging in commercial cannabis activities with a properly licensed entity.
(f)Each regulatory authority shall adopt regulations as needed to implement that licensing program as set forth in Article 3 (commencing with Section 26040) within one year following the establishment of provisional licenses, pursuant to Section 26054. The regulations shall not limit the authority of a city or a county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, Section 26010 or 26060, or any other law. The regulations shall, in addition, do all of the following:
(1)Establish a scale of application, licensing, and renewal fees, based upon the cost of enforcing this chapter, as follows:
(A)Each regulatory authority shall charge each applicant for licensure or renewal an application or renewal fee that shall be calculated to cover the costs of processing the application or renewal. This fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with approving the application or renewal related to the varying activities covered by the license, but shall not exceed ___dollars ($____) for an initial application, and ____dollars ($____) for a renewal application. the reasonable regulatory costs to the regulatory authority.
(B)Each regulatory authority shall charge each licensee a licensure fee upon the issuance of a license. The licensure fee shall be calculated to cover the costs of administering this chapter, other than the costs of processing applications. The licensure fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with administering the various regulatory requirements of this chapter as they relate to the nature and scope of the different licensure activities, but shall not be less than ____ dollars ($____), nor more than ____ dollars ($____). exceed the reasonable regulatory costs to the regulatory authority.
(C)The total fees assessed pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, provisional license fees set forth in Section 26054, shall be set at an amount that will fairly and proportionately generate sufficient total revenue to fully cover the total costs of administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, costs set forth in Section 26023.
(2)Establish procedures for approval or denial of applications for licensure for each and every aspect of commercial cannabis activity, including, but not limited to, cultivation, possession, manufacture, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, distribution, and sale of cannabis.
(3)Establish applicant qualifications.
(4)Establish licensee employee qualifications, including, but not limited to, training and screening requirements.
(5)Establish licensee security requirements, including, but not limited to, procedures to limit access to facilities and to prevent diversion of product to nonmedical use.
(6)Establish procedures and protocols for identifying, managing, and disposing of contaminated, adulterated, deteriorated, or excess product.
(7)Establish advertising, marketing, signage, and labeling requirements and restrictions.
(8)Establish procedures for the suspension, revocation, or surrender of a license and establishing related fines and penalties to be assessed against licensees for violations of this chapter.
(9)Establish procedures for the oversight of the fund established pursuant to Section 26028.
26021.The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall do all of the following:
(a)Adopt regulations, in consultation with the Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, to ensure that commercial cannabis activity licensed pursuant to this chapter does not threaten the states clean water and environment.
(b)Adopt regulations ensuring that the cultivation of cannabis under this chapter is in compliance with standards equivalent to the statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the production of a food crop, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Regulations regarding the verification of cannabis stock for the purposes of cultivation.
(2)Cultivation protocols ensuring the quality, availability, and safety of the cannabis crop, including both indoor and outdoor cultivation standards and regulations regarding carbon offsets for indoor cultivation.
(3)Environmentally sound agricultural practices, including all of the following:
(A)A requirement that any actual, or potential for, environmental damage be addressed by the relevant state agency, including, but not limited to, the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, California regional water quality control boards, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, or the Department of Justice.
(B)A provision authorizing revocation of a licensee if the state determines that the conduct of the licensee threatens to inflict or has inflicted significant damage to the environment.
(C)Standards controlling the application of pesticides. These standards shall, at a minimum, require that if pesticides are to be used, the use comply with standards equivalent to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) of the Food and Agricultural Code and its implementing regulations.
(c)Adopt regulations to establish cultivation labeling and packaging standards and requirements, including, but not limited to, cultivation labeling requirements requiring labeling to include, at a minimum, cannabinoid levels, cannabinoid profile, and active ingredients.
(d)In consultation with the State Department of Public Health, establish testing standards for medical cannabis.
(e)Ensure cultivation licenses have access to existing agricultural incentive and support programs.
(f)Establish weighing or measuring standards, including, but not limited to, the requirement that devices used in connection with the sale or distribution of cannabis meet standards equivalent to Division 5 (commencing with Section 12001).
(g)Establish standards controlling the application of pesticides. These standards shall, at a minimum, require that if pesticides are to be used, the use comply with standards equivalent to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) of the Food and Agricultural Code and its implementing regulations.
26021.5.(a)State agencies shall collaborate with local agencies, and local agencies, within the scope of their jurisdiction, and to the extent that resources are available, shall assist state agencies in the enforcement of this chapter. This section shall not limit any other state or local requirements.
(b)No cannabis shall be cultivated on public lands pursuant to this chapter.
26022.The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing, in consultation with the State Department of Public Health, Testing shall adopt regulations to do all of the following:
(a)Establish product labeling and packaging standards and requirements, including, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)All manufactured cannabis product labeling and packaging standards, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)A requirement that the label include the manufacturing date, the name of the mandatory commercial licensee from which it was obtained, the active ingredients, net weight, cannabinoid profile, nutritional facts, dosage in total milligrams of cannabinoids delivered, and any potential allergens. allergens, and the amount in milligrams of cannabinoids per serving, servings per package, and the amount in milligrams of cannabinoids in the total package.
(B)A requirement that the label include the warnings: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND ANIMALS, and FOR MEDICAL USE ONLY.
(C)A requirement that packaging contain a clear indication in bold font that the package contains medical cannabis, and that the package not be designed in a manner that attracts minors.
(D)Standards for labeling food that clearly distinguish edible cannabis products from non-cannabis products.
(E)The name of the mandatory commercial licensee that manufactured the product.
(b)Establish consumer protection, food and product safety requirements, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Adverse event reporting and product recall systems that include batch, lot, or control number tracking, the requirement that employees who manufacture or otherwise handle edible medical cannabis products thoroughly wash their hands before commencing production and before handling finished edible medical cannabis products.
(2)Standards for cannabinoid dosage the amount, in milligrams, of cannabinoids per serving in edible products.
(3)Sanitation standards equivalent to the California Retail Food Code (Part 7 (commencing with Section 113700) of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code) for food preparation, storage, handling, and sale of medical cannabis products. For purposes of this chapter, edible medical cannabis products are deemed to be unadulterated food products.
(4)A requirement that edible medical cannabis products be limited to foods that are not potentially hazardous food as set forth in Section 114365.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(5)A requirement that facilities in which edible medical cannabis products are prepared shall be constructed in accordance with building standards and health and safety standards applicable to a food production facility, including the requirement that edible products distributed or sold by dispensaries not be produced or stored in private homes.
(6)Weighing or measuring standards, including, but not limited to, the requirement that devices used in connection with the sale or distribution of cannabis meet standards equivalent to Division 5 (commencing with Section 12001) of the Business and Professions Code.
(7)
(5)Standards controlling the application of pesticides. These standards shall, at a minimum, require that if pesticides are to be used, the use comply with standards equivalent to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) of the Food and Agricultural Code and its implementing regulations.
(8)
(6)A requirement that all edible medical cannabis products shall be individually wrapped at the original point of preparation.
(c)Establish testing requirements for all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, including edible cannabis products and those used, or intended for use, via inhalation, including, but not limited to:
(1)Testing for the active cannabinoid-profile, constituent elements, and microbiological, bacterial, pathogenic yeast, and mold counts.
(2)Testing standards by which to test and measure the potency of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products. The division Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing shall also determine maximum standards in the potency of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.
(3)Testing standards by which to test and measure the quality of the medical cannabis and medical cannabis product.
(4)Protocols for medical cannabis and medical cannabis product safety testing.
(d)Establish procedures for certifying laboratories for the testing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, as defined in this chapter. Certification of testing laboratories shall be consistent with general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration activities, including sampling, using standard methods established by the International Organization for Standardization, including, but not limited to, ISO/IEC 17020 and 17025.
(e)Ensure licensed cannabis cultivation entities have access to existing agricultural incentive and support programs.
26022.5.The regulations shall not limit the authority of a city or a county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, Section 26010 or 26060, or any other law.
26023.The regulations shall set forth the inspection and enforcement responsibilities of the Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control, the State Department of Public Health, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, the State Department of Public Health, and the Department of Food and Agriculture associated with this chapter.
26023.5.(a)Without limiting the authority of a city or a county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution or any other law, the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement shall adopt regulations regarding the minimum standards for the operation of dispensaries. The regulations shall establish all of the following:
(1)A requirement that dispensaries provide patients with detailed written information about the contents of the cannabis and medical cannabis products they obtain.
(2)Requirements for inventory control and reporting that require all dispensaries to be able to demonstrate the present location, amounts, and descriptions of all medical cannabis products from the time of delivery to the dispensary until purchase by a qualified patient or primary caregiver.
(3)Minimum educational and testing requirements for licensee staff, including, but not limited to, background checks and a requirement that every dispensary maintain dedicated, licensed security staff both inside and outside the dispensary. as deemed appropriate by the division.
(4)Minimum standards governing signage and advertising for dispensaries.
(b)Commencing 180 days after the division begins issuing provisional licenses, a dispensary shall provide patients medical cannabis and medical cannabis products obtained only from persons licensed under this chapter.
(c)Out-of-state medical cannabis patients with current, valid verification that they are allowed to receive medical cannabis treatment within their home state may receive medical cannabis treatment, including the ability to purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries within this state upon verification of the documents by the dispensary, pursuant to protocols established by the division.
26024.The regulatory authorities may assist state taxation authorities in the development of uniform policies for the state taxation of mandatory commercial licensees.
26028.(a)The Medical Cannabis Control Fund is hereby established within the State Treasury. Notwithstanding Section 16305.7 of the Government Code, the fund shall include any interest and dividends earned on the moneys in the fund.
(b)All fees collected pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited into the fees account, which is hereby established within the fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys within the fees account are hereby continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal year, to the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement appropriate regulatory authority solely for the purposes of fully funding and administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, the costs incurred by the division regulatory authority for its administrative expenses and costs and the costs of all regulatory authorization regulation as set forth in Section 26023.
(c)All moneys collected pursuant to this chapter as a result of fines or penalties imposed under this chapter shall be deposited directly into the fines and penalties account, which is hereby established within the fund, and shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of funding the enforcement grant program pursuant to subdivision (d).
(d)The regulatory authorities shall collaboratively establish and administer a grant program to allocate moneys from the fines and penalties account to state and local entities for the purpose of assisting with medical cannabis regulation and the enforcement of this chapter and other state and local laws applicable to licensees. The costs of the grant program under this subdivision shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be paid for with moneys in the fines and penalties account.
(e)The Department of Transportation shall conduct research regarding determining whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of cannabis, and shall develop protocols setting forth best practices to assist law enforcement agencies. The costs of the Department of Transportation under this subdivision shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be paid for with moneys in the fines and penalties account.
(f)The total fees charged pursuant to this chapter shall be sufficient to pay the costs associated with the administrative and enforcement duties of the division and of the associated state agencies in administering this chapter.
(g)The regulatory authorities shall enter into an interagency agreement with the Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Department of Water Resources, the State Department of Public Health, and the Department of Food and Agriculture setting forth the duties of those agencies under this chapter and providing for reimbursement to the appropriate state and local authorities of associated costs from revenues deposited into the fees account of the fund.
26030.(a)The regulatory directors and the persons employed by the regulatory authorities for the administration and enforcement of this chapter are peace officers in the enforcement of the penal provisions of this chapter, the rules of the division adopted under this chapter, and any other penal provisions of law of this state prohibiting or regulating the cultivation, processing, storing, manufacturing, testing, transporting, or selling of medical cannabis, and these persons are authorized, while acting as peace officers, to enforce any penal provisions of state law while in the course of their employment.
(b)The regulatory directors, the persons employed by the regulatory authorities for the administration and enforcement of this chapter, peace officers listed in Section 830.1 of the Penal Code, and those officers listed in Section 830.6 of the Penal Code while acting in the course and scope of their employment as peace officers may, in enforcing this chapter, visit and inspect the premises of any licensee at any time during which the licensee is acting pursuant to the mandatory commercial license.
(c)Peace officers of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, members of the University of California and California State University police departments, and peace officers of the Department of Parks and Recreation, as defined in subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (f) of Section 830.2 of the Penal Code, may, in enforcing this chapter, visit and inspect the premises of any licensee at any time during which the licensee is acting pursuant to the license.
26034.(a)Information identifying the names of patients, their medical conditions, or the names of their primary caregivers received and contained in records kept by the regulatory authorities for the purposes of administering this chapter are confidential and shall not be disclosed pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code), except as necessary for authorized employees of the State of California or any city or county to perform official duties pursuant to this chapter, or a local ordinance adopted in accordance with Section 26010.
(b)Nothing in this section precludes the following:
(1)Employees of any of the regulatory authorities notifying state or local agencies about information submitted to the division regulatory authority that the employee suspects is falsified or fraudulent.
(2)Notifications from any of the regulatory authorities to state or local agencies about apparent violations of this chapter or any applicable local ordinance.
(3)Verification of requests by state or local agencies to confirm licenses and certificates issued by the regulatory authorities or other state agency.
(4)Provision of information requested pursuant to a court order or subpoena issued by a court or an administrative agency or local governing body authorized by law to issue subpoenas.
(c)Information shall not be disclosed by any state or local agency beyond what is necessary to achieve the goals of a specific investigation, a notification, or the parameters of a specific court order or subpoena.
26035.This chapter does not require an employer to permit or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transportation, sale, or growth of cannabis in the workplace or to affect the ability of employers to have policies restricting the use of cannabis by employees.
3.Mandatory Commercial License26040.(a)The regulatory authorities shall adopt regulations establishing a tiered licensing scheme to accommodate the different levels and types of activity to be licensed, as follows:
(1)The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall adopt regulations for a tiered licensing structure for the cultivation of medical cannabis.
(2)The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing shall adopt regulations, in consultation with the Department of Consumer Affairs, regulations for the tiered licensing structure of the following:
(A)Manufacturing of medical cannabis products.
(B)Testing of medical cannabis products.
(C)Certification of medical cannabis testing laboratories.
(3)The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement shall adopt regulations for the tiered licensing structure for all the following:
(A)Wholesale of medical cannabis products, which shall include large-scale storage and distribution, as defined by the regulatory authority.
(B)Dispensing of medical cannabis products.
(b)The regulations shall set forth the application and licensure process, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)A description of the various specific forms of commercial cannabis activity to be authorized by the various types of licenses.
(2)The establishment of license application, issuance, renewal, suspension, surrender, and revocation procedures for the various types of licenses to be issued.
(3)The procedures for the issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of mandatory commercial licenses.
(4)Time periods, not to exceed 90 days, by which the division shall approve or deny an application for mandatory commercial licensure. The failure of the division regulatory authority to act upon an application for licensure within the time prescribed shall not be deemed approval of the application.
(5)Qualifications for licensees.
(6)Security requirements, including, but not limited to, procedures for limiting access to facilities and for the screening of employees.
(c)Each mandatory commercial license application approved by the respective licensing authority pursuant to this chapter is separate and distinct.
(d)A mandatory commercial license application approved by the respective licensing authority pursuant to this chapter shall be valid for a period not to exceed one year from the date of approval unless revoked or suspended earlier than that date pursuant to this chapter or the rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter chapter.
(e)Each regulatory authority may adopt regulations for additional licenses for any cannabis activity within its statutory jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter, as deemed necessary.
(f)Each mandatory commercial license application approved by the respective regulatory authority shall be reported to the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within 24 hours of its approval.
26041.Regulations adopted by the regulatory authorities shall require, at a minimum, all of the following, as applicable:
(a)The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall adopt regulations on the for cultivation of medical cannabis shall that do all of the following:
(1)Require that the cultivation licensee comply with all regulations of the Department of Food and Agriculture pursuant to this chapter regarding the cultivation of medical cannabis.
(2)Require that the cultivation licensee comply with any other applicable requirement of the division pursuant to this chapter.
(3)Establish criteria for different tiers of cultivation licenses, including, but not limited to small, mid-sized, and large commercial cultivation licenses, based on the area, in square feet, in cannabis cultivation.
(4)Authorize commercial cultivation licensees to transport and deliver medical cannabis for commercial purposes to only another licensee of commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter. Cultivation licensees, without a separate dispensary license, who deliver directly to any entity not licensed pursuant to this chapter shall be fined and be under review for the revocation of licensure by the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation.
(5)Require licensees to track all cannabis products and report to the division, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(6)Require a cultivation licensee to obtain a sellers permit from the Board of Equalization to validate the authority of the licensee to sell commercial cannabis products to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity.
(7)Require a cultivation licensee to obtain a resale certificate upon the sale of cannabis to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity, to track the quantities exchanged.
(8)Require all medical cannabis to be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary. If the licensee has a separate dispensary license, all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products must be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to retail directly to consumers.
(9)Ensure licensed cannabis cultivation entities cultivation licensees have access to existing agricultural incentive and support programs.
(b)The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing shall adopt regulations on the for testing of medical cannabis shall that do all of the following:
(1)Prohibit a testing licensee from receiving medical cannabis products except through a regulatory authority or a medical cannabis licensee.
(2)Prohibit a testing licensee from being licensed for any other activity authorized under this article, and from holding an ownership interest in any real property, personal property, or other assets associated or used in any other license category.
(3)Require the licensee to follow any other applicable requirement of the division pursuant to this chapter.
(c)Regulations on the manufacturing of medical cannabis shall do all of the following:
(1)Require the manufacturing licensee comply with all regulations of the State Department of Public Health pursuant to this chapter regarding the cultivation manufacturing and testing of medical cannabis.
(2)Require the manufacturing licensee comply with any other applicable requirement of the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement pursuant to this chapter.
(3)Establish criteria for different tiers of manufacturing licenses, including, but not limited to small, mid-sized, and large commercial manufacturing licenses.
(4)Authorize commercial manufacturing licensees to transport and deliver medical cannabis for commercial purposes to only another licensee of commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter. Manufacturing licensees, without a separate dispensary license, who deliver directly to any entity not licensed pursuant to this chapter shall be fined and be under review for the revocation of licensure by the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing.
(5)Require licensees to track all cannabis products and report to the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(6)Require a manufacturing licensee to obtain a sellers permit from the Board of Equalization to validate the authority of the licensee to sell commercial manufactured cannabis products to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity.
(7)Require a manufacturing licensee to obtain a resale certificate upon the sale of manufactured medical cannabis products to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity, to track the quantities exchanged.
(8)Require all manufactured medical cannabis and medical cannabis products to be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary. If the licensee has a separate dispensary license, all manufactured cannabis and medical cannabis products shall be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to retail sale directly to consumers.
(d)Regulations The division shall adopt regulations for the dispensing of medical cannabis shall that do all of the following:
(1)Require the dispensary licensee comply with all regulations of the division pursuant to this chapter regarding the dispensing of medical cannabis
(2)Require the dispensary licensee comply with any other applicable requirements of the division pursuant to this chapter.
(3)Allow dispensary licensees to store limited quantities of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products for commercial purposes pursuant to this chapter, in a manner deemed safe and secure by the regulatory authority.
(4)Allow all non-mobile, non-vehicular, and non-Internet-based dispensaries to be licensed to transport medical cannabis and medical cannabis products directly to consumers.
(5)Require all mobile, vehicular and Internet-based dispensaries to maintain a business contract with a non-vehicular and non-mobile dispensary, and report all records of commercial activity to said entity.
(6)Require licensees to track all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products and report to the division, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(7)Require all dispensary licensees to obtain a sellers permit from the Board of Equalization to validate the authority of the licensee to sell medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, and to maintain receipts of all sales transactions.
(8)Require that, upon receipt of medical cannabis, manufactured medical cannabis, and medical cannabis products, the dispensary licensee shall request and record evidence that the product has been tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter.
(e)Regulations for the wholesale of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products shall do all of the following:
(1)Require all wholesale licensees to comply with all regulations of the division pursuant to this chapter regarding the wholesale storage and distribution of medical cannabis.
(2)Require the dispensary wholesale licensee comply with any other applicable requirements of the division pursuant to this chapter.
(3)Establish criteria for the qualifications of a wholesale licensee, including maximum quantities of medical cannabis that each licensee may store at one time.
(4)Authorize all wholesale licensees to do commercial business with only other licensees of commercial cannabis activity. All other licensees under this chapter shall not be required to work only with a wholesale licensee directly.
(5)Require that all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products be tested by the wholesale licensee prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary. a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary. If the licensee has a separate dispensary license, all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products must be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to retail directly to consumers.
(6)Require licensees to track all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products and report to the Division on Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(f)All regulations related to transportation of cannabis shall require a medical cannabis licensee to do all of the following:
(1)Maintain intrastate operating authority.
(2)Maintain interstate operating authority, for the commercial purposes of the licensee, and only to the extent permitted by federal law.
(3)Be allowed by local jurisdictions to transport medical cannabis, if the licensee is in compliance with this chapter.
26042.Each regulatory authority shall establish a scale of application, licensing, and renewal fees, based upon the cost of enforcing this chapter, as follows:
(a)Each regulatory authority shall charge each applicant for licensure or renewal an application or renewal fee that shall be calculated to cover the costs of processing the application or renewal. This fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with approving the application or renewal related to the varying activities covered by the license, but shall not exceed ____ dollars ($____) for an initial application, and ____dollars ($____) for a renewal application.
(b)Upon the issuance of a license, the respective regulatory authority shall charge each licensee a licensure fee. The licensure fee shall be calculated to cover the costs of administering this chapter, other than the costs of processing applications. The licensure fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with administering the various regulatory requirements of this chapter as they relate to the nature and scope of the different licensure activities, but shall not be less than ____ dollars ($____), nor more than ____ dollars ($____).
(c)Each regulatory authority shall establish appropriate fees as part of its emergency regulations for the issuance of provisional licenses adopted pursuant to Section 26043.
(d)The total fees assessed pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, provisional license fees set forth in Section 26054, shall be set at an amount that will fairly and proportionately generate sufficient total revenue to fully cover the total costs of administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, costs set forth in Section 26023.
26042.Each regulatory authority shall establish appropriate fees as part of its emergency regulations for the issuance of provisional licenses adopted pursuant to Section 26043.
26043.Each regulatory authority shall adopt, as soon as practicable, emergency regulations consistent with this chapter to allow a qualified applicant for licensure to apply for and receive a provisional license to engage in commercial cannabis activity so as to ensure an adequate supply of medical cannabis upon full implementation of this chapter as set forth in Section 26054.
26044.Every mandatory commercial license is renewable unless the license has been revoked if the renewal application is submitted and the fee for it is paid. A license that has been suspended, but not revoked, may be renewed under this section, however, the act of renewal shall not affect the suspension and the suspension shall remain in effect upon renewal. All licenses expire at 12 midnight on the last day of the month posted on the license. All licenses shall be renewed as follows:
(a)The application to renew the license may be filed before the license expires upon payment of the annual fee.
(b)For 60 days after the license expires, the license may be renewed upon payment of the annual renewal fee plus a penalty fee that shall be equal to 50 percent of the annual fee.
(c)Unless otherwise terminated, or unless renewed pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b), a license that is in effect on the month posted on the license continues in effect through 12 midnight of the 60th day following the month posted on the license, at which time it is automatically canceled.
(d)A license that has been canceled pursuant to subdivision (c) may be reinstated during the 30 days immediately following cancellation upon payment by cashiers check or money order of the annual renewal fee, plus a penalty fee that shall be equal to 100 percent of the annual fee. A license that has been canceled pursuant to subdivision (c) and that has not been reinstated within 30 days pursuant to this subdivision is automatically revoked on the 31st day after the license has been canceled.
(e)A renewal application shall not be deemed filed within the meaning of this section unless the document itself has been actually delivered to, and the required renewal fee has been paid at, any office of the division during office hours, or unless both the document and fee have been filed and remitted pursuant to Section 11003 of the Government Code.
26045.A person shall may engage in commercial cannabis activity only if the person has complied with all of the following conditions:
(a)The person has obtained permission from local authorities approving the proposed commercial cannabis activity. This requirement shall not apply to a person who holds a valid business license, conditional use permit, or other locally issued permit for commercial cannabis activity. For the purposes of this subdivision, the document granting the permission shall be issued by the local authority and include, at a minimum, all of the following:
(1)The legal name, address and date of birth of the applicant.
(2)The type of license the applicant is requesting a permit for.
(3)Documentation that the applicant has been in compliance with local ordinances and regulations, including, but not limited to, an entity granted immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(4)A statement of whether or not the applicant has previously committed a felony, as described in paragraph (8) of subdivision (e) of Section 26047.
(5)A statement signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the application is true.
(b)The person submits a copy of the permission, or equivalent qualifying documents, to the division for recordation. Upon receipt of an approved permission, the division shall provide the applicant with a certificate of approval for licensure, to be presented to the relevant regulatory authority under which the person seeks licensure. No regulatory authority shall grant approval of an application without a certificate of approval for application of commercial cannabis licensure for the applicant.
(c)The person applies for licensure for commercial cannabis activity from a regulatory authority and receives approval for that licensure.
(d)The person abides by all local and state ordinances and regulations pursuant to this chapter.
26046.(a)An application for a license shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)A certificate of approval for licensure by the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement.
(2)The legal name and proposed physical addresses of the mandatory commercial licensee.
(3)The name, address, and date of birth of each principal officer and board member.
(4)Operating and inventory control procedures to ensure security and prevent diversion.
(5)Detailed operating procedures for the proposed facility, which shall include, but not be limited to, provisions for facility and operational security, prevention of diversion, employee screening, storage of medical cannabis, personnel policies, and recordkeeping procedures.
(6)A list of all persons or entities having an ownership interest other than a security interest, lien, or encumbrance on any property that will be used by the applicant.
(7)Evidence of the legal right to occupy and use an established location, including that if the proposed facility is a cultivator or a dispensary, that the proposed facility is located beyond at least a 600-foot radius from a school, or an immunity from prosecution for that occupancy or use pursuant to a local ordinance or ordinances, including, but not limited to, Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(8)Documentation that the applicant will be in compliance with all local ordinances and regulations, including, but not limited to, an entity granted immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(9)Evidence that all of the officers and owners of the applicant organization have been residents of the State of California for at least three years.
(10)For an applicant with 20 employees or more, a statement that the applicant will enter into, or demonstrate that it has already entered into, and abide by the terms of, a labor peace agreement, as defined by the division in consultation with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
(11)For an applicant seeking a license to cultivate, a statement declaring the applicant is an agricultural employer, as defined in the Alatorre-Zenovich-Dunlap-Berman Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975 (Part 3.5 (commencing with Section 1140) of Division 2 of the Labor Code), to the extent not prohibited by law.
(12)A statement signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the application is true.
(b)For applicants seeking a license to cultivate and process, manufacture, the application shall also include a detailed description of the operating procedures for all of the following:
(1)Cultivation.
(2)Extraction and infusion methods.
(3)The transportation process.
(4)Inventory procedures.
(5)Quality control procedures.
26047.(a)Upon receipt of an application for licensure and the applicable fee, the respective regulatory authority shall make a thorough investigation to determine whether the applicant and the premises for which a license is applied qualify for the license and whether this chapter has been complied with, and shall investigate all matters connected therewith that may affect the public welfare and morals.
(b)The respective regulatory authority shall deny an application if either the applicant or the premises for which a license is applied do not qualify for licensure under this chapter.
(c)The respective regulatory authority may, at its discretion, issue a license to an applicant who has obtained a certificate of rehabilitation pursuant to Section 4852.13 of the Penal Code.
(d)
(c)The respective regulatory authority may place reasonable conditions upon licensure if grounds exist for denial of the license, and the division finds those grounds may be removed by the imposition of those conditions. However, the limitations set forth in paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 26040 (10) of subdivision (d) shall not be waived.
(e)
(d)The respective regulatory authority shall deny the application for licensure or renewal renewal, or suspend or revoke a license, if any of the following conditions apply:
(1)Granting or continuation of a license would be contrary to the public welfare or morals.
(2)The applicant holding or seeking a license has violated any law prohibiting conduct involving moral turpitude.
(3)Local agencies have notified the division and provided evidence that a licensee or applicant within its jurisdiction is in violation of local ordinances relating to cannabis activities.
(4)The application has failed to state with sufficient specificity the jurisdiction in which the applicant proposes to establish operations.
(5)The applicant fails to meet the requirements of this chapter or any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter, or any applicable city or county ordinance or regulation.
(6)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners, is under 21 years of age.
(7)The applicant has knowingly answered a question or request for information falsely on the application form or failed to provide information requested.
(8)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners has been convicted of a felony criminal conviction for drug trafficking, a violent felony, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code, a serious felony as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 1192.7 of the Penal Code, a felony offense involving fraud or deceit, or any other felony that, in the divisions determination, would impair the applicants ability to appropriately operate as a mandatory commercial licensee. The respective regulatory authority may, at its discretion, issue a license to an applicant that has obtained a certificate of rehabilitation pursuant to Section 4852.13 of the Penal Code.
(9)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners is a licensed physician making patient recommendations for medical cannabis.
(10)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners has been sanctioned by the division, a regulatory authority, a city, or a county for unlicensed commercial medical cannabis activities or has had a license revoked under this chapter in the previous three years.
(11)Applicants shall be notified of a denied application in writing via personal service or mail addressed to the address of the applicant or licensee set forth in the application. The denial letter shall contain the detailed reasons for which the application has been denied. The applicant shall have the right to appeal the denial and be given a hearing within 30 days of the appeal. On appeal, the decision shall be upheld unless the applicant demonstrates that the applicant is in fact eligible for licensure and the application is in compliance with this chapter.
26048.(a)The respective regulatory authority shall electronically submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information for all applicants for cultivation, dispensing, manufacturing, and transportation licenses for the purpose of obtaining information as to the existence and content of a record of state or federal convictions and arrests, and information regarding whether the person is free on bail, or on his or her own recognizance, pending trial or appeal.
(b)The Department of Justice shall provide a response to the division pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.
(c)The division shall request from the Department of Justice subsequent notification service, as provided pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code, for persons described in this section.
(d)The Department of Justice shall charge a fee sufficient to cover the reasonable cost of processing the requests described in this section.
26049.(a)The actions of a mandatory commercial licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents, permitted pursuant to a mandatory commercial license or provisional license issued by the division or otherwise permitted by this chapter, that are within the scope of the license issued pursuant to this chapter and the regulations adopted pursuant to the authority granted by this chapter, are not unlawful under state law and shall not be an offense subject to arrest, prosecution, or other sanction under state law, or be subject to a civil fine or be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under law.
(b)The actions of a person who, in good faith and upon investigation, allows his or her property to be used by a mandatory commercial licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents, as permitted pursuant to a mandatory commercial license or provisional license issued by the division or otherwise permitted by this chapter, are not unlawful under state law and shall not be an offense subject to arrest, prosecution, or other sanction under state law, or be subject to a civil fine or be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under state law.
(c)Conduct that is within the scope of a license issued pursuant to this chapter but not fully in compliance with this chapter shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of this chapter and shall not be subject to the penal provisions generally prohibiting cannabis-related activity, unless and until the license is revoked.
(d)This section shall not be deemed to limit the authority or remedies of a city or county under any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution or Section 26010 or 26060.
26050.(a)A licensee shall keep, at the licensed premises, accurate records of the specific commercial cannabis activity conducted by the licensee. The records shall include, at a minimum, all of the following for each batch of product:
(1)The name and address of the supplier.
(2)The dates on which the product was received.
(3)The amounts, form, and batch and lot number.
(4)The location of the cultivation site.
(5)The name of the employee who received the product.
(6)Records demonstrating compliance by the licensee with state and federal rules and regulations regarding reporting and taxation of income received.
(b)The records shall be kept for a minimum of seven years.
(c)The division may make any examination of the books and records of any licensee and may visit and inspect the premises of any licensee that the division may deem necessary to perform its duties under this chapter.
(d)If the licensee or any employee of the licensee refuses, impedes, obstructs, or interferes with an inspection pursuant to this chapter or local ordinance, or if the licensee fails to maintain or provide the books and records required by this section, the license may be summarily suspended and the division shall directly commence proceedings for the revocation of the license in accordance with this chapter.
(e)All cultivation, dispensing, and retail sales licensees shall be subject to an annual audit by the State Auditor audit, as specified by the regulatory authority, in order to ensure proper documentation is kept at each site or facility. The reasonable costs of the audit shall be paid for by the licensee.
26052.(a)This chapter shall not apply to, and shall have no diminishing effect on, the rights and protections granted to a patient or a primary caregiver pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.
(b)(1)A patient who cultivates, possesses, stores, manufactures, or transports cannabis exclusively for his or her personal medical use but who does not sell or distribute cannabis to any other person is not, thereby, engaged in commercial cannabis activity and is, therefore, exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter.
(2)A primary caregiver who cultivates, possesses, stores, manufactures, transports, donates, or provides cannabis exclusively for the personal medical purposes of a specified qualified patient for whom he or she is the primary caregiver within the meaning of Section 11362.7 of the Health and Safety Code but who does not receive remuneration for these activities except for compensation in full compliance with subdivision (c) of Section 11362.765 of the Health and Safety Code is not, thereby, engaged in commercial cannabis activity and is, therefore, exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter.
26054.(a)Each regulatory authority shall, as soon as practicable following January 1, 2016, allow a qualified applicant for licensure to apply for and receive a provisional license to engage in commercial cannabis activity so as to ensure an adequate supply of medical cannabis upon full implementation of this chapter.
(b)Each regulatory authority shall establish appropriate fees not to exceed ____ dollars ($____) the reasonable regulatory costs to the regulatory authority for the issuance of a provisional license under its jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter.
(c)Each regulatory authority shall shall, if the applicant meets all the requirements in this section, issue a provisional license to individuals and entities that the regulatory authority determines were, during the 3 months prior to January 1, 2016, regularly cultivating, processing, manufacturing, transporting, or distributing medical cannabis collectively or cooperatively in full compliance with any applicable local ordinance, to continue to do so until the licensees application for mandatory commercial licensure has been approved or denied under this chapter, but no later than 90 days after the regulatory authority begins accepting applications for regular mandatory commercial licenses. The regulatory authority may consult with relevant local agencies in making a determination on whether a provisional license applicant is in compliance with any applicable ordinance.
(d)To qualify for a provisional mandatory commercial license, applicants shall disclose to the appropriate regulatory authority all of the following information in writing:
(1)The names, addresses, and dates of birth of each principal officer, owner, or board member.
(2)The common street address and assessors parcel number of the property at which the licensee conducts any activity under the authority of the licensee.
(3)The common street address and assessors parcel number of the property at which any cultivation activity was or is to be conducted.
(4)For the 3 months prior to January 1, 2016, the quantity of cannabis cultivated, processed, manufactured, tested, transported, or sold at a location and the quantity expected to be cultivated, processed, manufactured, tested, transported, or sold from January 1, 2016, to July 1, 2016, inclusive. The licensee shall make its records of current activity and activity for the 3 months prior to January 1, 2016, available to the division upon request.
(e)Upon receipt of the application materials and fee, the division may shall issue a provisional license and send a proof of issuance to the applicant, applicant that meets all the requirements of this section, if the applicant has not committed any act or crime constituting grounds for the denial of licensure.
(f)Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the division shall not issue a provisional license to an individual or entity, or for a premises, against whom there are pending state or local administrative or judicial proceedings or actions initiated by a city, county, or city and county under any applicable local ordinance or who has been determined through those proceedings to have violated any local ordinance related to cannabis activity, or that knowingly provides false or fraudulent information on an application for licensure.
(g)Entities that are provided immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election, shall be considered the equivalent of entities that are registered, permitted, or licensed as a medical marijuana business, dispensary, or other entity involved in providing medical marijuana to patients under a local ordinance and shall be considered in compliance with a local ordinance for the purposes of the implementation of this section.
(h)Provisional licensees shall comply with all standards and requirements applicable to a licensee under this chapter, including, but not limited to, the production, recordkeeping, security, and transportation requirements and standards.
(i)Beginning July 1, 2017, all commercial cannabis activity shall be conducted between licensees of commercial cannabis activity, pursuant to this chapter. If the regulatory authorities have not promulgated their respective regulations by that date, the regulatory authorities shall provide an extension for all provisional licenses for applicants abiding by the provisions of this chapter.
26055.The regulatory authority may adopt regulations to permit the transfer of a license from a licensee to another person who demonstrates to the regulatory authority that he or she is eligible for licensure under this chapter, if the
prospective recipient of the license complies with all of the requirements of this chapter relating to a new application for licensure, including, but not limited to, payment to the regulatory authority of a reasonable license transfer fee.
26057.Each regulatory authority shall make recommendations to the Legislature pertaining to the establishment of an appeals and judicial review process for persons aggrieved by a final decision of the regulatory authority.
4.Enforcement26060.(a)Each regulatory authority shall work in conjunction with law enforcement agencies for the purposes of implementing, administering, and enforcing this chapter and the divisions any regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter and taking appropriate action against licensees and others who fail to comply with this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(b)Nothing in this chapter or in Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) or Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, shall prevent a city, county, or city and county from adopting or enforcing a zoning ordinance or other law, ordinance, or regulation that regulates the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or other person that engages in commercial cannabis activity.
26062.Except for a person identified in Section 26052, a person shall not exercise the privilege or perform any act that a licensee may exercise or perform under the authority of a license unless the person is acting pursuant to a license, including, but not limited to, a provisional license issued pursuant to this chapter.
26064.Any person engaging in commercial cannabis activity and operating an unlicensed facility, building, structure, vehicle, mobile unit, or location in violation of this chapter shall be subject to civil penalties of up to ____ dollars ($____) twice the amount of the license fee for each violation, and the division or court may order the destruction of any cannabis associated with that violation. All civil fines collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the fines and penalties account established pursuant to Section 26028. If an action for civil penalties is brought by the Attorney General, the penalty collected shall be deposited into the General Fund pursuant to Section 26028. If the action is brought by a district attorney or county counsel, the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered. If the action is brought by a city attorney or city prosecutor, the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the city in which the judgment was entered.
26066.(a)Any regulatory director or any district attorney, county counsel, city attorney, or city prosecutor may bring an action in the name of the people of the State of California to enjoin a violation or the threatened violation of any provision of this chapter, including, but not limited to, a licensees failure to correct objectionable conditions following notice or as a result of any rule promulgated pursuant to this chapter, and to assess and recover civil penalties in accordance with this chapter. The action shall be brought in the county in which the violation occurred or is threatened to occur. Any proceeding for injunctive relief brought pursuant to this chapter shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(b)A state or local agency shall immediately notify the division and the appropriate regulatory authority of any violations or arrests made for violations over which the division or regulatory authority has jurisdiction which involve a licensee or licensed premises. Notice shall be given within 10 days of the violation or arrest. The division or regulatory authority shall promptly cause an investigation to be made as to whether grounds exist for suspension or revocation of the license.
(c)This chapter shall not be construed to limit a law enforcement agencys ability to investigate unlawful activity in relation to a mandatory commercial licensee.
(d)The division shall keep a complete record of all entities licensed pursuant to this chapter. This record shall be made available on the divisions Internet Web site so as to permit to state and local law enforcement to verify a mandatory commercial license.
(e)A city, county, or city and county may impose a temporary local suspension of the license of a commercial licensee for up to 30 days for violations of this chapter. chapter or a local ordinance. The regulatory authority shall promptly cause an investigation to be made as to whether grounds exist for continued suspension or revocation of the license. A If the regulatory authority has not completed its investigation or disciplinary action within 30 days, a city, county, or city and county may impose a subsequent temporary local suspension of the license of a commercial licensee for the same violation until the regulatory authoritys investigation and all appeals are complete. investigation, the suspension or revocation, and all appeals to that suspension or revocation are complete. This subdivision shall not limit a citys, countys, or city and countys authority to enforce laws or ordinances pursuant to the authority granted by Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
5.Transportation of Medical Cannabis26100.A licensee authorized to transport medical cannabis and medical cannabis products shall do so only as set forth in this chapter.
26102.(a)Prior to transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products, a licensee authorized to transport medical cannabis or medical cannabis products shall do both of the following:
(1)Complete an electronic shipping manifest as prescribed by the division.
(2)Securely transmit the manifest to the division and the licensee that will receive the medical cannabis product.
(b)During transportation, the licensed transporter shall maintain a physical copy of the shipping manifest and make it available upon request to agents of the division, local law enforcement officers, or any other designated enforcement agency.
(c)The licensee receiving the shipment shall maintain each electronic shipping manifest and shall make it available upon request to agents of the division, local law enforcement officers, or any other designated enforcement agency.
(d)Upon receipt of the shipment, a licensed facility shall submit to the division a record verifying receipt of the shipment and the details of the shipment.
26104.(a)Transported medical cannabis or medical cannabis products shall be transported only in a storage compartment that is securely affixed to the interior of the transporting vehicle, and shall not be visible from outside the vehicle. This requirement shall only apply to licensees transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products with a total retail value of over five hundred dollars ($500).
(b)A vehicle transporting medical cannabis products shall travel only directly between licensed facilities. facilities, unless otherwise authorized under its license.
(c)All transport vehicles shall be staffed with a minimum of two employees. At least one transport member shall remain with the vehicle at all times when the vehicle contains medical cannabis. This requirement shall only apply to licensees transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products with a total retail value of over five thousand dollars ($5,000).
(d)Each transport team member shall possess documentation of licensing and a government-issued identification card at all times when transporting or delivering medical cannabis and shall produce it upon the request of agents of any regulatory authority or any law enforcement officials.
26105.(a)The division shall develop a database containing the electronic shipping manifests, which shall include, but are not limited to, the following information:
(1)The quantity, or weight, and variety of products shipped.
(2)The estimated times of departure and arrival.
(3)The quantity or weight, and variety of products received.
(4)The actual time of arrival.
(5)A categorization of the product.
(b)The database shall be designed to flag irregularities for any regulatory authority to investigate. Any regulatory authority may, at any time, inspect shipments and request documentation for current inventory.
6.Cannabis Employee Certification and Apprenticeship Program for Cultivation Sites and Dispensaries26140.This article applies only to cultivation sites and dispensaries.
26140.5.The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall do all of the following:
(a)Maintain minimum standards for the competency and training of employees of a licensed cultivator or dispensary through a system of testing and certification.
(b)Maintain an advisory committee and panels as necessary to carry out its functions under this article. There shall be employer representation on the committee and panels.
(c)Adopt regulations as determined to be necessary to implement this article.
(d)Issue certification cards to employees certified pursuant to this article.
(e)Establish registration fees in an amount reasonably necessary to implement this article, not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for the initial registration. There shall be no fee for annual renewal of registration. Fees shall be placed in the fund.
26141.(a)By January 1, 2017, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall develop a certification program for cannabis employees. Commencing January 1, 2019, except as provided in subdivision (c), certification shall be required of all persons who perform work as cannabis employees.
(b)Individuals desiring to be certified shall submit an application for certification and examination.
(c)(1)Certification is not required for registered apprentices working as cannabis employees as part of a state-approved apprenticeship program. An apprentice who is within one year of completion of his or her term of apprenticeship shall be permitted to take the certification examination and, upon passing the examination, shall be certified immediately upon completion of the term of apprenticeship.
(2)Commencing January 1, 2019, an uncertified person may perform work for which certification is otherwise required in order to acquire the necessary on-the-job experience for certification provided that the person shall be under the direct supervision of a cannabis employee certified pursuant to Section 26141 who is responsible for supervising no more than one uncertified person.
(3)The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement may develop additional criteria governing this subdivision.
26141.5.(a)The following shall constitute additional grounds for disciplinary proceedings, including suspension or revocation of the license issued pursuant to this chapter:
(1)The licensee willfully employs one or more uncertified persons to perform work as cannabis employees in violation of this section.
(2)The licensee willfully fails to provide adequate supervision of uncertified workers.
(3)The licensee willfully fails to provide adequate supervision of apprentices performing work pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 26141.
(b)The Labor Commissioner shall maintain a process for referring cases to the appropriate regulatory authority when it has been determined that a violation of this section has likely occurred. The Labor Commissioner shall have a memorandum of understanding with the regulatory authorities in furtherance of this section.
(c)Upon receipt of a referral by the Labor Commissioner alleging a violation under this section, the appropriate regulatory authority shall open an investigation. Disciplinary action against the licensee shall be initiated within 60 days of the receipt of the referral. The regulatory authority may initiate disciplinary action against a licensee upon his or her own investigation, the filing of a complaint, or a finding that results from a referral from the Labor Commissioner alleging a violation under this section. Failure of the employer or employee to provide evidence of certification or apprentice status shall create a rebuttable presumption of violation of this provision.
(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2019.
SEC. 6.Section 23028 is added to the Government Code, to read:23028.(a)(1)In addition to any authority otherwise provided by law, the board of supervisors of any county may impose, by ordinance, a tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, producing, processing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling, or distributing cannabis by a licensee operating pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code). The tax may be imposed for general governmental purposes or for purposes specified in the ordinance by the board of supervisors.
(2)The board of supervisors shall specify in the ordinance proposing the tax the activities subject to the tax, the applicable rate or rates, the method of apportionment, and the manner of collection of the tax. A tax imposed pursuant to this section is a tax and not a fee or special assessment, and the tax is not required to be apportioned on the basis of benefit to any person or property or be applied uniformly to all taxpayers or all real property.
(3)A tax imposed by a county pursuant to this section by a county may include a transactions and use tax imposed solely for cannabis or cannabis products, which shall otherwise conform to Part 1.6 (commencing with Section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. Notwithstanding Section 7251.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, the tax may be imposed at any rate specified by the board of supervisors, and the tax rate authorized by this section shall not be considered for purposes of the combined tax rate limitation established by that section.
(4)The tax authorized by this section may be imposed upon any or all of the activities set forth in paragraph (1), regardless of whether the activity is undertaken individually, collectively, or cooperatively, and regardless of whether the activity is for compensation or gratuitously, as determined by the board of supervisors.
(5)The board of supervisors shall specify whether the tax applies throughout the entire county or within the unincorporated area of the county.
(b)In addition to any other method of collection authorized by law, the board of supervisors may provide for the collection of the tax imposed pursuant to this section in the same manner, and subject to the same penalties and priority of lien, as other charges and taxes fixed and collected by the county.
(c)Any tax imposed pursuant to this section shall be subject to applicable voter approval requirements imposed by any other law.
(d)For purposes of this section, marijuana or cannabis shall have the meanings set forth in Section 26002 of the Business and Professions Code.
(e)This section does not limit or prohibit the levy or collection or any other fee, charge, or tax, or any license or service fee or charge upon, or related to, the activities set forth in subdivision (a) as otherwise provided by law. This section shall not be construed as a limitation upon the taxing authority of any county as provided by other law.
(f)The total taxation of state and local authorities shall not be in excess of 25 percent of retail prices.
SEC. 7.Section 11362.775 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:11362.775.(a)Qualified patients, Subject to subdivision (b), qualified persons with valid identification cards, and the designated primary caregivers of qualified patients and persons with identification cards, who associate within the State of California in order collectively or cooperatively to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, shall not solely on the basis of that fact be subject to state criminal sanctions under Section 11357, 11358, 11359, 11360, 11366, 11366.5, or 11570.
(b)Commencing 180 days following the issuance of provisional licenses pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code), subdivision (a) shall not apply to licensees under that act. act or to any persons who collectively or cooperative cultivate marijuana for medical purposes. Each regulatory authority shall post a notice on its Internet Web site indicating when it has commenced issuing provisional licenses and when the 180-day period has been exhausted.
SEC. 8.Section 147.5 is added to the Labor Code, to read:147.5.(a)By January 1, 2017, the division Division of Occupational Safety and Health shall convene an advisory committee to evaluate whether there is a need to develop industry-specific regulations related to the activities of facilities issued a license pursuant to Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code.
(b)By July 1, 2017, the advisory committee shall present to the board its findings and recommendations for consideration by the board. By July 1, 2017, the board shall render a decision regarding the adoption of industry-specific regulations pursuant to this section.
SEC. 9.Section 3094 is added to the Labor Code, to read:3094.The Division of Apprenticeship Standards shall investigate, approve, or reject applications for apprenticeship programs for employees of a licensee subject to Article 6 (commencing with Section 26140) of Chapter 18 of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code. The Division of Apprenticeship Standards shall adopt regulations necessary to implement and regulate the establishment of the apprenticeship programs described in this section.
SEC. 10.The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
SEC. 11.The Legislature finds and declares that Section 5 of this act, which adds Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) to Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:
It is necessary to maintain the confidentiality of patient and physician information provided to the regulatory authorities in order to protect the private medical information of patients who use medical cannabis and to preserve the essential confidentiality of the physician and patient relationship.
SEC. 12.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The people of California enacted the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 to ensure that seriously ill Californians have access to marijuana for medical purposes. The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 urged the state and federal governments to implement a plan to provide for the safe and affordable distribution of medical marijuana to all patients in medical need of the drug.
(b)Under federal law, marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug. Its placement in that schedule is based upon a finding that marijuana has no currently accepted medical use. That finding, if correct at the time it was made, is no longer accurate. California, exercising its traditional power to regulate the practice of medicine, has determined that marijuana has a significant role to play.
(c)California, acting alone, is powerless to change federal law and to correct this misunderstanding in federal law about the role that marijuana can and does play in the practice of medicine. However, federal enforcement authorities have recognized that in states that have authorized marijuana use and have enacted strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems to control the cultivation, distribution, sale, and possession of marijuana, conduct in compliance with those regulatory and enforcement systems is less likely to threaten federal priorities and, thus, less likely to require federal enforcement intervention (See: Memorandum For All United States AttorneysGuidance Regarding Marijuana Enforcement, by James M. Cole, Deputy Attorney General, August 29, 2013).
(d)The purpose of this act is to establish for California a robust medical cannabis regulatory and enforcement system to ensure that conduct in compliance with Californias medical marijuana laws does not threaten the federal priorities as set forth in the James M. Cole memorandum, and, therefore, does not require federal enforcement intervention.
SEC. 2.Section 2220.05 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2220.05.(a)In order to ensure that its resources are maximized for the protection of the public, the Medical Board of California shall prioritize its investigative and prosecutorial resources to ensure that physicians and surgeons representing the greatest threat of harm are identified and disciplined expeditiously. Cases involving any of the following allegations shall be handled on a priority basis, as follows, with the highest priority being given to cases in the first paragraph:
(1)Gross negligence, incompetence, or repeated negligent acts that involve death or serious bodily injury to one or more patients, such that the physician and surgeon represents a danger to the public.
(2)Drug or alcohol abuse by a physician and surgeon involving death or serious bodily injury to a patient.
(3)Repeated acts of clearly excessive prescribing, furnishing, or administering of controlled substances, or repeated acts of prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing of controlled substances, or recommending marijuana to patients for medical purposes, without a good faith prior examination of the patient and medical reason therefor. However, in no event shall a physician and surgeon prescribing, furnishing, or administering controlled substances for intractable pain consistent with lawful prescribing, including, but not limited to, Sections 725, 2241.5, and 2241.6 of this code and Sections 11159.2 and 124961 of the Health and Safety Code, be prosecuted for excessive prescribing and prompt review of the applicability of these provisions shall be made in any complaint that may implicate these provisions.
(4)Sexual misconduct with one or more patients during a course of treatment or an examination.
(5)Practicing medicine while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
(b)The board may by regulation prioritize cases involving an allegation of conduct that is not described in subdivision (a). Those cases prioritized by regulation shall not be assigned a priority equal to or higher than the priorities established in subdivision (a).
(c)The Medical Board of California shall indicate in its annual report mandated by Section 2312 the number of temporary restraining orders, interim suspension orders, and disciplinary actions that are taken in each priority category specified in subdivisions (a) and (b).
SEC. 3.Section 2242 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2242.(a)Prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing dangerous drugs as defined in Section 4022 without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication, constitutes unprofessional conduct. Prescribing or recommending marijuana to a patient for a medical purpose without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication constitutes unprofessional conduct.
(b)No licensee shall be found to have committed unprofessional conduct within the meaning of this section if, at the time the drugs were prescribed, dispensed, or furnished, any of the following applies:
(1)The licensee was a designated physician and surgeon or podiatrist serving in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be, and if the drugs were prescribed, dispensed, or furnished only as necessary to maintain the patient until the return of his or her practitioner, but in any case no longer than 72 hours.
(2)The licensee transmitted the order for the drugs to a registered nurse or to a licensed vocational nurse in an inpatient facility, and if both of the following conditions exist:
(A)The practitioner had consulted with the registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse who had reviewed the patients records.
(B)The practitioner was designated as the practitioner to serve in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be.
(3)The licensee was a designated practitioner serving in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be, and was in possession of or had utilized the patients records and ordered the renewal of a medically indicated prescription for an amount not exceeding the original prescription in strength or amount or for more than one refill.
(4)The licensee was acting in accordance with Section 120582 of the Health and Safety Code.
SEC. 4.Section 2264 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2264.The employing, directly or indirectly, the aiding, or the abetting of any unlicensed person or any suspended, revoked, or unlicensed practitioner to engage in the practice of medicine or any other mode of treating the sick or afflicted which requires a license to practice constitutes unprofessional conduct. Employment by, or other agreement with, a mandatory commercial licensee acting pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act or a dispensary to provide recommendations for medical marijuana constitutes unprofessional conduct.
SEC. 5.Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) is added to Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code, to read:18.Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control1.General Provisions26000.(a)This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act.
(b)It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to provide for the statewide regulation of the commercial cannabis activity and the enforcement of laws relating to commercial cannabis activities without preempting city or county ordinances regulating or banning these activities. This chapter is an exercise of the police powers of the state for the protection of the safety, welfare, health, peace, and morals of the people of the state.
26001.Without limiting the authority of a city or county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, or any other provision of law, and subject to that authority, the state shall have the exclusive right and power to regulate and license persons for the cultivation, manufacture, transportation, sale, and other related activities regarding medical cannabis within the state. In the exercise of these rights and powers, the state and each of its agencies are hereby deemed not to be engaged in activities requiring licensure under this chapter.
26002.For the purpose of this chapter:
(a)Department means the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
(b)Director means the Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, unless the context otherwise clearly indicates.
(a)Regulatory authority means the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing within the State Department of Public Health, or the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation within the Department of Food and Agriculture, as appropriate to the context.
(b)Regulatory director means the Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Director of Consumer Affairs, the Director of the Department of Public Health, or the Director of the Department of Food and Agriculture.
(c)Division means the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the department. Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, unless otherwise specified.
(d)Cannabis means all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, or cannabis ruderalis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin, whether crude or purified, extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin. It does not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant which is incapable of germination. Cannabis also means marijuana as defined by Section 11018 of the Health and Safety Code as enacted by Chapter 1407 of the Statutes of 1972.
(e)Commercial cannabis activity means any cultivation, possession, manufacture, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, distribution, or sale of cannabis or cannabis product, except as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 26052.
(f)Medical cannabis product, medical marijuana product, or cannabis product means any product containing cannabis, including, but not limited to, concentrates and extractions intended to be sold for use by medical marijuana patients in California pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Proposition 215).
(g)Manufactured cannabis means raw marijuana that has undergone a process whereby the raw agricultural product has been transformed into a concentrate, an edible product, or a topical product.
(h)Cannabis concentrate means manufactured cannabis that has undergone a process to concentrate the cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol active ingredient, thereby increasing the products potency.
(i)Cannabinoid means a chemical compound that is unique to and derived from cannabis, also known as phytocannabinoid.
(j)Edible cannabis product means manufactured cannabis that is intended to be used, in whole or in part, for human consumption, including, but not limited to, chewing gum.
(k)Topical cannabis means manufactured product intended for external use.
(l)Identification program means the universal identification certificate program for licensees.
(m)Mandatory commercial license or license means a mandatory commercial license issued pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 26040).
(n)Licensee means any person licensed under this chapter to engage in commercial cannabis activity related to medical cannabis or medical cannabis products as set forth in this chapter.
(o)Dispensary means a retail location that distributes cannabis or medical cannabis products and is owned and operated by a licensee for these activities pursuant to this chapter.
(p)Testing and labeling means a labeling and quality assurance plan that addresses all of the following:
(1)Potency.
(2)Chemical residue.
(3)Microbiological contaminants.
(4)Handling, care, and storage.
(5)Date and location of cultivation, processing, and manufacturing.
(q)Fund means the Medical Cannabis Control Fund established pursuant to Section 26028.
(r)Person means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation, limited liability company, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, syndicate, or any other group or combination acting as a unit and includes the plural as well as the singular number.
(s)Cultivation site means a location that grows cannabis or medical cannabis products and is owned and operated by a licensee for these activities pursuant to this chapter. chapter, including a nursery.
(t)Nursery means a licensee that produces only clones, immature plants, seeds, and other agricultural products used specifically for the planting, propagation, and cultivation of medical cannabis.
(u)Cultivation means any activity involving the planting, growing, harvesting, drying, processing, or trimming of cannabis.
(v)Dispensing means any activity involving the retail sale of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products.
26010.This chapter does not, nor does Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) and Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, prevent a city or county from doing any of the following:
(a)Adopting local ordinances inconsistent with this chapter that do the following:
(1)Regulate the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or any person that cultivates, processes, possesses, stores, manufactures, tests, transports, distributes, or sells medical cannabis.
(2)Prohibit commercial cannabis activity within their jurisdiction.
(b)The administrative, civil, or criminal enforcement of the ordinances described in subdivision (a).
(c)Establishing a fee or tax for the operation of a licensee within its jurisdiction.
(d)Enacting and enforcing other laws or ordinances pursuant to the authority granted by Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
2.Administration26020.(a)The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement is hereby established within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The division shall be Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement shall do all of the following:
(1)Be administered by a person who is appointed by the director. The division shall administer this chapter. Director of the Department of Alcholic Beverage Control.
(2)Administer this chapter, as it pertains to commercial cannabis activity relating to dispensaries.
(3)Lead all state and local authorities regarding the tracking of medical cannabis, medical cannabis products, and licensees pursuant to this chapter.
(b)The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing is hereby established within the Department of Public Health. The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing shall do all the following:
(1)Be administered by a person who is appointed by the State Health Officer.
(2)Administer this chapter, as it pertains to manufacturing, testing, and certification of testing laboratories for medical cannabis.
(c)The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation is hereby established within the Department of Food and Agriculture. The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall do all of the following:
(1)Be administered by a person who is appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Food and Agriculture.
(2)Administer this chapter as it pertains to cultivation of medical cannabis.
(d)The regulatory authorities shall issue licenses to applicants to engage in commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter. No person shall engage in commercial cannabis activity unless the person obtains permission pursuant to section 26045.
(e)The division shall maintain a registry of all permit holders and shall maintain a record of all licenses and commercial cannabis activity of the permit holder throughout the length of licensure and for a minimum of seven years following the expiration of each license.
(b)No person shall engage in commercial cannabis activity unless licensed by the division under this chapter. The division shall issue licenses to applicants to engage in commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter.
(c)The division
(f)Each regulatory authority shall adopt regulations as needed to implement that licensing program as set forth in Article 3 (commencing with Section 26040) within one year following the establishment of provisional licenses, pursuant to Section 26054. The regulations shall not limit the authority of a city or a county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, Section 26010 or 26060, or any other law. The regulations shall, in addition, do all of the following:
(1)Establish a scale of application, licensing, and renewal fees, based upon the cost of enforcing this chapter, as follows:
(A)The divisionEach regulatory authority shall charge each applicant for licensure or renewal an application or renewal fee that shall be calculated to cover the costs of processing the application or renewal. This fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with approving the application or renewal related to the varying activities covered by the license, but shall not exceed ___dollars ($____) for an initial application, and ____dollars ($____) for a renewal application.
(B)Upon the issuance of a license, the division Each regulatory authority shall charge each licensee a licensure fee. fee upon the issuance of a license. The licensure fee shall be calculated to cover the costs of administering this chapter, other than the costs of processing applications. The licensure fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with administering the various regulatory requirements of this chapter as they relate to the nature and scope of the different licensure activities, but shall not be less than ____ dollars ($____), nor more than ____ dollars ($____).
(C)The total fees assessed pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, provisional license fees set forth in Section 26054, shall be set at an amount that will fairly and proportionately generate sufficient total revenue to fully cover the total costs of administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, costs set forth in Section 26023.
(2)Establish procedures for approval or denial of applications for licensure for each and every aspect of commercial cannabis activity, including, but not limited to, cultivation, possession, manufacture, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, distribution, and sale of cannabis.
(3)Establish applicant qualifications.
(4)Establish licensee employee qualifications, including, but not limited to, training and screening requirements.
(5)Establish licensee security requirements, including, but not limited to, procedures to limit access to facilities and to prevent diversion of product to nonmedical use.
(6)Establish procedures and protocols for identifying, managing, and disposing of contaminated, adulterated, deteriorated, or excess product.
(7)Establish advertising, marketing, signage, and labeling requirements and restrictions.
(8)Establish procedures for the suspension, revocation, or surrender of a license and establishing related fines and penalties to be assessed against licensees for violations of this chapter.
(9)Establish procedures for the oversight of the fund established pursuant to Section 26028.
26021.(a)The division, in consultation with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, shall adopt regulations establishing worker safety standards in cultivation sites, manufacturing facilities, and retail dispensary sites.
(b)The division, Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall do all of the following: in
(a)Adopt regulations, in consultation with the Department of Water Resources, shall adopt regulations to ensure that commercial cannabis activity licensed pursuant to this chapter does not threaten the states clean water and environment.
(c)
(b)The division, in consultation with the Department of Food and Agriculture, shall adoptAdopt regulations ensuring that the cultivation of cannabis under this chapter is in compliance with standards equivalent to the statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the production of a food crop, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Regulations regarding the verification of cannabis stock for the purposes of cultivation.
(2)Cultivation protocols ensuring the quality, availability, and safety of the cannabis crop, including both indoor and outdoor cultivation standards and regulations regarding carbon offsets for indoor cultivation.
(3)Environmentally sound agricultural practices, including all of the following:
(A)A requirement that any actual, or potential for, environmental damage be addressed by the relevant state agency, including, but not limited to, the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, California regional water quality control boards, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, or the Department of Justice.
(B)A provision authorizing revocation of a licensee if the state determines that the conduct of the licensee threatens to inflict or has inflicted significant damage to the environment.
(C)Standards controlling the application of pesticides. These standards shall, at a minimum, require that if pesticides are to be used, the use comply with standards equivalent to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) of the Food and Agricultural Code and its implementing regulations.
(c)Adopt regulations to establish cultivation labeling and packaging standards and requirements, including, but not limited to, cultivation labeling requirements requiring labeling to include, at a minimum, cannabinoid levels, cannabinoid profile, and active ingredients.
(d)The division, in consultation with the Department of Consumer Affairs, shall adopt regulations to certify laboratories for the testing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, as defined in this chapter. Certification of testing laboratories shall be consistent with general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration activities, including sampling, using standard methods established by the International Organization for Standardization, including, but not limited to, ISO/IEC 17025.
26021.5.(a)State agencies shall collaborate with local agencies, and local agencies, within the scope of their jurisdiction, and to the extent that resources are available, shall assist state agencies in the enforcement of this chapter. This section shall not limit any other state or local requirements.
(b)No cannabis shall be cultivated on public lands pursuant to this chapter.
26022.The division, Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing, in consultation with the State Department of Public Health, shall adopt regulations to do all of the following:
(a)Establish product labeling and packaging standards and requirements, including, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)Cultivation labeling requirements requiring labeling to include, at a minimum, cannabinoid levels, cannabinoid profile, and active ingredients.
(2)
(1)Edible, manufactured, and topical cannabisAll manufactured cannabis product labeling and packaging standards, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)A requirement that the label include the manufacturing date, the name of the mandatory commercial licensee from which it was obtained, the active ingredients, net weight, cannabinoid profile, nutritional facts, dosage in total milligrams of cannabinoids delivered, and any potential allergens.
(B)A requirement that the label include the warnings: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND ANIMALS, and FOR MEDICAL USE ONLY.
(C)A requirement that packaging contain a clear indication in bold font that the package contains medical cannabis, and that the package not be designed in a manner that attracts minors.
(D)Standards for labeling food that clearly distinguish edible cannabis products from non-cannabis products.
(E)The name of the mandatory commercial licensee that manufactured the product.
(b)Establish consumer protection, food and product safety requirements, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Adverse event reporting and product recall systems that include batch, lot, or control number tracking, the requirement that employees who manufacture or otherwise handle edible medical cannabis products thoroughly wash their hands before commencing production and before handling finished edible medical cannabis products.
(2)Standards for cannabinoid dosage in edible products.
(3)Sanitation standards equivalent to the California Retail Food Code (Part 7 (commencing with Section 113700) of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code) for food preparation, storage, handling, and sale of medical cannabis products.
(4)A requirement that edible medical cannabis products be limited to foods that are not potentially hazardous food as set forth in Section 114365.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(5)A requirement that facilities in which edible medical cannabis products are prepared shall be constructed in accordance with building standards and health and safety standards applicable to a food production facility, including the requirement that edible products distributed or sold by dispensaries not be produced or stored in private homes.
(6)Weighing or measuring standards, including, but not limited to, the requirement that devices used in connection with the sale or distribution of cannabis meet standards equivalent to Division 5 (commencing with Section 12001) of the Business and Professions Code.
(7)Standards controlling the application of pesticides. These standards shall, at a minimum, require that if pesticides are to be used, the use comply with standards equivalent to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) of the Food and Agricultural Code and its implementing regulations.
(8)A requirement that all edible medical cannabis products shall be individually wrapped at the original point of preparation.
(c)Establish testing requirements for all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, including edible cannabis products and those used, or intended for use, via inhalation, including, but not limited to:
(1)Testing for the active cannabinoid-profile, constituent elements, and microbiological, bacterial, pathogenic yeast, and mold counts.
(2)Testing standards by which to test and measure the potency of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products. The division shall also determine maximum standards in the potency of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.
(3)Testing standards by which to test and measure the quality of the medical cannabis and medical cannabis product.
(4)Protocols for medical cannabis and medical cannabis product safety testing.
(d)Establish procedures for certifying laboratories for the testing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, as defined in this chapter. Certification of testing laboratories shall be consistent with general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration activities, including sampling, using standard methods established by the International Organization for Standardization, including, but not limited to, ISO/IEC 17025.
(e)Ensure licensed cannabis cultivation entities have access to existing agricultural incentive and support programs.
26022.5.The regulations shall not limit the authority of a city or a county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, Section 26010 or 26060, or any other law.
26023.The regulations shall set forth the inspection and enforcement responsibilities of the Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control, the State Department of Public Health, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Department of Water Resources, the State Department of Public Health, and the Department of Food and Agriculture associated with this chapter.
26023.5.(a)Without limiting the authority of a city or a county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution or any other law, the division Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement shall adopt regulations regarding the minimum standards for the operation of dispensaries. The regulations shall establish all of the following:
(1)Standards for labeling of products, including the name of the mandatory commercial licensee from which the product was obtained, and a A requirement that dispensaries provide patients with detailed written information about the contents of the cannabis and medical cannabis products they obtain.
(2)Requirements for inventory control and reporting that require all dispensaries to be able to demonstrate the present location, amounts, and descriptions of all medical cannabis products from the time of delivery to the dispensary until purchase by a qualified patient or primary caregiver.
(3)Minimum educational and testing requirements for licensee staff, including, but not limited to, background checks and a requirement that every dispensary maintain dedicated, licensed security staff both inside and outside the dispensary.
(4)Minimum standards governing signage and advertising for dispensaries.
(b)Commencing 180 days after the division begins issuing provisional licenses, a dispensary shall provide patients medical cannabis and medical cannabis products obtained only from persons licensed under this chapter.
(c)Out-of-state medical cannabis patients with current, valid verification that they are allowed to receive medical cannabis treatment within their home state may receive medical cannabis treatment, including the ability to purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries within this state upon verification of the documents by the dispensary, pursuant to protocols established by the division.
26024.(a)The division The regulatory authorities may assist state taxation authorities in the development of uniform policies for the state taxation of mandatory commercial licensees.
(b)The division shall assist the Division of Occupational Safety and Health in the Department of Industrial Relations in the development of industry-specific regulations related to commercial medical cannabis activities.
26028.(a)The Medical Cannabis Control Fund is hereby established within the State Treasury. Notwithstanding Section 16305.7 of the Government Code, the fund shall include any interest and dividends earned on the moneys in the fund.
(b)All fees collected pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited into the fees account, which is hereby established within the fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys within the fees account are hereby continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal year, to the division Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement solely for the purposes of fully funding and administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, the costs incurred by the division for its administrative expenses and costs and the costs of all regulatory authorization as set forth in Section 26023.
(c)All moneys collected pursuant to this chapter as a result of fines or penalties imposed under this chapter shall be deposited directly into the fines and penalties account, which is hereby established within the fund, and shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of funding the enforcement grant program pursuant to subdivision (d).
(d)The division regulatory authorities shall collaboratively establish and administer a grant program to allocate moneys from the fines and penalties account to state and local entities for the purpose of assisting with medical cannabis regulation and the enforcement of this chapter and other state and local laws applicable to licensees. The costs of the grant program under this subdivision shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be paid for with moneys in the fines and penalties account.
(e)The Department of Transportation shall conduct research regarding determining whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of cannabis, and shall develop protocols setting forth best practices to assist law enforcement agencies. The costs of the Department of Transportation under this subdivision shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be paid for with moneys in the fines and penalties account.
(f)The total fees charged pursuant to this chapter shall be sufficient to pay the costs associated with the administrative and enforcement duties of the division and of the associated state agencies in administering this chapter.
(g)The division regulatory authorities shall enter into an interagency agreement with the Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Department of Water Resources, the State Department of Public Health, and the Department of Food and Agriculture setting forth the duties of those agencies under this chapter and providing for reimbursement to the appropriate state and local authorities of associated costs from revenues deposited into the fees account of the fund.
26030.(a)The director regulatory directors and the persons employed by the division regulatory authorities for the administration and enforcement of this chapter are peace officers in the enforcement of the penal provisions of this chapter, the rules of the division adopted under this chapter, and any other penal provisions of law of this state prohibiting or regulating the cultivation, processing, storing, manufacturing, testing, transporting, or selling of medical cannabis, and these persons are authorized, while acting as peace officers, to enforce any penal provisions of state law while in the course of their employment.
(b)The director, regulatory directors, the persons employed by the division regulatory authorities for the administration and enforcement of this chapter, peace officers listed in Section 830.1 of the Penal Code, and those officers listed in Section 830.6 of the Penal Code while acting in the course and scope of their employment as peace officers may, in enforcing this chapter, visit and inspect the premises of any licensee at any time during which the licensee is acting pursuant to the mandatory commercial license.
(c)Peace officers of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, members of the University of California and California State University police departments, and peace officers of the Department of Parks and Recreation, as defined in subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (f) of Section 830.2 of the Penal Code, may, in enforcing this chapter, visit and inspect the premises of any licensee at any time during which the licensee is acting pursuant to the license.
26034.(a)Information identifying the names of patients, their medical conditions, or the names of their primary caregivers received and contained in records kept by the division regulatory authorities for the purposes of administering this chapter are confidential and shall not be disclosed pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code), except as necessary for authorized employees of the State of California or any city or county to perform official duties pursuant to this chapter, or a local ordinance adopted in accordance with Section 26010.
(b)Nothing in this section precludes the following:
(1)Division employees Employees of any of the regulatory authorities notifying state or local agencies about information submitted to the division that the employee suspects is falsified or fraudulent.
(2)Notifications from the division any of the regulatory authorities to state or local agencies about apparent violations of this chapter or any applicable local ordinance.
(3)Verification of requests by state or local agencies to confirm licenses and certificates issued by the division regulatory authorities or other state agency.
(4)Provision of information requested pursuant to a court order or subpoena issued by a court or an administrative agency or local governing body authorized by law to issue subpoenas.
(c)Information shall not be disclosed by any state or local agency beyond what is necessary to achieve the goals of a specific investigation, a notification, or the parameters of a specific court order or subpoena.
26035.This chapter does not require an employer to permit or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transportation, sale, or growth of cannabis in the workplace or to affect the ability of employers to have policies restricting the use of cannabis by employees.
3.Mandatory Commercial License26040.(a)The division regulatory authorities shall adopt regulations establishing a tiered licensing scheme to accommodate the different levels and types of activity to be licensed, including, but not limited to, licenses for the cultivation, testing, manufacture, transportation, and dispensing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products. The as follows:
(1)The Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation shall adopt regulations for a tiered licensing structure for the cultivation of medical cannabis.
(2)The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing shall adopt regulations, in consultation with the Department of Consumer Affairs, for the tiered licensing structure of the following:
(A)Manufacturing of medical cannabis products.
(B)Testing of medical cannabis products.
(C)Certification of medical cannabis testing laboratories.
(3)The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement shall adopt regulations for the tiered licensing structure for all the following:
(A)Wholesale of medical cannabis products, which shall include large-scale storage and distribution, as defined by the regulatory authority.
(B)Dispensing of medical cannabis products.
(b)The regulations shall set forth the application and licensure process, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)A description of the various specific forms of commercial cannabis activity to be authorized by the various types of licenses.
(2)The establishment of license application, issuance, renewal, suspension, surrender, and revocation procedures for the various types of licenses to be issued.
(3)The procedures for the issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of mandatory commercial licenses.
(4)Time periods, not to exceed 90 days, by which the division shall approve or deny an application for mandatory commercial licensure. The failure of the division to act upon an application for licensure within the time prescribed shall not be deemed approval of the application.
(5)Qualifications for licensees.
(6)Security requirements, including, but not limited to, procedures for limiting access to facilities and for the screening of employees.
(b)
(c)Each mandatory commercial license application approved by the division respective licensing authority pursuant to this chapter is separate and distinct.
(c)
(d)A mandatory commercial license application approved by the division respective licensing authority pursuant to this chapter shall be valid for a period not to exceed one year from the date of approval unless revoked or suspended earlier than that date pursuant to this chapter or the rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter
(e)Each regulatory authority may adopt regulations for additional licenses for any cannabis activity within its statutory jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter, as deemed necessary.
(f)Each mandatory commercial license application approved by the respective regulatory authority shall be reported to the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within 24 hours of its approval.
26041.An individual licensed pursuant to this chapter shall do Regulations adopted by the regulatory authorities shall require, at a minimum, all of the following, as applicable:
(a)A The regulations on the cultivation licensee of medical cannabis shall do all of the following:
(1)Comply Require that the cultivation licensee comply with all regulations of the Department of Food and Agriculture pursuant to this chapter regarding the cultivation of medical cannabis.
(2)Comply Require that the cultivation licensee comply with any other applicable requirement of the division pursuant to this chapter.
(3)Establish criteria for different tiers of cultivation licenses, including, but not limited to small, mid-sized, and large commercial cultivation licenses, based on the area, in square feet, in cannabis cultivation.
(4)Authorize commercial cultivation licensees to transport and deliver medical cannabis for commercial purposes to only another licensee of commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter. Cultivation licensees, without a separate dispensary license, who deliver directly to any entity not licensed pursuant to this chapter shall be fined and be under review for the revocation of licensure by the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation.
(5)Require licensees to track all cannabis products and report to the division, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(6)Require a cultivation licensee to obtain a sellers permit from the Board of Equalization to validate the authority of the licensee to sell commercial cannabis products to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity.
(7)Require a cultivation licensee to obtain a resale certificate upon the sale of cannabis to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity, to track the quantities exchanged.
(8)Require all medical cannabis to be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary. If the licensee has a separate dispensary license, all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products must be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to retail directly to consumers.
(9)Ensure licensed cannabis cultivation entities have access to existing agricultural incentive and support programs.
(b)Testing licensees shall be subject to The regulations on the testing of medical cannabis shall do all of the following:
(1)A Prohibit a testing licensee shall not receive from receiving medical cannabis products except through the division a regulatory authority or a medical cannabis licensee.
(2)A Prohibit a testing licensee shall not be from being licensed for any other activity authorized under this article, and shall not hold from holding an ownership interest in any real property, personal property, or other assets associated or used in any other license category.
(3)Any Require the licensee to follow any other applicable requirement of the division pursuant to this chapter.
(c)A manufacturing licensee shall comply with any applicable requirement of the division pursuant to this chapter.
(d)A transportation licensee of medical cannabis shall:
(c)Regulations on the manufacturing of medical cannabis shall do all of the following:
(1)Require the manufacturing licensee comply with all regulations of the State Department of Public Health pursuant to this chapter regarding the cultivation of medical cannabis.
(2)Require the manufacturing licensee comply with any other applicable requirement of the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement pursuant to this chapter.
(3)Establish criteria for different tiers of manufacturing licenses, including, but not limited to small, mid-sized, and large commercial manufacturing licenses.
(4)Authorize commercial manufacturing licensees to transport and deliver medical cannabis for commercial purposes to only another licensee of commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter. Manufacturing licensees, without a separate dispensary license, who deliver directly to any entity not licensed pursuant to this chapter shall be fined and be under review for the revocation of licensure by the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing.
(5)Require licensees to track all cannabis products and report to the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(6)Require a manufacturing licensee to obtain a sellers permit from the Board of Equalization to validate the authority of the licensee to sell commercial manufactured cannabis products to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity.
(7)Require a manufacturing licensee to obtain a resale certificate upon the sale of manufactured medical cannabis products to another licensee of commercial cannabis activity, to track the quantities exchanged.
(8)Require all manufactured medical cannabis and medical cannabis products to be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary. If the licensee has a separate dispensary license, all manufactured cannabis and medical cannabis products shall be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to retail sale directly to consumers.
(d)Regulations for the dispensing of medical cannabis shall do all of the following:
(1)Require the dispensary licensee comply with all regulations of the division pursuant to this chapter regarding the dispensing of medical cannabis
(2)Require the dispensary licensee comply with any other applicable requirements of the division pursuant to this chapter.
(3)Allow dispensary licensees to store limited quantities of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products for commercial purposes pursuant to this chapter, in a manner deemed safe and secure by the regulatory authority.
(4)Allow all non-mobile, non-vehicular, and non-Internet-based dispensaries to be licensed to transport medical cannabis and medical cannabis products directly to consumers.
(5)Require all mobile, vehicular and Internet-based dispensaries to maintain a business contract with a non-vehicular and non-mobile dispensary, and report all records of commercial activity to said entity.
(6)Require licensees to track all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products and report to the division, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(7)Require all dispensary licensees to obtain a sellers permit from the Board of Equalization to validate the authority of the licensee to sell medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, and to maintain receipts of all sales transactions.
(8)Require that, upon receipt of medical cannabis, manufactured medical cannabis, and medical cannabis products, the dispensary licensee shall request and record evidence that the product has been tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter.
(e)Regulations for the wholesale of medical cannabis shall do all of the following:
(1)Require all wholesale licensees to comply with all regulations of the division pursuant to this chapter regarding the wholesale storage and distribution of medical cannabis.
(2)Require the dispensary licensee comply with any other applicable requirements of the division pursuant to this chapter.
(3)Establish criteria for the qualifications of a wholesale licensee, including maximum quantities of medical cannabis that each licensee may store at one time.
(4)Authorize all wholesale licensees to do commercial business with only other licensees of commercial cannabis activity. All other licensees under this chapter shall not be required to work only with a wholesale licensee directly.
(5)Require that all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products be tested by the wholesale licensee prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary.
(6)Require licensees to track all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products and report to the Division on Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement, as specified by this chapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(f)All regulations related to transportation of cannabis shall require a medical cannabis licensee to do all of the following:
(1)Maintain intrastate operating authority.
(2)Maintain interstate operating authority, for the commercial purposes of the licensee, and only to the extent permitted by federal law.
(3)Be allowed by local jurisdictions to transport medical cannabis, if the licensee is in compliance with this chapter.
(e)Dispensary licensees shall:
(1)Be permitted to store quantities of medical cannabis for commercial purposes pursuant to this chapter, as deemed safe by the division.
(2)Comply with all applicable requirements of the division pursuant to this chapter.
26042.The division Each regulatory authority shall establish a scale of application, licensing, and renewal fees, based upon the cost of enforcing this chapter, as follows:
(a)The division Each regulatory authority shall charge each applicant for licensure or renewal an application or renewal fee that shall be calculated to cover the costs of processing the application or renewal. This fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with approving the application or renewal related to the varying activities covered by the license, but shall not exceed ____ dollars ($____) for an initial application, and ____dollars ($____) for a renewal application.
(b)Upon the issuance of a license, the division respective regulatory authority shall charge each licensee a licensure fee. The licensure fee shall be calculated to cover the costs of administering this chapter, other than the costs of processing applications. The licensure fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with administering the various regulatory requirements of this chapter as they relate to the nature and scope of the different licensure activities, but shall not be less than ____ dollars ($____), nor more than ____ dollars ($____).
(c)The division Each regulatory authority shall establish appropriate fees as part of its emergency regulations for the issuance of provisional licenses adopted pursuant to Section 26043.
(d)The total fees assessed pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, provisional license fees set forth in Section 26054, shall be set at an amount that will fairly and proportionately generate sufficient total revenue to fully cover the total costs of administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, costs set forth in Section 26023.
26043.The division Each regulatory authority shall adopt, as soon as practicable, emergency regulations consistent with this chapter to allow a qualified applicant for licensure to apply for and receive a provisional license to engage in commercial cannabis activity so as to ensure an adequate supply of medical cannabis upon full implementation of this chapter as set forth in Section 26054.
26045.26044.Every mandatory commercial license is renewable unless the license has been revoked if the renewal application is submitted and the fee for it is paid. A license that has been suspended, but not revoked, may be renewed under this section, however, the act of renewal shall not affect the suspension and the suspension shall remain in effect upon renewal. All licenses expire at 12 midnight on the last day of the month posted on the license. All licenses shall be renewed as follows:
(a)The application to renew the license may be filed before the license expires upon payment of the annual fee.
(b)For 60 days after the license expires, the license may be renewed upon payment of the annual renewal fee plus a penalty fee that shall be equal to 50 percent of the annual fee.
(c)Unless otherwise terminated, or unless renewed pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b), a license that is in effect on the month posted on the license continues in effect through 12 midnight of the 60th day following the month posted on the license, at which time it is automatically canceled.
(d)A license that has been canceled pursuant to subdivision (c) may be reinstated during the 30 days immediately following cancellation upon payment by cashiers check or money order of the annual renewal fee, plus a penalty fee that shall be equal to 100 percent of the annual fee. A license that has been canceled pursuant to subdivision (c) and that has not been reinstated within 30 days pursuant to this subdivision is automatically revoked on the 31st day after the license has been canceled.
(e)A renewal application shall not be deemed filed within the meaning of this section unless the document itself has been actually delivered to, and the required renewal fee has been paid at, any office of the division during office hours, or unless both the document and fee have been filed and remitted pursuant to Section 11003 of the Government Code.
26045.A person shall engage in commercial cannabis activity only if the person has complied with all of the following conditions:
(a)The person has obtained permission from local authorities approving the proposed commercial cannabis activity. This requirement shall not apply to a person who holds a valid business license, conditional use permit, or other locally issued permit for commercial cannabis activity. For the purposes of this subdivision, the document granting the permission shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:
(1)The legal name, address and date of birth of the applicant.
(2)The type of license the applicant is requesting a permit for.
(3)Documentation that the applicant has been in compliance with local ordinances and regulations, including, but not limited to, an entity granted immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(4)A statement of whether or not the applicant has previously committed a felony, as described in paragraph (8) of subdivision (e) of Section 26047.
(5)A statement signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the application is true.
(b)The person submits a copy of the permission, or equivalent qualifying documents, to the division for recordation. Upon receipt of an approved permission, the division shall provide the applicant with a certificate of approval for licensure, to be presented to the relevant regulatory authority under which the person seeks licensure. No regulatory authority shall grant approval of an application without a certificate of approval for application of commercial cannabis licensure for the applicant.
(c)The person applies for licensure for commercial cannabis activity from a regulatory authority and receives approval for that licensure.
(d)The person abides by all local and state ordinances and regulations pursuant to this chapter.
26046.(a)An application for a license shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)A certificate of approval for licensure by the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement.
(1)
(2)The legal name and proposed physical addresses of the mandatory commercial licensee.
(2)
(3)The name, address, and date of birth of each principal officer and board member.
(3)
(4)Operating and inventory control procedures to ensure security and prevent diversion.
(4)
(5)Detailed operating procedures for the proposed facility, which shall include, but not be limited to, provisions for facility and operational security, prevention of diversion, employee screening, storage of medical cannabis, personnel policies, and recordkeeping procedures.
(5)
(6)A list of all persons or entities having an ownership interest other than a security interest, lien, or encumbrance on any property that will be used by the applicant.
(6)
(7)Evidence of the legal right to occupy and use an established location, or an immunity from prosecution for that occupancy or use pursuant to a local ordinance or ordinances, including, but not limited to, Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(7)
(8)Documentation that the applicant will be in compliance with all local ordinances and regulations, including, but not limited to, an entity granted immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(8)
(9)Evidence that a minimum of 75 percent all of the officers and owners of the applicant organization have been residents of the State of California for at least three years.
(9)
(10)For an applicant with 20 employees or more, a statement that the applicant will enter into, or demonstrate that it has already entered into, and abide by the terms of, a labor peace agreement, as defined by the division in consultation with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
(10)
(11)For an applicant seeking a license to cultivate, a statement declaring the applicant is an agricultural employer, as defined in the Alatorre-Zenovich-Dunlap-Berman Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975 (Part 3.5 (commencing with Section 1140) of Division 2 of the Labor Code), to the extent not prohibited by law.
(11)
(12)A statement signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the application is true.
(b)For applicants seeking a license to cultivate and process, the application shall also include a detailed description of the operating procedures for all of the following:
(1)Cultivation.
(2)Extraction and infusion methods.
(3)The transportation process.
(4)Inventory procedures.
(5)Quality control procedures.
26047.(a)Upon receipt of an application for licensure and the applicable fee, the division respective regulatory authority shall make a thorough investigation to determine whether the applicant and the premises for which a license is applied qualify for the license and whether this chapter has been complied with, and shall investigate all matters connected therewith that may affect the public welfare and morals.
(b)The division respective regulatory authority shall deny an application if either the applicant or the premises for which a license is applied do not qualify for licensure under this chapter.
(c)The division respective regulatory authority may, at its discretion, issue a license to an applicant who has obtained a certificate of rehabilitation pursuant to Section 4852.13 of the Penal Code.
(d)The division respective regulatory authority may place reasonable conditions upon licensure if grounds exist for denial of the license, and the division finds those grounds may be removed by the imposition of those conditions. However, the limitations set forth in paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 26040 shall not be waived.
(e)The division respective regulatory authority shall deny the application for licensure or renewal if any of the following conditions apply:
(1)Granting or continuation of a license would be contrary to the public welfare or morals.
(2)The applicant holding or seeking a license has violated any law prohibiting conduct involving moral turpitude.
(3)Local agencies have notified the division and provided evidence that a licensee or applicant within its jurisdiction is in violation of local ordinances relating to cannabis activities.
(4)The application has failed to state with sufficient specificity the jurisdiction in which the applicant proposes to establish operations.
(5)The applicant fails to meet the requirements of this chapter or any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter, or any applicable city or county ordinance or regulation.
(6)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners, is under 21 years of age.
(7)The applicant has knowingly answered a question or request for information falsely on the application form or failed to provide information requested.
(8)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners has been convicted of a felony criminal conviction for drug trafficking, a violent felony, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code, a serious felony as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 1192.7 of the Penal Code, a felony offense involving fraud or deceit, or any other felony that, in the divisions determination, would impair the applicants ability to appropriately operate as a mandatory commercial licensee.
(9)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners is a licensed physician making patient recommendations for medical cannabis.
(10)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners has been sanctioned by the division, a city, or a county for unlicensed commercial medical cannabis activities or has had a license revoked under this chapter in the previous three years.
(11)Applicants shall be notified of a denied application in writing via personal service or mail addressed to the address of the applicant or licensee set forth in the application. The denial letter shall contain the detailed reasons for which the application has been denied. The applicant shall have the right to appeal the denial and be given a hearing within 30 days of the appeal. On appeal, the decision shall be upheld unless the applicant demonstrates that the applicant is in fact eligible for licensure and the application is in compliance with this chapter.
26048.(a)The division respective regulatory authority shall electronically submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information for all applicants for cultivation, dispensing, manufacturing, and transportation licenses for the purpose of obtaining information as to the existence and content of a record of state or federal convictions and arrests, and information regarding whether the person is free on bail, or on his or her own recognizance, pending trial or appeal.
(b)The Department of Justice shall provide a response to the division pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.
(c)The division shall request from the Department of Justice subsequent notification service, as provided pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code, for persons described in this section.
(d)The Department of Justice shall charge a fee sufficient to cover the reasonable cost of processing the requests described in this section.
26049.(a)The actions of a mandatory commercial licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents, permitted pursuant to a mandatory commercial license or provisional license issued by the division or otherwise permitted by this chapter, that are within the scope of the license issued pursuant to this chapter and the regulations adopted pursuant to the authority granted by this chapter, are not unlawful under state law and shall not be an offense subject to arrest, prosecution, or other sanction under state law, or be subject to a civil fine or be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under law.
(b)The actions of a person who, in good faith and upon investigation, allows his or her property to be used by a mandatory commercial licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents, as permitted pursuant to a mandatory commercial license or provisional license issued by the division or otherwise permitted by this chapter, are not unlawful under state law and shall not be an offense subject to arrest, prosecution, or other sanction under state law, or be subject to a civil fine or be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under state law.
(c)Conduct that is within the scope of a license issued pursuant to this chapter but not fully in compliance with this chapter shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of this chapter and shall not be subject to the penal provisions generally prohibiting cannabis-related activity, unless and until the license is revoked.
(d)This section shall not be deemed to limit the authority or remedies of a city or county under any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution or Section 26010 or 26060.
26050.(a)A licensee shall keep, at the licensed premises, accurate records of the specific commercial cannabis activity conducted by the licensee. The records shall include, at a minimum, all of the following for each batch of product:
(1)The name and address of the supplier.
(2)The dates on which the product was received.
(3)The amounts, form, and batch and lot number.
(4)The location of the cultivation site.
(5)The name of the employee who received the product.
(6)Records demonstrating compliance by the licensee with state and federal rules and regulations regarding reporting and taxation of income received.
(b)The records shall be kept for a minimum of seven years.
(c)The division may make any examination of the books and records of any licensee and may visit and inspect the premises of any licensee that the division may deem necessary to perform its duties under this chapter.
(d)If the licensee or any employee of the licensee refuses, impedes, obstructs, or interferes with an inspection pursuant to this chapter or local ordinance, or if the licensee fails to maintain or provide the books and records required by this section, the license may be summarily suspended and the division shall directly commence proceedings for the revocation of the license in accordance with this chapter.
(e)All cultivation, dispensing, and retail sales licensees shall be subject to an annual audit by the State Auditor in order to ensure proper documentation is kept at each site or facility.
26052.(a)This chapter shall not apply to, and shall have no diminishing effect on, the rights and protections granted to a patient or a primary caregiver pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.
(b)(1)A patient who cultivates, possesses, stores, manufactures, or transports cannabis exclusively for his or her personal medical use but who does not sell or distribute cannabis to any other person is not, thereby, engaged in commercial cannabis activity and is, therefore, exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter.
(2)A primary caregiver who cultivates, possesses, stores, manufactures, transports, donates, or provides cannabis exclusively for the personal medical purposes of a specified qualified patient for whom he or she is the primary caregiver within the meaning of Section 11362.7 of the Health and Safety Code but who does not receive remuneration for these activities except for compensation in full compliance with subdivision (c) of Section 11362.765 of the Health and Safety Code is not, thereby, engaged in commercial cannabis activity and is, therefore, exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter.
26054.(a)The division Each regulatory authority shall, as soon as practicable following January 1, 2016, allow a qualified applicant for licensure to apply for and receive a provisional license to engage in commercial cannabis activity so as to ensure an adequate supply of medical cannabis upon full implementation of this chapter.
(b)The division Each regulatory authority shall establish appropriate fees not to exceed ____ dollars ($____) for the issuance of a provisional license under its jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter.
(c)The division shall accept applications for provisional commercial licenses for medical cannabis activity as follows:
(1)The division shall request that every city or county provide the division with a list of approved entities providing medical cannabis to qualified patients and caregivers within the city or countys jurisdiction, if any, the location at which the entity is operating, and the names of the persons who operate the entity. If the jurisdiction represents that the entity has been operating in compliance with local laws and regulations, or has limited immunity under local laws, including, but not limited to, Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election, the division shall issue a provisional license to the entity until the time that the entitys application for mandatory commercial licensure has been approved or denied under this chapter, but no later than 90 days after the division begins accepting applications for mandatory commercial licensure.
(2)The division
(c)Each regulatory authority shall issue a provisional license to individuals and entities that the division the regulatory authority determines were, during the 12 3 months prior to January 1, 2016, regularly cultivating, processing, manufacturing, transporting, or distributing medical cannabis collectively or cooperatively in full compliance with paragraphs A and B of Section IV of the Guidelines for Security and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical Use, issued by the Department of Justice in August 2008, and any applicable local ordinance, to continue to do so until the licensees application for mandatory commercial licensure has been approved or denied under this chapter, but no later than 90 days after the division regulatory authority begins accepting applications for regular mandatory commercial licenses. The division regulatory authority may consult with relevant local agencies in making a determination on whether a provisional license applicant is in compliance with any applicable ordinance.
(d)To qualify for a provisional mandatory commercial license, applicants shall disclose to the division appropriate regulatory authority all of the following information in writing:
(1)The names, addresses, and dates of birth of each principal officer, owner, or board member.
(2)The common street address and assessors parcel number of the property at which the licensee conducts any activity under the authority of the licensee.
(3)The common street address and assessors parcel number of the property at which any cultivation activity was or is to be conducted.
(4)For the 12 3 months prior to January 1, 2016, the quantity of cannabis cultivated, processed, manufactured, tested, transported, or sold at a location and the quantity expected to be cultivated, processed, manufactured, tested, transported, or sold from January 1, 2016, to July 1, 2016, inclusive. The licensee shall make its records of current activity and activity for the 12 3 months prior to January 1, 2016, available to the division upon request.
(e)Upon receipt of the application materials and fee, the division may issue a provisional license and send a proof of issuance to the applicant, if the applicant has not committed any act or crime constituting grounds for the denial of licensure.
(f)Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the division shall not issue a provisional license to an individual or entity, or for a premises, against whom there are pending state or local administrative or judicial proceedings or actions initiated by a city, county, or city and county under any applicable local ordinance or who has been determined through those proceedings to have violated any local ordinance related to cannabis activity, or that knowingly provides false or fraudulent information on an application for licensure.
(g)Entities that are provided immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election, shall be considered the equivalent of entities that are registered, permitted, or licensed as a medical marijuana business, dispensary, or other entity involved in providing medical marijuana to patients under a local ordinance and shall be considered in compliance with a local ordinance for the purposes of the implementation of this section.
(h)Provisional licensees shall comply with all standards and requirements applicable to a licensee under this chapter, including, but not limited to, the production, recordkeeping, security, and transportation requirements and standards.
(i)Beginning July 1, 2017, all commercial cannabis activity shall be conducted between licensees of commercial cannabis activity, pursuant to this chapter. If the regulatory authorities have not promulgated their respective regulations by that date, the regulatory authorities shall provide an extension for all provisional licenses for applicants abiding by the provisions of this chapter.
26055.The division regulatory authority may adopt regulations to permit the transfer of a license from a licensee to another person who demonstrates to the division regulatory authority that he or she is eligible for licensure under this chapter, if the following requirements are met:
(a)The division has determined that granting an additional license of the type in question in the geographic region in question may lead to the availability of product in excess of the amounts needed to meet the medical need.
(b)The prospective recipient of the license complies with all of the requirements of this chapter relating to a new application for licensure, including, but not limited to, payment to the division regulatory authority of a reasonable license transfer fee.
26057.The division Each regulatory authority shall make recommendations to the Legislature pertaining to the establishment of an appeals and judicial review process for persons aggrieved by a final decision of the division regulatory authority.
4.Enforcement26060.(a)The division Each regulatory authority shall work in conjunction with law enforcement agencies for the purposes of implementing, administering, and enforcing this chapter and the divisions regulations and taking appropriate action against licensees and others who fail to comply with this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(b)Nothing in this chapter or in Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) or Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, shall prevent a city, county, or city and county from adopting or enforcing a zoning ordinance or other law, ordinance, or regulation that regulates the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or other person that engages in commercial cannabis activity.
26062.Except for a person identified in Section 26052, a person shall not exercise the privilege or perform any act that a licensee may exercise or perform under the authority of a license unless the person is acting pursuant to a license, including, but not limited to, a provisional license issued pursuant to this chapter.
26063.(a)Any product containing cannabis that is distributed or offered for sale by a licensee shall comply with the testing, labeling, and food safety requirements established pursuant to this chapter.
(b)No person shall steal or fraudulently use a licensees identification certificate or license, or other licensees identification card or license issued by the division, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, test, transport, produce, possess for sale, sell, or distribute cannabis.
(c)No person shall counterfeit, tamper with, or fraudulently produce an identification card or license status.
(d)Any person who violates this section, or Section 26062, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to the following penalties:
(1)For the first offense, imprisonment in a county jail for no more than ____months or a fine not to exceed ____dollars ($____), or both.
(2)For a second or subsequent offense, imprisonment in a county jail for no more than ____ or a fine not to exceed ____ dollars ($____), or both.
(e)Any person who is charged, prosecuted, or subjected to a civil penalty under this chapter shall not also be charged or prosecuted pursuant to the Health and Safety Code for conduct arising from the same set of facts.
26064.Any person engaging in commercial cannabis activity and operating an unlicensed facility, building, structure, vehicle, mobile unit, or location in violation of this chapter shall be subject to civil penalties of up to ____ dollars ($____) for each violation, and the division or court may order the destruction of any cannabis associated with that violation. All civil fines collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the fines and penalties account established pursuant to Section 26028. If an action for civil penalties is brought by the Attorney General, the penalty collected shall be deposited into the General Fund pursuant to Section 26028. If the action is brought by a district attorney or county counsel, the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered. If the action is brought by a city attorney or city prosecutor, the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the city in which the judgment was entered.
26066.(a)The Any regulatory director or any district attorney, county counsel, city attorney, or city prosecutor may bring an action in the name of the people of the State of California to enjoin a violation or the threatened violation of any provision of this chapter, including, but not limited to, a licensees failure to correct objectionable conditions following notice or as a result of any rule promulgated pursuant to this chapter, and to assess and recover civil penalties in accordance with this chapter. The action shall be brought in the county in which the violation occurred or is threatened to occur. Any proceeding for injunctive relief brought pursuant to this chapter shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(b)A state or local agency shall immediately notify the division of any violations or arrests made for violations over which the division has jurisdiction which involve a licensee or licensed premises. Notice shall be given within 10 days of the violation or arrest. The division shall promptly cause an investigation to be made as to whether grounds exist for suspension or revocation of the license.
(c)This chapter shall not be construed to limit a law enforcement agencys ability to investigate unlawful activity in relation to a mandatory commercial licensee.
(d)The division shall keep a complete record of all entities licensed pursuant to this chapter. This record shall be made available on the divisions Internet Web site so as to permit state and local law enforcement to verify a mandatory commercial license.
(e)The department shall authorize the A city, county, or city and county to may impose a temporary local suspension temporary local suspension of the license of a commercial licensee for up to 30 days for violations of this chapter. The department regulatory authority shall promptly cause an investigation to be made as to whether grounds exist for continued suspension or revocation of the license. A city, county, or city and county may impose a subsequent temporary local suspension of the license of a commercial licensee for the same violation until the regulatory authoritys investigation and all appeals are complete.
5.Transportation of Medical Cannabis26100.A licensed transporter shall licensee authorized to transport medical cannabis and medical cannabis products shall do so only between licensed facilities. as set forth in this chapter.
26102.(a)Prior to transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products, a licensed transporter licensee authorized to transport medical cannabis or medical cannabis products shall do both of the following:
(1)Complete an electronic shipping manifest as prescribed by the division.
(2)Securely transmit the manifest to the division and the licensee that will receive the medical cannabis product.
(b)During transportation, the licensed transporter shall maintain a physical copy of the shipping manifest and make it available upon request to agents of the division, local law enforcement officers, or any other designated enforcement agency.
(c)The licensee receiving the shipment shall maintain each electronic shipping manifest and shall make it available upon request to agents of the division, local law enforcement officers, or any other designated enforcement agency.
(d)Upon receipt of the shipment, a licensed facility shall submit to the division a record verifying receipt of the shipment and the details of the shipment.
26104.(a)Transported medical cannabis or medical cannabis products shall be transported only in a storage compartment that is securely affixed to the interior of the transporting vehicle, and shall not be visible from outside the vehicle. This requirement shall only apply to licensees transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products with a total retail value of over five hundred dollars ($500).
(b)A vehicle transporting medical cannabis products shall travel only directly between licensed facilities.
(c)All transport vehicles shall be staffed with a minimum of two employees. At least one transport member shall remain with the vehicle at all times when the vehicle contains medical cannabis. This requirement shall only apply to licensees transporting medical cannabis or medical cannabis products with a total retail value of over five thousand dollars ($5,000).
(d)Each transport team member shall possess documentation of licensing and a government-issued identification card at all times when transporting or delivering medical cannabis and shall produce it upon the request of agents of the division any regulatory authority or any law enforcement officials.
26105.(a)The division shall develop a database containing the electronic shipping manifests, which shall include, but are not limited to, the following information:
(1)The quantity, or weight, and variety of products shipped.
(2)The estimated times of departure and arrival.
(3)The quantity or weight, and variety of products received.
(4)The actual time of arrival.
(5)A categorization of the product.
(b)The database shall be designed to flag irregularities for the division any regulatory authority to investigate. The division Any regulatory authority may, at any time, inspect shipments and request documentation for current inventory.
6.Cannabis Employee Certification and Apprenticeship Program for Cultivation Sites and Dispensaries26140.This article applies only to cultivation sites and dispensaries.
26140.5.The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall do all of the following:
(a)Maintain minimum standards for the competency and training of employees of a licensed cultivator or dispensary through a system of testing and certification.
(b)Maintain an advisory committee and panels as necessary to carry out its functions under this article. There shall be employer representation on the committee and panels.
(c)Adopt regulations as determined to be necessary to implement this article.
(d)Issue certification cards to employees certified pursuant to this article.
(e)Establish registration fees in an amount reasonably necessary to implement this article, not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for the initial registration. There shall be no fee for annual renewal of registration. Fees shall be placed in the fund.
26141.(a)Commencing By January 1, 2019, 2017, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall develop a certification program for cannabis employees. Commencing January 1, 2019, except as provided in subdivision (c), certification shall be required of all persons who perform work as cannabis employees shall be certified by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. employees.
(b)Commencing January 1, 2019, individuals Individuals desiring to be certified shall submit an application for certification and examination.
(c)(1)Certification is not required for registered apprentices working as cannabis employees as part of an apprenticeship program approved on or after January 1, 2019, under a state-approved apprenticeship program. An apprentice who is within one year of completion of his or her term of apprenticeship shall be permitted to take the certification examination and, upon passing the examination, shall be certified immediately upon completion of the term of apprenticeship.
(2)On or after Commencing January 1, 2019, an uncertified person may perform work for which certification is otherwise required in order to acquire the necessary on-the-job experience for certification provided that the person shall be under the direct supervision of a cannabis employee certified pursuant to Section 26141 who is responsible for supervising no more than one uncertified person.
(3)The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement may develop additional criteria governing this subdivision.
26141.5.(a)The following shall constitute additional grounds for disciplinary proceedings, including suspension or revocation of the license issued pursuant to this chapter:
(1)The licensee willfully employs one or more uncertified persons to perform work as cannabis employees in violation of this section.
(2)The licensee willfully fails to provide adequate supervision of uncertified workers.
(3)The licensee willfully fails to provide adequate supervision of apprentices performing work pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 26141.
(b)The Labor Commissioner shall maintain a process for referring cases to the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement appropriate regulatory authority when it has been determined that a violation of this section has likely occurred. The Labor Commissioner shall have a memorandum of understanding with the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement regulatory authorities in furtherance of this section.
(c)Upon receipt of a referral by the Labor Commissioner alleging a violation under this section, the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement appropriate regulatory authority shall open an investigation. Disciplinary action against the licensee shall be initiated within 60 days of the receipt of the referral. The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement regulatory authority may initiate disciplinary action against a licensee upon his or her own investigation, the filing of a complaint, or a finding that results from a referral from the Labor Commissioner alleging a violation under this section. Failure of the employer or employee to provide evidence of certification or apprentice status shall create a rebuttable presumption of violation of this provision.
(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2019.
SEC. 6.Section 23028 is added to the Government Code, to read:23028.(a)(1)In addition to any authority otherwise provided by law, the board of supervisors of any county may impose, by ordinance, a tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, producing, processing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling, or distributing cannabis by a licensee operating pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code). The tax may be imposed for general governmental purposes or for purposes specified in the ordinance by the board of supervisors.
(2)The board of supervisors shall specify in the ordinance proposing the tax the activities subject to the tax, the applicable rate or rates, the method of apportionment, and the manner of collection of the tax. A tax imposed pursuant to this section is a tax and not a fee or special assessment, and the tax is not required to be apportioned on the basis of benefit to any person or property or be applied uniformly to all taxpayers or all real property.
(3)A tax imposed by a county pursuant to this section by a county may include a transactions and use tax imposed solely for cannabis or cannabis products, which shall otherwise conform to Part 1.6 (commencing with Section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. Notwithstanding Section 7251.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, the tax may be imposed at any rate specified by the board of supervisors, and the tax rate authorized by this section shall not be considered for purposes of the combined tax rate limitation established by that section.
(4)The tax authorized by this section may be imposed upon any or all of the activities set forth in paragraph (1), regardless of whether the activity is undertaken individually, collectively, or cooperatively, and regardless of whether the activity is for compensation or gratuitously, as determined by the board of supervisors.
(5)The board of supervisors shall specify whether the tax applies throughout the entire county or within the unincorporated area of the county.
(b)In addition to any other method of collection authorized by law, the board of supervisors may provide for the collection of the tax imposed pursuant to this section in the same manner, and subject to the same penalties and priority of lien, as other charges and taxes fixed and collected by the county.
(c)Any tax imposed pursuant to this section shall be subject to applicable voter approval requirements imposed by any other law.
(d)For purposes of this section, marijuana or cannabis shall have the meanings set forth in Section 26002 of the Business and Professions Code.
(e)This section does not limit or prohibit the levy or collection or any other fee, charge, or tax, or any license or service fee or charge upon, or related to, the activities set forth in subdivision (a) as otherwise provided by law. This section shall not be construed as a limitation upon the taxing authority of any county as provided by other law.
(f)The total taxation of state and local authorities shall not be in excess of 25 percent of retail prices.
SEC. 7.Section 11362.775 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:11362.775.(a)Qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and the designated primary caregivers of qualified patients and persons with identification cards, who associate within the State of California in order collectively or cooperatively to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, shall not solely on the basis of that fact be subject to state criminal sanctions under Section 11357, 11358, 11359, 11360, 11366, 11366.5, or 11570.
(b)Commencing 180 days following the issuance of provisional licenses pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code), subdivision (a) shall not apply to licensees under that act. The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement Each regulatory authority shall post a notice on its Internet Web site indicating when it has commenced issuing provisional licenses and when the 180-day period has been exhausted.
SEC. 8.Section 147.5 is added to the Labor Code, to read:147.5.(a)By January 1, 2017, the division shall convene an advisory committee to evaluate whether there is a need to develop industry-specific regulations related to the activities of facilities issued a license pursuant to Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code.
(b)By July 1, 2017, the advisory committee shall present to the board its findings and recommendations for consideration by the board. By July 1, 2017, the board shall render a decision regarding the adoption of industry-specific regulations pursuant to this section.
SEC. 9.Section 3094 is added to the Labor Code, to read:3094.The Division of Apprenticeship Standards shall investigate, approve, or reject applications for apprenticeship programs for employees of a licensee subject to Article 6 (commencing with Section 26140) of Chapter 18 of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code. The Division of Apprenticeship Standards shall adopt regulations necessary to implement and regulate the establishment of the apprenticeship programs described in this section.
SEC. 10.The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
SEC. 11.The Legislature finds and declares that Section 5 of this act, which adds Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) to Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:
It is necessary to maintain the confidentiality of patient and physician information provided to the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement regulatory authorities in order to protect the private medical information of patients who use medical cannabis and to preserve the essential confidentiality of the physician and patient relationship.
SEC. 12.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The people of California enacted the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 to ensure that seriously ill Californians have access to marijuana for medical purposes. The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 urged the state and federal governments to implement a plan to provide for the safe and affordable distribution of medical marijuana to all patients in medical need of the drug.
(b)Under federal law, marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug. Its placement in that schedule is based upon a finding that marijuana has no currently accepted medical use. That finding, if correct at the time it was made, is no longer accurate. California, exercising its traditional power to regulate the practice of medicine, has determined that marijuana has a significant role to play.
(c)California, acting alone, is powerless to change federal law and to correct this misunderstanding in federal law about the role that marijuana can and does play in the practice of medicine. However, federal enforcement authorities have recognized that in states that have authorized marijuana use and have enacted strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems to control the cultivation, distribution, sale, and possession of marijuana, conduct in compliance with those regulatory and enforcement systems is less likely to threaten federal priorities and, thus, less likely to require federal enforcement intervention (See: Memorandum For All United States AttorneysGuidance Regarding Marijuana Enforcement, by James M. Cole, Deputy Attorney General, August 29, 2013).
(d)The purpose of this act is to establish for California a robust medical cannabis regulatory and enforcement system to ensure that conduct in compliance with Californias medical marijuana laws does not threaten the federal priorities as set forth in the James M. Cole memorandum, and and, therefore, does not require federal enforcement intervention.
SEC. 2.Section 2220.05 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2220.05.(a)In order to ensure that its resources are maximized for the protection of the public, the Medical Board of California shall prioritize its investigative and prosecutorial resources to ensure that physicians and surgeons representing the greatest threat of harm are identified and disciplined expeditiously. Cases involving any of the following allegations shall be handled on a priority basis, as follows, with the highest priority being given to cases in the first paragraph:
(1)Gross negligence, incompetence, or repeated negligent acts that involve death or serious bodily injury to one or more patients, such that the physician and surgeon represents a danger to the public.
(2)Drug or alcohol abuse by a physician and surgeon involving death or serious bodily injury to a patient.
(3)Repeated acts of clearly excessive prescribing, furnishing, or administering of controlled substances, or repeated acts of prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing of controlled substances, or recommending marijuana to patients for medical purposes, without a good faith prior examination of the patient and medical reason therefor. However, in no event shall a physician and surgeon prescribing, furnishing, or administering controlled substances for intractable pain consistent with lawful prescribing, including, but not limited to, Sections 725, 2241.5, and 2241.6 of this code and Sections 11159.2 and 124961 of the Health and Safety Code, be prosecuted for excessive prescribing and prompt review of the applicability of these provisions shall be made in any complaint that may implicate these provisions.
(4)Sexual misconduct with one or more patients during a course of treatment or an examination.
(5)Practicing medicine while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
(b)The board may by regulation prioritize cases involving an allegation of conduct that is not described in subdivision (a). Those cases prioritized by regulation shall not be assigned a priority equal to or higher than the priorities established in subdivision (a).
(c)The Medical Board of California shall indicate in its annual report mandated by Section 2312 the number of temporary restraining orders, interim suspension orders, and disciplinary actions that are taken in each priority category specified in subdivisions (a) and (b).
SEC. 3.Section 2242 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2242.(a)Prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing dangerous drugs as defined in Section 4022 without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication, constitutes unprofessional conduct. Prescribing or recommending marijuana to a patient for a medical purpose without an appropriate in-person prior examination and a medical indication, or recommending marijuana for a nonmedical purpose, indication constitutes unprofessional conduct.
(b)No licensee shall be found to have committed unprofessional conduct within the meaning of this section if, at the time the drugs were prescribed, dispensed, or furnished, any of the following applies:
(1)The licensee was a designated physician and surgeon or podiatrist serving in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be, and if the drugs were prescribed, dispensed, or furnished only as necessary to maintain the patient until the return of his or her practitioner, but in any case no longer than 72 hours.
(2)The licensee transmitted the order for the drugs to a registered nurse or to a licensed vocational nurse in an inpatient facility, and if both of the following conditions exist:
(A)The practitioner had consulted with the registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse who had reviewed the patients records.
(B)The practitioner was designated as the practitioner to serve in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be.
(3)The licensee was a designated practitioner serving in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be, and was in possession of or had utilized the patients records and ordered the renewal of a medically indicated prescription for an amount not exceeding the original prescription in strength or amount or for more than one refill.
(4)The licensee was acting in accordance with Section 120582 of the Health and Safety Code.
SEC. 4.Section 2264 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2264.The employing, directly or indirectly, the aiding, or the abetting of any unlicensed person or any suspended, revoked, or unlicensed practitioner to engage in the practice of medicine or any other mode of treating the sick or afflicted which requires a license to practice constitutes unprofessional conduct. Employment by, or other agreement with, a mandatory commercial licensee acting pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act or a dispensary to provide recommendations for medical marijuana constitutes unprofessional conduct.
SEC. 5.Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) is added to Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code, to read:18.Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control1.General Provisions26000.(a)This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act.
(b)It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to provide for the statewide regulation of the commercial cannabis activity and the enforcement of laws relating to commercial cannabis activities without preempting city or county ordinances regulating or banning these activities. This chapter is an exercise of the police powers of the state for the protection of the safety, welfare, health, peace, and morals of the people of the state.
26001.Without limiting the authority of a city or county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, or any other provision of law, and subject to that authority, the state shall have the exclusive right and power to regulate and license persons for the cultivation, manufacture, transportation, sale, and other related activities regarding medical cannabis within the state. In the exercise of these rights and powers, the state and each of its agencies are hereby deemed not to be engaged in activities requiring licensure under this chapter.
26002.For the purpose of this chapter:
(a)Department means the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
(b)Director means the Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, unless the context otherwise clearly indicates.
(c)Division means the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the department.
(d)Cannabis means all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, or cannabis ruderalis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin, whether crude or purified, extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin. It does not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant which is incapable of germination. Cannabis also means marijuana as defined by Section 11018 of the Health and Safety Code as enacted by Chapter 1407 of the Statutes of 1972.
(e)Commercial cannabis activity means any cultivation, possession, manufacture, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, distribution, or sale of cannabis or cannabis product, except as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 26052.
(f)Medical cannabis product, medical marijuana product product, or cannabis product means any product containing cannabis, including, but not limited to to, concentrates and extractions intended to be sold for use by medical marijuana patients in California pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Proposition 215).
(g)Manufactured cannabis means raw marijuana that has undergone a process whereby the raw agricultural product has been transformed into a concentrate, an edible product, or a topical product.
(h)Cannabis concentrate means manufactured cannabis that has undergone a process to concentrate the THC, cannabinoid active ingredient, thereby increasing the products potency.
(i)Terahydrocannabinol or THC means a crystalline compound that is the physiologically active ingredient of cannabis.
(i)Cannabinoid means a chemical compound that is unique to and derived from cannabis, also known as phytocannabinoid.
(j)Edible cannabis product means manufactured cannabis that is intended to be used, in whole or in part, for human consumption, including, but not limited to, chewing gum.
(k)Topical cannabis means manufactured product intended for external use.
(l)Identification program means the universal identification certificate program for licensees.
(m)Mandatory commercial license or license means a mandatory commercial license issued pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 26040).
(n)licensee Licensee means any person licensed under this chapter to engage in commercial cannabis activity related to medical cannabis as set forth in this chapter.
(o)Dispensary means a licensee that dispenses retail location that distributes cannabis or medical cannabis products. products and is owned and operated by a licensee for these activities pursuant to this chapter.
(p)Testing and labeling means a labeling and quality assurance plan that addresses all of the following:
(1)Potency.
(2)Chemical residue.
(3)Microbiological contaminants.
(4)Handling, care, and storage.
(5)Date and location of cultivation, processing, and manufacturing.
(q)Fund means the Medical Cannabis Control Fund established pursuant to Section 26028.
(r)Person means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation, limited liability company, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, syndicate, or any other group or combination acting as a unit and includes the plural as well as the singular number.
(s)Cultivation site means a location that grows cannabis or medical cannabis products and is owned and operated by a licensee for these activities pursuant to this chapter.
(t)Nursery means a licensee that produces only clones, immature plants, seeds, and other agricultural products used specifically for the planting, propagation, and cultivation of medical cannabis.
26010.This chapter does not, nor does Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) and Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, prevent a city or county from doing any of the following:
(a)Adopting local ordinances consistent inconsistent with this chapter that regulate do the following:
(1)Regulate the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or any person that cultivates, processes, possesses, stores, manufactures, tests, transports, distributes, or sells medical cannabis.
(2)Prohibit commercial cannabis activity within their jurisdiction.
(b)The civil administrative, civil, or criminal enforcement of the ordinances described in subdivision (a).
(c)Establishing a fee or tax for the operation of a licensee within its jurisdiction.
(d)Enacting and enforcing other laws or ordinances pursuant to the authority granted by Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
2.Administration26020.(a)The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement is hereby established within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The division shall be administered by a person who is appointed by the director. The division shall administer this chapter.
(b)No person shall engage in commercial cannabis activity unless licensed by the division under this chapter. The division shall issue licenses to applicants to engage in commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter.
(c)The division shall adopt regulations as needed to implement that licensing program as set forth in Article 3 (commencing with Section 26040). 26040) within one year following the establishment of provisional licenses, pursuant to Section 26054. The regulations shall not limit the authority of a city or a county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, Section 26010 or 26060, or any other law. The regulations shall, in addition, do all of the following:
(1)Establish a scale of application, licensing, and renewal fees, based upon the cost of enforcing this chapter, as follows:
(A)The division shall charge each applicant for licensure or renewal an application or renewal fee that shall be calculated to cover the costs of processing the application or renewal. This fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with approving the application or renewal related to the varying activities covered by the license, but shall not exceed ___dollars ($____) for a an initial application, and ____dollars ($____) for a renewal application.
(B)Upon the issuance of a license, the division shall charge each licensee a licensure fee. The licensure fee shall be calculated to cover the costs of administering this chapter, other than the costs of processing applications. The licensure fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with administering the various regulatory requirements of this chapter as they relate to the nature and scope of the different licensure activities, but shall not be less than ____ dollars ($____), nor more than ____ dollars ($____).
(C)The total fees assessed pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, provisional license fees set forth in Section 26054, shall be set in at an amount that will fairly and proportionately generate sufficient total revenue to fully cover the total costs of administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, costs set forth in Section 26023.
(2)Establish procedures for approval or denial of applications for licensure for each and every aspect of commercial cannabis activity, including, but not limited to, cultivation, possession, manufacture, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, distribution, and sale of cannabis.
(3)Establish applicant qualifications.
(4)Establish licensee employee qualifications, including, but not limited to, training and screening requirements.
(5)Establish licensee security requirements, including, but not limited to, procedures to limit access to facilities and to prevent diversion of product to nonmedical use.
(6)Establish procedures and protocols for identifying, managing, and disposing of contaminated, adulterated, deteriorated deteriorated, or excess product.
(7)Establish advertising, marketing, signage, and labeling requirements and restrictions.
(8)Establish procedures for the suspension, revocation, or surrender of a license and establishing related fines and penalties to be assessed against licensees for violations of this chapter.
(9)Establish procedures for the oversight of the fund established pursuant to Section 26028.
26021.(a)The division, in consultation with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, shall adopt regulations establishing worker safety standards in cultivation sites, manufacturing facilities, and retail dispensary sites.
(b)The division, in consultation with the Department of Water Resources, shall adopt regulations to ensure that commercial cannabis activity licensed pursuant to this chapter does not threaten the states clean water and environment and is otherwise in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000)) of the Public Resources Code). environment.
(c)The division, on in consultation with the Department of Food and Agriculture, shall adopt regulations ensuring that the cultivation of cannabis under this chapter is in compliance with all standards equivalent to the statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the production of a food crop, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Regulations regarding the verification of cannabis stock for the purposes of cultivation.
(2)Cultivation protocols ensuring the quality, abundance, availability, and safety of the cannabis crop, including both indoor and outdoor cultivation standards and regulations regarding carbon offsets for indoor cultivation.
(3)Environmentally sound agricultural practices, including all of the following:
(A)A requirement that any actual, or potential for, environmental damage be addressed by the relevant state agency, including including, but not limited to, the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, California regional water quality control boards, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, or the Department of Justice, CalFire. Justice.
(B)A provision authorizing revocation of a licensee if the state determines that the conduct of the licensee threatens to inflict or has inflicted significant damage to the environment.
(C)Standards controlling the application of pesticides. These standards shall, at a minimum, require that if pesticides are to be used, the use comply with standards analogous equivalent to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) of the Food and Agricultural Code and its implementing regulations.
(d)The division, in consultation with the Department of Consumer Affairs, shall adopt regulations to certify laboratories for the testing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, as defined in this chapter. Certification of testing laboratories shall be consistent with general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration activities, including sampling, using standard methods established by the International Organization for Standardization, including, but not limited to, ISO/IEC 17025.
26021.5.(a)State agencies shall collaborate with local agencies, and local agencies shall, agencies, within the scope of their jurisdiction, and to the extent that resources are available, shall assist state agencies in the enforcement of this chapter. This section shall not limit any other state or local requirements.
(b)No marijuana cannabis shall be cultivated on public lands pursuant to this chapter.
26022.The division, in consultation with the State Department of Public Health, shall adopt regulations to do all of the following:
(a)Establish labeling and packaging standards and requirements, including, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)Cultivation labeling requirements requiring labeling to include, at a minimum, THC cannabinoid levels, cannabinoid profile, and active ingredients.
(2)Edible Edible, manufactured, and topical cannabis product labeling and packaging standards, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)A requirement that the label include the manufacturing date, the active ingredients, net weight, cannabinoid profile, nutritional facts, dosage in total milligrams of THC cannabinoids delivered, and any potential allergens.
(B)A requirement that the label include the warnings: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN, CHILDREN AND ANIMALS, and FOR MEDICAL USE ONLY.
(C)A requirement that packaging contain a clear indication in bold font that the package contains medical cannabis, and that the package not be designed in a manner that attracts minors.
(D)Standards for labeling food that clearly distinguish edible cannabis products from non-cannabis products.
(b)Establishing Establish consumer protection, food and product safety requirements, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Adverse event reporting and product recall systems that include batch, lot, or control number tracking, the requirement that employees who manufacture or otherwise handle edible medical marijuana cannabis products thoroughly wash their hands before commencing production and before handling finished edible medical marijuana cannabis products.
(2)Standards for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) cannabinoid dosage in edible products.
(3)Sanitation standards analogous equivalent to the California Retail Food Code (Part 7 (commencing with Section 113700) of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code) for food preparation, storage, handling, and sale of medical cannabis products.
(4)A requirement that edible medical cannabis products be limited to foods that are nonpotentially not potentially hazardous food as set forth in Section 114365.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(5)A requirement that facilities in which edible medical cannabis products are prepared shall be constructed in accordance with building standards and health and safety standards applicable to a food production facility, including the requirement that edible products distributed or sold by dispensaries not be produced or stored in private homes.
(6)Weighing or measuring standards, including, but not limited to to, the requirement that devices used in connection with the sale or distribution of cannabis meet standards analogous equivalent to Division 5 (commencing with Section 12001) of the Business and Professions Code.
(7)Standards controlling the application of pesticides. These standards shall, at a minimum, require that if pesticides are to be used, the use comply with standards analogous equivalent to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) of the Food and Agricultural Code and its implementing regulations.
(8)A requirement that all edible medical marijuana cannabis products shall be individually wrapped at the original point of preparation.
(c)Establishing Establish testing requirements for all medical cannabis products, including edible cannabis products and those used, or intended for use, via inhalation, including, but not limited to:
(1)Testing for the active cannibinoid profile, cannabinoid-profile, constituent elements, and microbiological, bacterial, pathogenic yeast yeast, and mold counts.
(2)Testing standards by which to test and measure the potency of medical marijuana cannabis products. The division shall also determine maximum standards in the potency of medical marijuana cannabis products.
(3)A requirement that local county public health departments conduct product safety testing annually to ensure the quality of the cannabis product.
(4)A requirement that quality assurance tests be conducted at a testing laboratory certified by the State Department of Public Health.
(5)A requirement for random quality assurance testing by certified testing laboratories. Testing laboratories are exempt from licensure under this chapter. A testing laboratory shall not receive medical cannabis products except through the division or a medical cannabis licensee. Individual medical patients may deliver samples for testing with a licensee. The licensee shall verify the patients medical recommendation and may then transfer the sample to a certified laboratory for testing.
(3)Testing standards by which to test and measure the quality of the cannabis product.
(4)Protocols for cannabis product safety testing.
26022.5.The regulations shall not limit the authority of a city or a county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, Section 26010 or 26060, or any other law.
26023.The regulations shall set forth the inspection and enforcement responsibilities of the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Department of Water Resources, the State Department of Public Health, and the Department of Food and Agriculture associated with this chapter.
26023.5.(a)Without limiting the authority of a city or a county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution or any other law, the division shall adopt regulations regarding the minimum standards for the operation of dispensaries. The regulations shall establish all of the following:
(1)Standards for labeling of products, including the name of the mandatory commercial licensee from which the product was obtained, and a requirement that dispensaries provide patients with detailed written information about the contents of the cannabis and medical cannabis products they obtain.
(2)Requirements for inventory control and reporting that require all dispensaries to be able to demonstrate the present location, amounts, and descriptions of all medical cannabis products from the time of delivery to the dispensary until purchase by a qualified patient or primary caregiver.
(3)Minimum educational and testing requirements for licensee staff, including, but not limited to, background checks and a requirement that every dispensary maintain dedicated, licensed security staff both inside and outside the dispensary.
(4)Minimum standards governing signage and advertising for dispensaries.
(b)Commencing 180 days after the division begins issuing provisional licenses, a dispensary shall provide patients medical marijuana cannabis and medical marijuana cannabis products obtained only from persons licensed under this chapter.
(c)Out-of-state medical cannabis patients with current, valid verification that they are allowed to receive medical cannabis treatment within their home state may receive medical cannabis treatment, including the ability to purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries within this state upon verification of the documents by the dispensary, pursuant to protocols established by the division.
26024.(a)The division may assist state taxation authorities in the development of uniform policies for the state taxation of mandatory commercial licensees.
(b)The division shall assist the Division of Occupational Safety and Health in the Department of Industrial Relations in the development of industry-specific regulations related to commercial medical cannabis activities.
26028.(a)The Medical Cannabis Control Fund is hereby established within the State Treasury. Notwithstanding Section 16305.7 of the Government Code, the fund shall include any interest and dividends earned on the money moneys in the fund.
(b)All fees collected pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited into the fees account, which is hereby established within the fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys within the fees account are hereby continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal year, to the division solely for the purposes of fully funding and administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, the costs incurred by the division for its administrative expenses and costs set forth in Section 26023.
(c)All moneys collected pursuant to this chapter as a result of fines or penalties imposed under this chapter shall be deposited directly into the fines and penalties account, which is hereby established within the fund, and shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of funding the enforcement grant program pursuant to subdivision (d).
(d)The division shall establish and administer a grant program to allocate moneys from the fines and penalties account to state and local entities for the purpose of assisting with medical cannabis regulation and the enforcement of this chapter and other state and local laws applicable to licensees. The costs of the grant program under this subdivision shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be paid for with moneys in the fines and penalties account.
(e)The Department of Transportation shall conduct research regarding determining whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana, cannabis, and shall develop protocols setting forth best practices to assist law enforcement agencies. The costs of the Department of Transportation under this subdivision shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be paid for with moneys in the fines and penalties account.
(f)The total fees charged pursuant to this chapter shall be sufficient to pay the costs associated with the administrative and enforcement duties of the division and of the associated state agencies in administering this chapter.
(g)The division shall enter into an interagency agreement with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Department of Water Resources, the State Department of Public Health, and the Department of Food and Agriculture setting forth the duties of those agencies under this chapter and providing for reimbursement of associated costs from revenues deposited into the fees account of the fund.
26030.(a)The director and the persons employed by the division for the administration and enforcement of this chapter are peace officers in the enforcement of the penal provisions of this chapter, the rules of the division adopted under this chapter, and any other penal provisions of law of this state prohibiting or regulating the cultivation, processing, storing, manufacturing, testing, transporting, or selling of medical cannabis, and these persons are authorized, while acting as peace officers, to enforce any penal provisions of state law while in the course of their employment.
(b)The director, the persons employed by the division for the administration and enforcement of this chapter, peace officers listed in Section 830.1 of the Penal Code, and those officers listed in Section 830.6 of the Penal Code while acting in the course and scope of their employment as peace officers may, in enforcing this chapter, visit and inspect the premises of any licensee at any time during which the licensee is acting pursuant to the mandatory commercial license.
(c)Peace officers of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, members of the University of California and California State University police departments, and peace officers of the Department of Parks and Recreation, as defined in subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (f) of Section 830.2 of the Penal Code, may, in enforcing this chapter, visit and inspect the premises of any licensee at any time during which the licensee is acting pursuant to the license.
26034.(a)Information identifying the names of patients, their medical conditions, or the names of their primary caregivers received and contained in records kept by the division for the purposes of administering this chapter are confidential and exempt from shall not be disclosed pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code) and are not subject to disclosure to any individual or private entity, Code), except as necessary for authorized employees of the State of California or any city or county to perform official duties pursuant to this chapter: chapter, or a local ordinance adopted in accordance with Section 26010.
(b)Nothing in this section precludes the following:
(1)Division employees notifying state or local agencies about information submitted to the division that the employee suspects is falsified or fraudulent.
(2)Notifications from the division to state or local agencies about apparent violations of this chapter. chapter or any applicable local ordinance.
(3)Verification of requests by state or local law enforcement agencies to confirm licenses and certificates issued by the division or other state agency.
(4)Provision of information requested pursuant to a court order or subpoena issued by a court or an administrative agency or local governing body authorized by law to issue subpoenas.
(c)Information shall not be disclosed by any state or local agency beyond what is necessary to achieve the goals of a specific investigation investigation, a notification, or the parameters of a specific court order or subpoena.
26035.Nothing in this chapter is intended to This chapter does not require an employer to permit or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transportation, sale or growth or sale, or growth of cannabis in the workplace or to affect the ability of employers to have policies restricting the use of cannabis by employees.
3.Mandatory Commercial License26040.(a)The division shall adopt regulations establishing a tiered licensing scheme to accommodate the different levels and types of activity to be licensed. licensed, including, but not limited to, licenses for the cultivation, testing, manufacture, transportation, and dispensing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products. The regulations shall set forth the application and licensure process, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)A description of the various specific forms of commercial cannabis activity to be authorized by the various types of licenses.
(2)The establishment of license application, issuance, renewal, suspension, surrender, and revocation procedures for the various types of licenses to be issued.
(3)The procedures for the issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of mandatory commercial licenses.
(4)Time periods, not to exceed 90 days, by which the division shall approve or deny an application for mandatory commercial licensure. The failure of the division to act upon an application for licensure within the time prescribed shall not be deemed approval of the application.
(5)Qualifications for licensees.
(6)Security requirements, including, but not limited to, procedures for limiting access to facilities and for the screening of employees.
(b)Each mandatory commercial license application approved by the division pursuant to this chapter is separate and distinct.
(c)A mandatory commercial license application approved by the division pursuant to this chapter shall be valid for a period not to exceed one year from the date of approval unless revoked or suspended earlier than that date pursuant to this chapter or the rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter
26041.A license application or renewal shall not be approved if the division determines any of the following:
(a)The applicant fails to meet the requirements of this chapter or any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter, or any applicable city or county ordinance or regulation.
(b)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners, is under 21 years of age.
(c)The applicant has knowingly answered a question or request for information falsely on the application form or failed to provide information requested.
(d)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners has been convicted in the previous five years of a violent felony, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code, a serious felony as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 1192.7 of the Penal Code, a felony offense involving fraud or deceit, or any other felony that, in the divisions estimation, would impair the applicants ability to appropriately operate as a mandatory commercial licensee.
(e)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners is a licensed physician making patient recommendations for medical cannabis.
(f)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners has been sanctioned by the division, a city, or a county for unlicensed commercial medical cannabis activities or has had a license revoked under this chapter in the previous three years.
(g)For an applicant that will have more than 20 employees, the applicant has entered into a labor peace agreement with a bona fide labor organization that is actively engaged in representing or attempting to represent the applicants employees.
26041.An individual licensed pursuant to this chapter shall do the following, as applicable:
(a)A cultivation licensee shall:
(1)Comply with all regulations of the Department of Food and Agriculture pursuant to this chapter regarding the cultivation of medical cannabis.
(2)Comply with any other applicable requirement of the division pursuant to this chapter.
(b)Testing licensees shall be subject to the following:
(1)A testing licensee shall not receive medical cannabis products except through the division or a medical cannabis licensee.
(2)A testing licensee shall not be licensed for any activity authorized under this article, and shall not hold an ownership interest in any real property, personal property, or other assets associated or used in any other license category.
(3)Any other applicable requirement of the division pursuant to this chapter.
(c)A manufacturing licensee shall comply with any applicable requirement of the division pursuant to this chapter.
(d)A transportation licensee of medical cannabis shall:
(1)Maintain intrastate operating authority.
(2)Maintain interstate operating authority, to the extent permitted by federal law.
(3)Be allowed by local jurisdictions to transport medical cannabis, if the licensee is in compliance with this chapter.
(e)Dispensary licensees shall:
(1)Be permitted to store quantities of medical cannabis for commercial purposes pursuant to this chapter, as deemed safe by the division.
(2)Comply with all applicable requirements of the division pursuant to this chapter.
26042.The division shall establish a scale of application, licensing, and renewal fees, based upon the cost of enforcing this chapter, as follows:
(a)The division shall charge each applicant for licensure or renewal an application or renewal fee that shall be calculated to cover the costs of processing the application or renewal. This fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with approving the application or renewal related to the varying activities covered by the license, but shall not exceed ____ dollars ($____) for a an initial application, and ____dollars ($____) for a renewal application.
(b)Upon the issuance of a license, the division shall charge each licensee a licensure fee. The licensure fee shall be calculated to cover the costs of administering this chapter, other than the costs of processing applications. The licensure fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with administering the various regulatory requirements of this chapter as they relate to the nature and scope of the different licensure activities, but shall not be less than ____ dollars ($____), nor more than ____ dollars ($____).
(c)The division shall establish appropriate fees as part of its emergency regulations for the issuance of provisional licenses adopted pursuant to Section 26043.
(d)The total fees assessed pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, provisional license fees set forth in Section 26054, shall be set in at an amount that will fairly and proportionately generate sufficient total revenue to fully cover the total costs of administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, costs set forth in Section 26023.
26043.(a)The division shall adopt, as soon as practicable, emergency regulations consistent with this chapter to allow a qualified applicant for license licensure to apply for and receive a provisional licensed license to engage in commercial cannabis activity so as to ensure an adequate supply of medical cannabis upon full implementation of this chapter as set forth in Section 26054.
26045.Every mandatory commercial license is renewable unless the license has been revoked if the renewal application is submitted and the fee for it is paid. A license that has been suspended, but not revoked, may be renewed under this section, however, the act of renewal shall not effect affect the suspension and the suspension shall remain in effect upon renewal. All licenses expire at 12 midnight on the last day of the month posted on the license. All licenses shall be renewed as follows:
(a)The application to renew the license may be filed before the license expires upon payment of the annual fee.
(b)For 60 days after the license expires, the license may be renewed upon payment of the annual renewal fee plus a penalty fee that shall be equal to 50 percent of the annual fee.
(c)Unless otherwise terminated, or unless renewed pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b), a license that is in effect on the month posted on the license continues in effect through 12 midnight of the 60th day following the month posted on the license, at which time it is automatically canceled.
(d)A license that has been canceled pursuant to subdivision (c) may be reinstated during the 30 days immediately following cancellation upon payment by cashiers check or money order of the annual renewal fee, plus a penalty fee that shall be equal to 100 percent of the annual fee. A license that has been canceled pursuant to subdivision (c) and that has not been reinstated within 30 days pursuant to this subdivision is automatically revoked on the 31st day after the license has been canceled.
(e)A renewal application shall not be deemed filed within the meaning of this section unless the document itself has been actually delivered to, and the required renewal fee has been paid at, any office of the division during office hours, or unless both the document and fee have been filed and remitted pursuant to Section 11003 of the Government Code.
26046.(a)An application for a license shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)The legal name and proposed physical addresses of the mandatory commercial licensee.
(2)The name, address, and date of birth of each principal officer and board member.
(3)Operating and inventory control procedures to ensure security and prevent diversion.
(4)Detailed operating procedures for the proposed facility, which shall include, but not be limited to, provisions for facility and operational security, prevention of diversion, employee screening, storage of medical cannabis, personnel policies, and recordkeeping procedures.
(5)A list of all persons or entities having an ownership interest other than a security interest, lien, or encumbrance on any property that will be used by the applicant.
(6)Evidence of the legal right to occupy and use an established location, or an immunity from prosecution for that occupancy or use pursuant to a local ordinance or ordinances, including, but not limited to, Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(7)Documentation that the applicant will be in compliance with all local ordinances and regulations, including, but not limited to, an entity granted immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(8)Evidence that a minimum of 75 percent of the officers and owners of the applicant organization are have been residents of the State of California for at least three years.
(9)For an applicant with 20 employees or more, a statement that the applicant will enter into, or demonstrate that it has already entered into, and abide by the terms of, a labor peace agreement, as defined by the division in consultation with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
(10)For an applicant seeking a license to cultivate, a statement declaring the applicant is an agricultural employer, as defined in the Alatorre-Zenovich-Dunlap-Berman Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975 (Part 3.5 (commencing with Section 1140) of Division 2 of the Labor Code), to the extent not prohibited by law.
(9)
(11)A statement signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the application is true.
(b)For applicants seeking a license to cultivate and process, the application shall also include a detailed description of the operating procedures for all of the following:
(1)Cultivation.
(2)Extraction and infusion methods.
(3)The transportation process.
(4)Inventory procedures.
(5)Quality control procedures.
26047.(a)Upon receipt of an application for a licensure and the applicable fee, the division shall make a thorough investigation to determine whether the applicant and the premises for which a license is applied qualify for the license and whether this chapter has been complied with, and shall investigate all matters connected therewith that may affect the public welfare and morals.
(b)The division shall deny an application if either the applicant or the premises for which a license is applied do not qualify for a licensure under this chapter.
(c)The division may, at its discretion, issue a license to an applicant who has obtained a certificate of rehabilitation pursuant to Section 4852.13 of the Penal Code.
(d)The division may place reasonable conditions upon licensure if grounds exist for denial of the license, and the division finds those grounds may be removed by the imposition of those conditions. However, the limitations set forth in paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 26040 shall not been be waived.
(e)The division shall deny the application for licensure or renewal if any of the following conditions apply:
(1)Granting or continuation of a license would be contrary to the public welfare or morals.
(2)The applicant holding or seeking a license has violated any law prohibiting conduct involving moral turpitude.
(3)The applicant for has been previously convicted for drug trafficking, a felony conviction for embezzlement, a felony conviction involving fraud or deceit, or any violent or serious felony conviction.
(4)
(3)Local agencies have notified the division and provided evidence that a licensee or applicant within its jurisdiction is in violation of local ordinances relating to marijuana cannabis activities.
(5)
(4)The application has failed to state with sufficient specificity the jurisdiction in which the applicant proposes to establish operations.
(5)The applicant fails to meet the requirements of this chapter or any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter, or any applicable city or county ordinance or regulation.
(6)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners, is under 21 years of age.
(7)The applicant has knowingly answered a question or request for information falsely on the application form or failed to provide information requested.
(8)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners has been convicted of a felony criminal conviction for drug trafficking, a violent felony, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code, a serious felony as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 1192.7 of the Penal Code, a felony offense involving fraud or deceit, or any other felony that, in the divisions determination, would impair the applicants ability to appropriately operate as a mandatory commercial licensee.
(9)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners is a licensed physician making patient recommendations for medical cannabis.
(10)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners has been sanctioned by the division, a city, or a county for unlicensed commercial medical cannabis activities or has had a license revoked under this chapter in the previous three years.
(6)
(11)Applicants shall be notified of a denied application in writing via personal service or mail addressed to the address of the applicant or licensee set forth in the application. The denial letter shall contain the detailed reasons for which the application has been denied. The applicant shall have the right to appeal the denial and be given a hearing within 30 days of the appeal. On appeal, the decision shall be upheld unless the applicant demonstrates that the applicant is in fact eligible for licensure and the application is in compliance with this chapter.
26048.(a)The division shall electronically submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information for all applicants for cultivation, dispensing, manufacturing, and transportation licenses for the purpose of obtaining information as to the existence and content of a record of state or federal convictions and arrests, and information regarding whether the person is free on bail, or on his or her own recognizance, pending trial or appeal.
(b)The Department of Justice shall provide a response to the division pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.
(c)The division shall request from the Department of Justice subsequent notification service, as provided pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code, for persons described in this section.
(d)The Department of Justice shall charge a fee sufficient to cover the reasonable cost of processing the requests described in this section.
26049.(a)The actions of a mandatory commercial licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents, permitted pursuant to a mandatory commercial license or provisional license issued by the division or otherwise permitted by this chapter, that are within the scope of the license issued pursuant to this chapter and the regulations adopted pursuant to the authority granted by this chapter, are not unlawful under state law or local ordinance generally prohibiting marijuana related activity and shall not be an offense subject to arrest, prosecution, or other sanction under state law or local ordinance, law, or be subject to a civil fine or be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under law.
(b)The actions of a person who, in good faith and upon investigation, allows his or her property to be used by a mandatory commercial licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents, as permitted pursuant to a mandatory commercial license or provisional license issued by the division or otherwise permitted by this chapter, are not unlawful under state law and shall not be an offense subject to arrest, prosecution, or other sanction under state law, or be subject to a civil fine or be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under state law.
(c)Conduct that is within the scope of a license issued pursuant to this chapter but not fully in compliance with this chapter shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of this chapter and shall not be subject to the penal provisions generally prohibiting marijuana related cannabis-related activity, unless and until the license is revoked.
(d)This section shall not be deemed to limit the authority or remedies of a city or county under any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 26010 or 26060 of this code or Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution. Constitution or Section 26010 or 26060.
26050.(a)A licensee shall keep, at the licensed premises, accurate records of the specific commercial cannabis activity conducted by the licensee. The records shall include, at a minimum, all of the following for each batch of product:
(1)The name and address of the supplier.
(2)The dates in on which the product was received.
(3)The amounts, form, and batch and lot number.
(4)The location of the cultivation site.
(5)The name of the employee who received the product.
(6)Records demonstrating compliance by the licensee with state and federal rules and regulations regarding reporting and taxation of income received.
(b)The records shall be kept for a minimum of seven years.
(c)The division may make any examination of the books and records of any licensee and may visit and inspect the premises of any licensee that the division may deem necessary to perform its duties under this chapter.
(d)If the licensee or any employee of the licensee refuses, impedes, obstructs, or interferes with an inspection pursuant to this chapter or local ordinance, or if the licensee fails to maintain or provide the books and records required by this section, the license may be summarily suspended and the division shall directly commence proceedings for the revocation of the license in accordance with this chapter.
(e)All cultivation, dispensing, and retail sales licensees shall be subject to an annual audit by the State Auditor in order to ensure proper documentation is kept at each site or facility.
26052.(a)This chapter shall not apply to, and shall have no diminishing effect on, the rights and protections granted to a patient or a primary caregiver pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.
(b)(1)A patient who cultivates, possesses, stores, manufactures, or transports cannabis exclusively for his or her personal medical use but who does not sell or distribute cannabis to any other person is not, thereby, engaged in commercial cannabis activity and is, therefore, exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter.
(2)A primary caregiver who cultivates, possesses, stores, manufactures, transports, donates donates, or provides cannabis exclusively for the personal medical purposes of a specified qualified patient for whom he or she is the primary caregiver within the meaning of Section 11362.7 of the Health and Safety Code but who does not receive remuneration for these activities except for compensation in full compliance with subdivision (c) of Section 11362.765 of the Health and Safety Code is not, thereby, engaged in commercial cannabis activity and is, therefore, exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter.
26054.(a)The division shall, as soon as practicable following January 1, 2016, allow a qualified applicant for license licensure to apply for and receive a provisional licensed license to engage in commercial cannabis activity so as to ensure an adequate supply of medical cannabis upon full implementation of this chapter.
(b)The division shall establish appropriate fees not to exceed ____ dollars ($____) for the issuance of a provisional license pursuant to this chapter.
(c)The division shall accept applications for provisional commercial licenses for medical cannabis activity as follows:
(1)The division shall request that every city or county provide the division with a list of approved entities providing medical cannabis to qualified patients and caregivers within the city or countys jurisdiction, if any, the location at which the entity is operating, and the names of the persons who operate the entity. If the jurisdiction represents that the entity has been operating in compliance with local laws and regulations, or has limited immunity under local laws, including, but not limited to, Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election, the division shall issue a provisional license to the entity until the time that the entitys application for mandatory commercial license licensure has been approved or denied under this chapter, but no later than 90 days after the division begins accepting applications for mandatory commercial licensure.
(2)The division shall issue a provisional license to individuals and entities that the division determines were, during the 12 months prior to January 1, 2016, regularly cultivating, processing, manufacturing, transporting, or distributing medical cannabis collectively or cooperatively in full compliance with paragraphs A and B of Section IV of the Guidelines for Security and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical Use, issued by the Department of Justice in August 2008, and any applicable local ordinance, to continue to do so until the licensees application for mandatory commercial licensure has been approved or denied under this chapter, but no later than 90 days after the division begins accepting applications for regular mandatory commercial licenses. The division may consult with relevant local agencies in making a determination on whether a provisional license applicant is in compliance with any applicable ordinance.
(d)To qualify for a provisional mandatory commercial license, applicants shall disclose to the division all of the following information in writing:
(1)The names, addresses, and dates of birth of each principal officer, owner, or board member.
(2)The common street address and assessors parcel number of the property at which the licensee conducts any activity under the authority of the licensee.
(3)The common street address and assessors parcel number of the property at which any cultivation activity was or is to be conducted.
(4)For the 12 months prior to January 1, 2016, the quantity of cannabis cultivated, processed, manufactured, tested, transported, or sold at a location and the quantity expected to be cultivated, processed, manufactured, tested, transported, or sold from January 1, 2016, to July 1, 2016, inclusive. The licensee shall make its records of current activity and activity for the 12 months prior to January 1, 2016, available to the division upon request.
(e)Upon receipt of the application materials and fee, the division may issue a provisional license and send a proof of issuance to the applicant, if the applicant has not committed any act or crime constituting grounds for the denial of licensure.
(f)Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the division shall not issue a provisional license to any an individual or entity, or for any a premises, against whom there are pending state or local administrative or judicial proceedings or actions initiated by a city, county, or city and county under any applicable local ordinance or who has been determined through those proceedings to have violated any local ordinance related to marijuana cannabis activity, or that knowingly provides false or fraudulent information on an application for licensure.
(g)Entities that are provided immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election, shall be considered the equivalent of entities that are registered, permitted, or licensed as a medical marijuana business, dispensary, or other entity involved in providing medical marijuana to patients under a local ordinance and shall be considered in compliance with a local ordinance for the purposes of the implementation of this section.
(h)Provisional licensees shall comply with all standards and requirements applicable to a licensee under this chapter, including, but not limited to, the production, recordkeeping, security, and transportation requirements and standards.
26055.(a)The division may adopt regulations to permit the transfer of a license from a licensee to another person who demonstrates to the division that he or she is eligible for licensure under this chapter, if all of the following requirements are met:
(b)
(a)The division has determined that granting an additional license of the type in question in the geographic region in question may lead to the availability of product in excess of the amounts needed to meet the medical need.
(c)
(b)The prospective recipient of the license complies with all of the requirements of this chapter relating to a new application for licensure, including, but not limited to, payment to the division of a reasonable license transfer fee.
26057.The division shall make recommendations to the Legislature pertaining to the establishment of an appeals and judicial review process for persons aggrieved by a final decision of the division.
4.Enforcement26060.(a)The division shall work in conjunction with law enforcement agencies for the purposes of implementing, administering, and enforcing this chapter and the divisions regulations and taking appropriate action against licensees and others who fail to comply with this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(b)Nothing in this chapter or in Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) or Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, shall prevent a city, county, or city and county from adopting or enforcing a zoning ordinance or other law, ordinance, or regulation that regulates the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or other person that engages in commercial cannabis activity.
26062.Except for a person identified in Section 26052, a person shall not exercise the privilege or perform any act that a licensee may exercise or perform under the authority of a license unless the person is acting pursuant to a license, including, but not limited to, a provisional license, license issued pursuant to this chapter.
26063.(a)Any product containing cannabis that is distributed, distributed or offered for sale by a licensee shall comply with the testing, labeling, and food safety requirements established pursuant to this chapter.
(b)No person shall steal or fraudulently use a licensees identification certificate, or license certificate or license, or other licensees identification card or license issued by the division division, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, test, transport, produce, possess for sale, sell, or distribute cannabis.
(c)No person shall counterfeit, tamper with, or fraudulently produce an identification card or license status.
(d)Any person who violates this section, or Section 26062, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to the following penalties:
(1)For the first offense, imprisonment in a county jail for no more than ____months or a fine not to exceed ____dollars ($____), or both.
(2)For a second or subsequent offense, imprisonment in a county jail for no more than ____ or a fine not to exceed ____ dollars ($____), or both.
(e)Any person who is charged, prosecuted, or subjected to a civil penalty under this chapter shall not also be charged or prosecuted pursuant to the Health and Safety Code for conduct arising from the same set of facts.
26064.Any person engaging in commercial cannabis activity and operating an unlicensed facility, building, structure, vehicle, mobile unit, or location where cannabis is being commercially cultivated, processed, manufactured, tested, or possessed for sale in violation of this chapter shall be subject to civil penalties of up to ____ dollars ($____) for each violation, and the division or court may order the destruction of any cannabis associated with that violation. All civil fines collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the fines and penalties account established pursuant to Section 26028. If an action for civil penalties is brought by the Attorney General, the penalty collected shall be deposited into the General Fund pursuant to Section 26028. If the action is brought by a district attorney or county counsel, the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered. If the action is brought by a city attorney or city prosecutor, the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the city in which the judgment was entered.
26066.(a)The director or any district attorney, county counsel, city attorney, or city prosecutor may bring an action in the name of the people of the State of California to enjoin a violation or the threatened violation of any provision of this chapter, including, but not limited to, a licensees failure to correct objectionable conditions following notice or as a result of any rule promulgated pursuant to this chapter, and to assess and recover civil penalties in accordance with this chapter. The action shall be brought in the county in which the violation occurred or is threatened to occur. Any proceeding for injunctive relief brought pursuant to this chapter shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(b)A state or local law enforcement agency shall immediately notify the division of any violations or arrests made for violations over which the division has jurisdiction which involve a licensee or licensed premises. Notice shall be given within 10 days of the violation or arrest. The division shall promptly cause an investigation to be made as to whether grounds exist for suspension or revocation of the license.
(c)This chapter shall not be construed to limit a law enforcement agencys ability to investigate unlawful activity in relation to a mandatory commercial licensee.
(d)The division shall keep a complete record of all entities licensed pursuant to this chapter. This record shall be made available on the divisions Internet Web site so as to permit state and local law enforcement to verify a mandatory commercial license.
(e)The department shall authorize the city, county, or city and county, county to impose a temporary local suspension of the license of a commercial licensee for up to 30 days for violations of this chapter. The department shall promptly cause an investigation to be made as to whether grounds exist for continued suspension or revocation of the license.
5.Transportation of Medical Cannabis26100.A licensed transporter shall transport medical cannabis and medical cannabis products only between licensed facilities.
26102.(a)Prior to transporting medical cannabis products, a licensed transporter shall do both of the following:
(1)Complete an electronic shipping manifest as prescribed by the division.
(2)Securely transmit the manifest to the division and the licensee that will receive the medical cannabis product.
(b)During transportation, the licensed transporter shall maintain a physical copy of the shipping manifest and make it available upon request to agents of the division, local law enforcement officers, or any other designate designated enforcement agency.
(c)The licensee receiving the shipment shall maintain each electronic shipping manifest and shall make it available upon request to agents of the division, local law enforcement officers, or any other designate designated enforcement agency.
(d)Upon receipt of the shipment, a licensed facility shall submit to the division a record verifying receipt of the shipment and the details of the shipment.
26104.(a)Transported medical cannabis products shall be transported only in a storage compartment that is securely affixed to the interior of the transporting vehicle, and shall not be visible from outside the vehicle.
(b)A vehicle transporting medical cannabis products shall travel only directly between licensed facilities.
(c)All transport vehicles shall be staffed with a minimum of two employees. At least one transport member shall remain with the vehicle at all times when the vehicle contains medical cannabis.
(d)Each transport team member shall possess documentation of licensing and a government-issued identification card at all times when transporting or delivering medical marijuana cannabis and shall produce it upon the request of agents of the division or any law enforcement officials.
26105.(a)The division shall develop a database containing the electronic shipping manifests, which shall include, but are not limited to, the following information:
(1)The quantity, or weight, and variety of products shipped.
(2)The estimated times of departure and arrival.
(3)The quantity or weight, and variety of products received.
(4)The actual time of arrival.
(5)A categorization of the product.
(b)The database shall be designed to flag irregularities for the division to investigate. The division may, at any time, inspect shipments and request documentation for current inventory.
26107.(a)This chapter shall not be construed to authorize or permit any licensee to transport, or cause to be transported, cannabis or cannabis products outside the state, unless authorized by federal law.
(b)A local jurisdiction shall not prevent transportation of medical cannabis by a licensed transporter who acts in compliance with this chapter.
6.Cannabis Employee Certification and Apprenticeship Program for Cultivation Sites and Dispensaries 26140.(a)The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall do all of the following:
(1)Maintain minimum standards for the competency and training of employees of a licensed cultivation site or a licensed dispensing facility, licensed pursuant to this chapter.
(2)Maintain an advisory committee and panels as necessary to carry out its functions under this section. There shall be employer representation on the committee and panels.
(3)Establish and collect certification fees not to exceed the reasonable cost to the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement in issuing certifications.
(4)Adopt regulations necessary to implement this article.
(5)Issue certification cards to employees who have been certified pursuant to this article.
(6)Maintain a cannabis certification curriculum committee made up of representatives of the State Department of Education, the California Community Colleges, and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. The committee shall do all of the following:
(A)Establish written educational curriculum standards for enrollees in training programs. Curriculum shall include appropriate standards for the sale, processing, and cultivation of medical marijuana including standards for dispensing, growing, harvesting, packaging, labeling, preparing, transporting, delivering, testing, storage, and preventing diversion of medical marijuana and related products, including edible medical marijuana products.
(B)If an educational providers curriculum meets the written educational curriculum standards established in accordance with subparagraph (A), designate that curriculum as an approved curriculum of classroom instruction.
(C)At the committees discretion, review the approved curriculum of classroom instruction of any designated educational provider. The committee may withdraw its approval of the curriculum if the educational provider does not continue to meet the established written educational curriculum standards.
(D)Require each designated educational provider to submit an annual notice to the committee stating whether the educational provider is continuing to offer the approved curriculum of classroom instruction and whether material changes have been made to the curriculum since its approval.
(b)There shall be no discrimination in favor of, or against, a person based on membership or nonmembership in a union.
(c)For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:
(1)Cannabis employee means an employee of a licensee working at a licensed facility under this chapter.
(2)Committee means the cannabis curriculum certification committee established pursuant to this article.
26140.This article applies only to cultivation sites and dispensaries.
26140.5.The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall do all of the following:
(a)Maintain minimum standards for the competency and training of employees of a licensed cultivator or dispensary through a system of testing and certification.
(b)Maintain an advisory committee and panels as necessary to carry out its functions under this article. There shall be employer representation on the committee and panels.
(c)Adopt regulations as determined to be necessary to implement this article.
(d)Issue certification cards to employees certified pursuant to this article.
(e)Establish registration fees in an amount reasonably necessary to implement this article, not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for the initial registration. There shall be no fee for annual renewal of registration. Fees shall be placed in the fund.
26141.(a)Except Commencing January 1, 2019, except as provided in subdivision (c), persons who perform work as cannabis employees shall be certified by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
(b)Individuals Commencing January 1, 2019, individuals desiring to be certified shall submit an application for certification and examination that includes an employment history report from the Social Security Administration. The individual may redact his or her social security number from the employment history report before it is submitted. examination.
(c)(1)Certification is not required for registered apprentices working as cannabis employees as part of an apprenticeship program approved on or after January 1, 2019, under a federal Office of Apprenticeship program or a state state-approved apprenticeship program authorized by the federal Office of Apprenticeship. program. An apprentice who is within one year of completion of his or her term of apprenticeship shall be permitted to take the certification examination and, upon passing the examination, shall be certified immediately upon completion of the term of apprenticeship.
(2)Certification is not required for any person employed pursuant to Section 26143.
(2)On or after January 1, 2019, an uncertified person may perform work for which certification is otherwise required in order to acquire the necessary on-the-job experience for certification provided that the person shall be under the direct supervision of a cannabis employee certified pursuant to Section 26141 who is responsible for supervising no more than one uncertified person.
(3)The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement may develop additional criteria governing this subdivision.
(d)
26141.5.(a)The following shall constitute additional grounds for disciplinary proceedings, including suspension or revocation of the conditional license issued pursuant to this chapter:
(1)The licensed cultivation site or licensed dispensing facility licensee willfully employs one or more uncertified persons to perform work as cannabis employees in violation of this section or Section 26143. section.
(2)The licensed cultivation site or licensed dispensing facility licensee willfully fails to provide adequate supervision of uncertified workers required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 26143. workers.
(3)The licensed cultivation site or licensed dispensing facility licensee willfully fails to provide adequate supervision of apprentices performing work pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c). (c) of Section 26141.
(e)
(b)The Labor Commissioner shall maintain a process for referring cases to the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement when it has been determined that a violation of this section has likely occurred. The Labor Commissioner shall have a memorandum of understanding with the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement in furtherance of this section.
(f)
(c)Upon receipt of a referral by the Labor Commissioner alleging a violation under this section, the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement shall open an investigation. Disciplinary action against the licensee shall be initiated within 60 days of the receipt of the referral. The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement may initiate disciplinary action against a licensee upon his or her own investigation, the filing of a complaint, or a finding that results from a referral from the Labor Commissioner alleging a violation under this section. Failure of the employer or employee to provide evidence of certification or apprentice status shall create a rebuttable presumption of violation of this provision.
(d)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2019.
26142.The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall do all of the following:
(a)Make information about cannabis employee certification available in languages other than English to the extent the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement finds appropriate.
(b)Provide for the administration of certification tests in Spanish and, to the extent practicable, other languages spoken by a substantial number of applicants, except when the ability to understand warning signs, instructions, and certain other information in English is necessary for safety, cultivation, and dispensing.
(c)Ensure, in conjunction with the California Apprenticeship Council, that all cannabis apprenticeship programs that impose minimum formal education requirements as a condition of entry provide for reasonable alternative means of satisfying those requirements.
(d)Ensure, in conjunction with the California Apprenticeship Council, that all cannabis apprenticeship programs have adopted reasonable procedures for granting credit toward a term of apprenticeship for other vocational training and on-the-job training experience.
26143.(a)An uncertified person may perform work for which certification is otherwise required in order to acquire the necessary on-the-job experience for certification if all of the following requirements are met:
(1)The person is registered with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. A list of current registrants shall be maintained by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and made available to the public upon request.
(2)The person either has completed or is enrolled in an approved curriculum of classroom instruction.
(3)The employer attests that the person shall be under the direct supervision of a cannabis employee certified pursuant to Section 26140 who is responsible for supervising no more than one uncertified person. An employer who is found by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to have failed to provide adequate supervision may be barred from employing uncertified individuals in the future.
(b)For purposes of this section, an approved curriculum of classroom instruction means a curriculum of classroom instruction approved by the committee and provided under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Education, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, or the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education.
(c)The committee may grant approval to an educational provider that presently offers only a partial curriculum if the educational provider intends in the future to offer, or to cooperate with other educational providers to offer, a complete curriculum for the type of certification involved. The committee may require an educational provider receiving approval for a partial curriculum to periodically renew its approval with the committee until a complete curriculum is offered and approved.
(d)An educational provider that receives approval for a partial curriculum shall disclose in all communications to students and to the public that the educational provider has only received approval for a partial curriculum and shall not make any representations that the provider offers a complete approved curriculum of classroom instruction.
(e)For purposes of this section, a person is enrolled in an approved curriculum of classroom instruction if the person is attending classes on a full-time or part-time basis toward the completion of an approved curriculum.
(f)Registration under this section shall be renewed annually and the registrant shall provide to the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement certification of the classwork completed and on-the-job experience acquired since the prior registration.
(g)For purposes of verifying the information provided by a person registered with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, an educational provider shall provide an approved curriculum of classroom instruction, and shall, upon the Division of Labor Standards Enforcements request, provide the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement with information regarding the enrollment status and instruction completed by an individual registered. By registering with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement in accordance with this section, the individual consents to the release of this information.
(h)The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall establish registration fees in an amount reasonably necessary to implement this section, not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for the initial registration. There shall be no fee for annual renewal of registration. Fees shall be deposited into the Medical Cannabis Control Fund established pursuant to Section 26028 for reimbursement of the costs of the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement in administering this article.
(i)Notwithstanding any other law, an uncertified person who has completed an approved curriculum of classroom instruction and is currently registered with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement may take the certification examination. The person shall be certified upon passing the examination and satisfactorily completing the requisite number of on-the-job hours required for certification. A person who passes the examination prior to completing the requisite hours of on-the-job experience shall continue to comply with subdivision (f).
SEC. 6.Section 23028 is added to the Government Code, to read:23028.(a)(1)In addition to any authority otherwise provided by law, the board of supervisors of any county may impose, by ordinance, a tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, producing, processing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling, or distributing marijuana cannabis by a licensee operating pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code). The tax may be imposed for general governmental purposes or for purposes specified in the ordinance by the board of supervisors.
(2)The board of supervisors shall specify in the ordinance proposing the tax the activities subject to the tax, the applicable rate or rates, the method of apportionment, and the manner of collection of the tax. A tax imposed pursuant to this section is a tax and not a fee or special assessment, and the tax is not required to be apportioned on the basis of benefit to any person or property or be applied uniformly to all taxpayers or all real property.
(3)A tax imposed by a county pursuant to this section by a county may include a transactions and use tax imposed solely for marijuana cannabis or marijuana cannabis products, which shall otherwise conform to Part 1.6 (commencing with Section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. Notwithstanding Section 7251.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, the tax may be imposed at any rate specified by the board of supervisors, and the tax rate authorized by this section shall not be considered for purposes of the combined tax rate limitation established by that section.
(4)The tax authorized by this section may be imposed upon any or all of the activities set forth in paragraph (1), regardless of whether the activity is undertaken individually, collectively, or cooperatively, and regardless of whether the activity is for compensation or gratuitously, as determined by the board of supervisors.
(5)The board of supervisors shall specify whether the tax applies throughout the entire county or within the unincorporated area of the county.
(b)In addition to any other method of collection authorized by law, the board of supervisors may provide for the collection of the tax imposed pursuant to this section in the same manner, and subject to the same penalties and priority of lien, as other charges and taxes fixed and collected by the county.
(c)Any tax imposed pursuant to this section shall be subject to applicable voter approval requirements imposed by any other law.
(d)For purposes of this section, marijuana shall have the meanings set forth in Section 26002 of the Business and Professions Code.
(e)This section does not limit or prohibit the levy or collection or any other fee, charge, or tax, or any license or service fee or charge upon, or related to, the activities set forth in subdivision (a) as otherwise provided by law. This section shall not be construed as a limitation upon the taxing authority of any county as provided by other law.
(f)The total taxation of state and local authorities shall not be in excess of 25 percent of retail prices.
SEC. 7.Section 11362.775 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:11362.775.(a)Qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and the designated primary caregivers of qualified patients and persons with identification cards, who associate within the State of California in order collectively or cooperatively to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, shall not solely on the basis of that fact be subject to state criminal sanctions under Section 11357, 11358, 11359, 11360, 11366, 11366.5, or 11570.
(b)Commencing 180 days following the issuance of provisional licenses pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code), subdivision (a) shall not apply to licensees under that act. The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement shall post a notice on its Internet Web site indicating when it has commenced issuing provisional licenses and when the 180 day 180-day period has been exhausted.
SEC. 8.Section 1155.7 of the Labor Code is amended to read:1155.7.(a)Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to apply or be applicable to a labor organization in its representation of workers who are not agricultural employees. Any such labor organization shall continue to be governed in its intrastate activities for nonagricultural workers by Section 923 and applicable judicial precedents.
(b)To the extent not prohibited by law and for purposes of this chapter, agricultural employer includes a medical cannabis cultivation site licensed pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code).
SEC. 9.Section 1158.5 is added to the Labor Code, to read:1158.5.(a)The Division of Occupational Safety and Health in the Department of Industrial Relations shall develop industry-specific regulations related to the activities of facilities issued a medical cannabis license pursuant to Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code), including provisions for the establishment of labor peace agreements and an apprenticeship program to ensure professional standards among industry employees.
(b)The regulations shall govern agreements between a facility issued a conditional license and a bona fide labor organization prohibiting labor organizations and members from engaging in picketing, work stoppages, boycotts, and other economic interference with the licensees business. The regulations shall also govern agreements whereby the licensee has agreed not to disrupt efforts by the bona fide labor organization to communicate with, and attempt to organize and represent, the licensees employees.
SEC. 8.Section 147.5 is added to the Labor Code, to read:147.5.(a)By January 1, 2017, the division shall convene an advisory committee to evaluate whether there is a need to develop industry-specific regulations related to the activities of facilities issued a license pursuant to Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code.
(b)By July 1, 2017, the advisory committee shall present to the board its findings and recommendations for consideration by the board. By July 1, 2017, the board shall render a decision regarding the adoption of industry-specific regulations pursuant to this section.
SEC. 10.SEC. 9.Section 3094 is added to the Labor Code, to read:3094.The Division of Apprenticeship Standards shall investigate, approve, or reject applications for apprenticeship programs for employees of a licensee pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 subject to Article 6 (commencing with Section 26140) of Chapter 18 of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code). Code. The Division of Apprenticeship Standards shall adopt regulations necessary to implement and regulate the establishment of the apprenticeship programs described in this section.
SEC. 11.SEC. 10.The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
SEC. 12.The Legislature finds and declares that Section 5 of this act imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to documents in the possession of a public agency within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following finding to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:
It is necessary to maintain the confidentiality of patient and physician information provided to the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement in order to protect the private medical information of patients who use medical cannabis and to preserve the essential confidentiality of the physician and patient relationship.
SEC. 11.The Legislature finds and declares that Section 5 of this act, which adds Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) to Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code, imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:
It is necessary to maintain the confidentiality of patient and physician information provided to the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement in order to protect the private medical information of patients who use medical cannabis and to preserve the essential confidentiality of the physician and patient relationship.
SEC. 13.SEC. 12.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The people of California enacted the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 to ensure that seriously ill Californians have access to marijuana for medical purposes. The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 urged the state and federal governments to implement a plan to provide for the safe and affordable distribution of medical marijuana to all patients in medical need of the drug.
(b)Under federal law, marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug. Its placement in that schedule is based upon a finding that marijuana has no currently accepted medical use. That finding, if correct at the time it was made, is no longer accurate. California, exercising its traditional power to regulate the practice of medicine, has determined that marijuana has a significant role to play.
(c)California, acting alone, is powerless to change federal law and to correct this misunderstanding in federal law about the role that marijuana can and does play in the practice of medicine. However, federal enforcement authorities have recognized that in states that have authorized marijuana use and have enacted strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems to control the cultivation, distribution, sale, and possession of marijuana, conduct in compliance with those regulatory and enforcement systems is less likely to threaten federal priorities and, thus, less likely to require federal enforcement intervention (See: Memorandum For All United States AttorneysGuidance Regarding Marijuana Enforcement, by James M. Cole, Deputy Attorney General, August 29, 2013).
(d)The purpose of this act is to establish for California a robust medical cannabis regulatory and enforcement system to ensure that conduct in compliance with Californias medical marijuana laws does not threaten the federal priorities as set forth in the James M. Cole memorandum, and therefore, does not require federal enforcement intervention.
SEC. 2.Section 2220.05 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2220.05.(a)In order to ensure that its resources are maximized for the protection of the public, the Medical Board of California shall prioritize its investigative and prosecutorial resources to ensure that physicians and surgeons representing the greatest threat of harm are identified and disciplined expeditiously. Cases involving any of the following allegations shall be handled on a priority basis, as follows, with the highest priority being given to cases in the first paragraph:
(1)Gross negligence, incompetence, or repeated negligent acts that involve death or serious bodily injury to one or more patients, such that the physician and surgeon represents a danger to the public.
(2)Drug or alcohol abuse by a physician and surgeon involving death or serious bodily injury to a patient.
(3)Repeated acts of clearly excessive prescribing, furnishing, or administering of controlled substances, or repeated acts of prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing of controlled substances substances, or recommending marijuana to patients for medical purposes, without a good faith prior examination of the patient and medical reason therefor. However, in no event shall a physician and surgeon prescribing, furnishing, or administering controlled substances for intractable pain consistent with lawful prescribing, including, but not limited to, Sections 725, 2241.5, and 2241.6 of this code and Sections 11159.2 and 124961 of the Health and Safety Code, be prosecuted for excessive prescribing and prompt review of the applicability of these provisions shall be made in any complaint that may implicate these provisions.
(4)Sexual misconduct with one or more patients during a course of treatment or an examination.
(5)Practicing medicine while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
(b)The board may by regulation prioritize cases involving an allegation of conduct that is not described in subdivision (a). Those cases prioritized by regulation shall not be assigned a priority equal to or higher than the priorities established in subdivision (a).
(c)The Medical Board of California shall indicate in its annual report mandated by Section 2312 the number of temporary restraining orders, interim suspension orders, and disciplinary actions that are taken in each priority category specified in subdivisions (a) and (b).
SEC. 3.Section 2242 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2242.(a)Prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing dangerous drugs as defined in Section 4022 without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication, constitutes unprofessional conduct. Prescribing or recommending marijuana to a patient for a medical purpose without an appropriate in-person prior examination and a medical indication, or recommending marijuana for a nonmedical purpose, constitutes unprofessional conduct.
(b)No licensee shall be found to have committed unprofessional conduct within the meaning of this section if, at the time the drugs were prescribed, dispensed, or furnished, any of the following applies:
(1)The licensee was a designated physician and surgeon or podiatrist serving in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be, and if the drugs were prescribed, dispensed, or furnished only as necessary to maintain the patient until the return of his or her practitioner, but in any case no longer than 72 hours.
(2)The licensee transmitted the order for the drugs to a registered nurse or to a licensed vocational nurse in an inpatient facility, and if both of the following conditions exist:
(A)The practitioner had consulted with the registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse who had reviewed the patients records.
(B)The practitioner was designated as the practitioner to serve in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be.
(3)The licensee was a designated practitioner serving in the absence of the patients physician and surgeon or podiatrist, as the case may be, and was in possession of or had utilized the patients records and ordered the renewal of a medically indicated prescription for an amount not exceeding the original prescription in strength or amount or for more than one refill.
(4)The licensee was acting in accordance with Section 120582 of the Health and Safety Code.
SEC. 4.Section 2264 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2264.The employing, directly or indirectly, the aiding, or the abetting of any unlicensed person or any suspended, revoked, or unlicensed practitioner to engage in the practice of medicine or any other mode of treating the sick or afflicted which requires a license to practice constitutes unprofessional conduct. Employment by, or other agreement with, a mandatory commercial licensee acting pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act or a dispensary to provide recommendations for medical marijuana constitutes unprofessional conduct.
SEC. 5.Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) is added to Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code, to read:18.Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control1.General Provisions26000.(a)This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act.
(b)It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to provide for the statewide regulation of the commercial cannabis activity and the enforcement of laws relating to commercial cannabis activities. This chapter is an exercise of the police powers of the state for the protection of the safety, welfare, health, peace, and morals of the people of the state.
26001.Without limiting the authority of a city or county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, or any other provision of law, and subject to that authority, the state shall have the exclusive right and power to regulate and license persons for the cultivation, manufacture, transportation, sale, and other related activities regarding medical cannabis within the state. In the exercise of these rights and powers, the state and each of its agencies are hereby deemed not to be engaged in activities requiring licensure under this chapter.
26002.For the purpose of this chapter:
(a)Department means the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
(b)Director means the Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, unless the context otherwise clearly indicates.
(c)Division means the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the department.
(d)Cannabis means all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, or cannabis ruderalis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin, whether crude or purified, extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin. It does not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant which is incapable of germination. Cannabis also means marijuana as defined by Section 11018 of the Health and Safety Code as enacted by Chapter 1407 of the Statutes of 1972.
(e)Commercial cannabis activity means any cultivation, possession, manufacture, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, distribution, or sale of cannabis or cannabis product, except as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 26052.
(f)Medical cannabis product, medical marijuana product or cannabis product means any product containing cannabis, including, but not limited to concentrates and extractions intended to be sold for use by medical marijuana patients in California pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Proposition 215).
(g)Manufactured cannabis means raw marijuana that has undergone a process whereby the raw agricultural product has been transformed into a concentrate, an edible product, or a topical product.
(h)Cannabis concentrate means manufactured cannabis that has undergone a process to concentrate the THC, active ingredient, thereby increasing the products potency.
(i)Terahydrocannabinol or THC means a crystalline compound that is the physiologically active ingredient of cannabis.
(j)Edible cannabis product means manufactured cannabis that is intended to be used, in whole or in part, for human consumption, including, but not limited to, chewing gum.
(k)Topical cannabis means manufactured product intended for external use.
(l)Identification program means the universal identification certificate program for licensees.
(m)Mandatory commercial license or license means a mandatory commercial license issued pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 26040).
(n)licensee means any person licensed under this chapter to engage in commercial cannabis activity related to medical cannabis as set forth in this chapter.
(o)Dispensary means a licensee that dispenses cannabis or medical cannabis products.
(p)Testing and labeling means a labeling and quality assurance plan that addresses all of the following:
(1)Potency.
(2)Chemical residue.
(3)Microbiological contaminants.
(4)Handling, care, and storage.
(5)Date and location of cultivation, processing, and manufacturing.
(q)Fund means the Medical Cannabis Control Fund established pursuant to Section 26028.
(r)Person means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation, limited liability company, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, syndicate, or any other group or combination acting as a unit and includes the plural as well as the singular number.
26010.This chapter does not, nor does Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) and Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, prevent a city or county from doing any of the following:
(a)Adopting local ordinances consistent with this chapter that regulate the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or any person that cultivates, processes, possesses, stores, manufactures, tests, transports, distributes, or sells medical cannabis.
(b)The civil or criminal enforcement of the ordinances described in subdivision (a).
(c)Establishing a fee or tax for the operation of a licensee within its jurisdiction.
(d)Enacting and enforcing other laws or ordinances pursuant to the authority granted by Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
2.Administration26020.(a)The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement is hereby established within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The division shall be administered by a person who is appointed by the director. The division shall administer this chapter.
(b)No person shall engage in commercial cannabis activity unless licensed by the division under this chapter. The division shall issue licenses to applicants to engage in commercial cannabis activity pursuant to this chapter.
(c)The division shall adopt regulations as needed to implement that licensing program as set forth in Article 3 (commencing with Section 26040). The regulations shall, in addition, do all of the following:
(1)Establish a scale of application, licensing, and renewal fees, based upon the cost of enforcing this chapter, as follows:
(A)The division shall charge each applicant for licensure or renewal an application or renewal fee that shall be calculated to cover the costs of processing the application or renewal. This fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with approving the application or renewal related to the varying activities covered by the license, but shall not exceed ___dollars ($____) for a initial application, and ____dollars ($____) for a renewal application.
(B)Upon the issuance of a license, the division shall charge each licensee a licensure fee. The licensure fee shall be calculated to cover the costs of administering this chapter, other than the costs of processing applications. The licensure fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with administering the various regulatory requirements of this chapter as they relate to the nature and scope of the different licensure activities, but shall not be less than ____ dollars ($____), nor more than ____ dollars ($____).
(C)The total fees assessed pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, provisional license fees set forth in Section 26054, shall be set in at an amount that will fairly and proportionately generate sufficient total revenue to fully cover the total costs of administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, costs set forth in Section 26023.
(2)Establish procedures for approval or denial of applications for licensure for each and every aspect of commercial cannabis activity, including, but not limited to, cultivation, possession, manufacture, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, distribution, and sale of cannabis.
(3)Establish applicant qualifications.
(4)Establish licensee employee qualifications, including, but not limited to, training and screening requirements.
(5)Establish licensee security requirements, including, but not limited to, procedures to limit access to facilities and to prevent diversion of product to nonmedical use.
(6)Establish procedures and protocols for identifying, managing, and disposing of contaminated, adulterated, deteriorated or excess product.
(7)Establish advertising, marketing, signage, and labeling requirements and restrictions.
(8)Establish procedures for the suspension, revocation, or surrender of a license and establishing related fines and penalties to be assessed against licensees for violations of this chapter.
(9)Establish procedures for the oversight of the fund established pursuant to Section 26028.
26021.(a)The division, in consultation with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, shall adopt regulations establishing worker safety standards in cultivation sites, manufacturing facilities, and retail dispensary sites.
(b)The division, in consultation with the Department of Water Resources, shall adopt regulations to ensure that commercial cannabis activity licensed pursuant to this chapter does not threaten the states clean water and environment and is otherwise in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000)) of the Public Resources Code).
(c)The division, on consultation with the Department of Food and Agriculture, shall adopt regulations ensuring that the cultivation of cannabis under this chapter is in compliance with all requirements applicable to the production of a food crop, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Regulations regarding the verification of cannabis stock for the purposes of cultivation.
(2)Cultivation protocols ensuring the quality, abundance, and safety of the cannabis crop, including both indoor and outdoor cultivation standards and regulations regarding carbon offsets for indoor cultivation.
(3)Environmentally sound agricultural practices, including all of the following:
(A)A requirement that any environmental damage be addressed by the relevant state agency, including but not limited to, the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, the Department of Justice, CalFire.
(B)A provision authorizing revocation of a licensee if the state determines that the conduct of the licensee has inflicted significant damage to the environment.
(C)Standards controlling the application of pesticides. These standards shall, at a minimum, require that if pesticides are to be used, the use comply with standards analogous to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) of the Food and Agricultural Code and its implementing regulations.
26021.5.(a)State agencies shall collaborate with local agencies, and local agencies shall, within the scope of their jurisdiction, assist state agencies in the enforcement of this chapter.
(b)No marijuana shall be cultivated on public lands pursuant to this chapter.
26022.The division, in consultation with the State Department of Public Health, shall adopt regulations to do all of the following:
(a)Establish labeling and packaging standards and requirements, including, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)Cultivation labeling requirements requiring labeling to include, at a minimum, THC levels, cannabinoid profile, and active ingredients.
(2)Edible cannabis product labeling and packaging standards, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)A requirement that the label include the manufacturing date, the active ingredients, net weight, cannabinoid profile, nutritional facts, dosage in total milligrams of THC delivered, and any potential allergens.
(B)A requirement that the label include the warnings: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN, and FOR MEDICAL USE ONLY.
(C)A requirement that packaging contain a clear indication in bold font that the package contains medical cannabis, and that the package not be designed in a manner that attracts minors.
(D)Standards for labeling food that clearly distinguish edible cannabis products from non-cannabis products.
(b)Establishing consumer protection, food and product safety requirements, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Adverse event reporting and product recall systems that include batch, lot, or control number tracking, the requirement that employees who manufacture or otherwise handle edible medical marijuana products thoroughly wash their hands before commencing production and before handling finished edible medical marijuana products.
(2)Standards for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) dosage in edible products.
(3)Sanitation standards analogous to the California Retail Food Code (Part 7 (commencing with Section 113700) of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code) for food preparation, storage, handling, and sale of medical cannabis products.
(4)A requirement that edible medical cannabis products be limited to foods that are nonpotentially hazardous food as set forth in Section 114365.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(5)A requirement that facilities in which edible medical cannabis products are prepared shall be constructed in accordance with building standards and health and safety standards applicable to a food production facility, including the requirement that edible products distributed or sold by dispensaries not be produced or stored in private homes.
(6)Weighing or measuring standards, including, but not limited to the requirement that devices used in connection with the sale or distribution of cannabis meet standards analogous to Division 5 (commencing with Section 12001) of the Business and Professions Code.
(7)Standards controlling the application of pesticides. These standards shall, at a minimum, require that if pesticides are to be used, the use comply with standards analogous to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) of the Food and Agricultural Code and its implementing regulations.
(8)A requirement that all edible medical marijuana products shall individually wrapped at the original point of preparation.
(c)Establishing testing requirements for all medical cannabis products, including edible cannabis products and those used, or intended for use, via inhalation, including, but not limited to:
(1)Testing for the active cannibinoid profile, constituent elements, and microbiological, bacterial, pathogenic yeast and mold counts.
(2)Testing standards by which to test and measure the potency of medical marijuana products. The division shall also determine maximum standards in the potency of medical marijuana products.
(3)A requirement that local county public health departments conduct product safety testing annually to ensure the quality of the cannabis product.
(4)A requirement that quality assurance tests be conducted at a testing laboratory certified by the State Department of Public Health.
(5)A requirement for random quality assurance testing by certified testing laboratories. Testing laboratories are exempt from licensure under this chapter. A testing laboratory shall not receive medical cannabis products except through the division or a medical cannabis licensee. Individual medical patients may deliver samples for testing with a licensee. The licensee shall verify the patients medical recommendation and may then transfer the sample to a certified laboratory for testing.
26023.The regulations shall set forth the inspection and enforcement responsibilities of the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Department of Water Resources, the State Department of Public Health, and the Department of Food and Agriculture associated with this chapter.
26023.5.(a)Without limiting the authority of a city or a county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution or any other law, the division shall adopt regulations regarding the minimum standards for the operation of dispensaries. The regulations shall establish all of the following:
(1)Standards for labeling of products, including the name of the mandatory commercial licensee from which the product was obtained, and a requirement that dispensaries provide patients with detailed written information about the contents of the cannabis and medical cannabis products they obtain.
(2)Requirements for inventory control and reporting that require all dispensaries to be able to demonstrate the present location, amounts, and descriptions of all medical cannabis products from the time of delivery to the dispensary until purchase by a qualified patient or primary caregiver.
(3)Minimum educational and testing requirements for licensee staff, including, but not limited to, background checks and a requirement that every dispensary maintain dedicated, licensed security staff both inside and outside the dispensary.
(4)Minimum standards governing signage and advertising for dispensaries.
(b)Commencing 180 days after the division begins issuing provisional licenses, a dispensary shall provide patients medical marijuana and medical marijuana products obtained only from persons licensed under this chapter.
(c)Out-of-state medical cannabis patients with current, valid verification that they are allowed to receive medical cannabis treatment within their home state may receive medical cannabis treatment, including the ability to purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries within this state upon verification of the documents by the dispensary, pursuant to protocols established by the division.
26024.(a)The division may assist state taxation authorities in the development of uniform policies for the state taxation of mandatory commercial licensees.
(b)The division shall assist the Division of Occupational Safety and Health in the Department of Industrial Relations in the development of industry-specific regulations related to commercial medical cannabis activities.
26028.(a)The Medical Cannabis Control Fund is hereby established within the State Treasury. Notwithstanding Section 16305.7 of the Government Code, the fund shall include any interest and dividends earned on the money in the fund.
(b)All fees collected pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited into the fees account, which is hereby established within the fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys within the fees account are hereby continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal year, to the division solely for the purposes of fully funding and administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, the costs incurred by the division for its administrative expenses and costs set forth in Section 26023.
(c)All moneys collected pursuant to this chapter as a result of fines or penalties imposed under this chapter shall be deposited directly into the fines and penalties account, which is hereby established within the fund, and shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of funding the enforcement grant program pursuant to subdivision (d).
(d)The division shall establish and administer a grant program to allocate moneys from the fines and penalties account to state and local entities for the purpose of assisting with medical cannabis regulation and the enforcement of this chapter and other state and local laws applicable to licensees. The costs of the grant program under this subdivision shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be paid for with moneys in the fines and penalties account.
(e)The Department of Transportation shall conduct research regarding determining whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana, and shall develop protocols setting forth best practices to assist law enforcement agencies. The costs of the Department of Transportation under this subdivision shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be paid for with moneys in the fines and penalties account.
(f)The total fees charged pursuant to this chapter shall be sufficient to pay the costs associated with the administrative and enforcement duties of the division and of the associated state agencies in administering this chapter.
(g)The division shall enter into an interagency agreement with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Department of Water Resources, the State Department of Public Health, and the Department of Food and Agriculture setting forth the duties of those agencies under this chapter and providing for reimbursement of associated costs from revenues deposited into the fees account of the fund.
26030.(a)The director and the persons employed by the division for the administration and enforcement of this chapter are peace officers in the enforcement of the penal provisions of this chapter, the rules of the division adopted under this chapter, and any other penal provisions of law of this state prohibiting or regulating the cultivation, processing, storing, manufacturing, testing, transporting, or selling of medical cannabis, and these persons are authorized, while acting as peace officers, to enforce any penal provisions of state law while in the course of their employment.
(b)The director, the persons employed by the division for the administration and enforcement of this chapter, peace officers listed in Section 830.1 of the Penal Code, and those officers listed in Section 830.6 of the Penal Code while acting in the course and scope of their employment as peace officers may, in enforcing this chapter, visit and inspect the premises of any licensee at any time during which the licensee is acting pursuant to the mandatory commercial license.
(c)Peace officers of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, members of the University of California and California State University police departments, and peace officers of the Department of Parks and Recreation, as defined in subdivisions (a), (b), (c), and (f) of Section 830.2 of the Penal Code, may, in enforcing this chapter, visit and inspect the premises of any licensee at any time during which the licensee is acting pursuant to the license.
26034.(a)Information identifying the names of patients, their medical conditions, or the names of their primary caregivers received and contained in records kept by the division for the purposes of administering this chapter are confidential and exempt from the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code) and are not subject to disclosure to any individual or private entity, except as necessary for authorized employees of the State of California to perform official duties pursuant to this chapter:
(b)Nothing in this section precludes the following:
(1)Division employees notifying state or local agencies about information submitted to the division that the employee suspects is falsified or fraudulent.
(2)Notifications from the division to state or local agencies about apparent violations of this chapter.
(3)Verification of requests by state or local law enforcement agencies to confirm licenses and certificates issued by the division or other state agency.
(4)Provision of information requested pursuant to a court order or subpoena issued by a court or an administrative agency or local governing body authorized by law to issue subpoenas.
(c)Information shall not be disclosed beyond what is necessary to achieve the goals of a specific investigation or the parameters of a specific court order or subpoena.
26035.Nothing in this chapter is intended to require an employer to permit or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transportation, sale or growth or cannabis in the workplace or to affect the ability of employers to have policies restricting the use of cannabis by employees.
3.Mandatory Commercial License26040.(a)The division shall adopt regulations establishing a tiered licensing scheme to accommodate the different levels and types of activity to be licensed. The regulations shall set forth the application and licensure process, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)A description of the various specific forms of commercial cannabis activity to be authorized by the various types of licenses.
(2)The establishment of license application, issuance, renewal, suspension, surrender, and revocation procedures for the various types of licenses to be issued.
(3)The procedures for the issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of mandatory commercial licenses.
(4)Time periods, not to exceed 90 days, by which the division shall approve or deny an application for mandatory commercial licensure.
(5)Qualifications for licensees.
(6)Security requirements, including, but not limited to, procedures for limiting access to facilities and for the screening of employees.
(b)Each mandatory commercial license application approved by the division pursuant to this chapter is separate and distinct.
(c)A mandatory commercial license application approved by the division pursuant to this chapter shall be valid for a period not to exceed one year from the date of approval unless revoked or suspended earlier than that date pursuant to this chapter or the rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter
26041.A license application or renewal shall not be approved if the division determines any of the following:
(a)The applicant fails to meet the requirements of this chapter or any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter, or any applicable city or county ordinance or regulation.
(b)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners, is under 21 years of age.
(c)The applicant has knowingly answered a question or request for information falsely on the application form or failed to provide information requested.
(d)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners has been convicted in the previous five years of a violent felony, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 of the Penal Code, a serious felony as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 1192.7 of the Penal Code, a felony offense involving fraud or deceit, or any other felony that, in the divisions estimation, would impair the applicants ability to appropriately operate as a mandatory commercial licensee.
(e)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners is a licensed physician making patient recommendations for medical cannabis.
(f)The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners has been sanctioned by the division, a city, or a county for unlicensed commercial medical cannabis activities or has had a license revoked under this chapter in the previous three years.
(g)For an applicant that will have more than 20 employees, the applicant has entered into a labor peace agreement with a bona fide labor organization that is actively engaged in representing or attempting to represent the applicants employees.
26042.The division shall establish a scale of application, licensing, and renewal fees, based upon the cost of enforcing this chapter, as follows:
(a)The division shall charge each applicant for licensure or renewal an application or renewal fee that shall be calculated to cover the costs of processing the application or renewal. This fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with approving the application or renewal related to the varying activities covered by the license, but shall not exceed ____ dollars ($____) for a initial application, and ____dollars ($____) for a renewal application.
(b)Upon the issuance of a license, the division shall charge each licensee a licensure fee. The licensure fee shall be calculated to cover the costs of administering this chapter, other than the costs of processing applications. The licensure fee may vary depending upon the varying costs associated with administering the various regulatory requirements of this chapter as they relate to the nature and scope of the different licensure activities, but shall not be less than ____ dollars ($____), nor more than ____ dollars ($____).
(c)The division shall establish appropriate fees as part of its emergency regulations for the issuance of provisional licenses adopted pursuant to Section 26043.
(d)The total fees assessed pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, provisional license fees set forth in Section 26054, shall be set in at an amount that will fairly and proportionately generate sufficient total revenue to fully cover the total costs of administering this chapter, including, but not limited to, costs set forth in Section 26023.
26043.(a)The division shall adopt, as soon as practicable, emergency regulations consistent with this chapter to allow a qualified applicant for license to apply for and receive a provisional licensed to engage in commercial cannabis activity so as to ensure an adequate supply of medical cannabis upon full implementation of this chapter as set forth in Section 26054.
26045.Every mandatory commercial license is renewable unless the license has been revoked if the renewal application is submitted and the fee for it is paid. A license that has been suspended, but not revoked, may be renewed under this section, however, the act of renewal shall not effect the suspension and the suspension shall remain in effect upon renewal. All licenses expire at 12 midnight on the last day of the month posted on the license. All licenses shall be renewed as follows:
(a)The application to renew the license may be filed before the license expires upon payment of the annual fee.
(b)For 60 days after the license expires, the license may be renewed upon payment of the annual renewal fee plus a penalty fee that shall be equal to 50 percent of the annual fee.
(c)Unless otherwise terminated, or unless renewed pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b), a license that is in effect on the month posted on the license continues in effect through 12 midnight of the 60th day following the month posted on the license, at which time it is automatically canceled.
(d)A license that has been canceled pursuant to subdivision (c) may be reinstated during the 30 days immediately following cancellation upon payment by cashiers check or money order of the annual renewal fee, plus a penalty fee that shall be equal to 100 percent of the annual fee. A license that has been canceled pursuant to subdivision (c) and that has not been reinstated within 30 days pursuant to this subdivision is automatically revoked on the 31st day after the license has been canceled.
(e)A renewal application shall not be deemed filed within the meaning of this section unless the document itself has been actually delivered to, and the required renewal fee has been paid at, any office of the division during office hours, or unless both the document and fee have been filed and remitted pursuant to Section 11003 of the Government Code.
26046.(a)An application for a license shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:
(1)The legal name and proposed physical addresses of the mandatory commercial licensee.
(2)The name, address, and date of birth of each principal officer and board member.
(3)Operating and inventory control procedures to ensure security and prevent diversion.
(4)Detailed operating procedures for the proposed facility, which shall include, but not be limited to, provisions for facility and operational security, prevention of diversion, employee screening, storage of medical cannabis, personnel policies, and recordkeeping procedures.
(5)A list of all persons or entities having an ownership interest other than a security interest, lien, or encumbrance on any property that will be used by the applicant.
(6)Evidence of the legal right to occupy and use an established location, or an immunity from prosecution for that occupancy or use pursuant to a local ordinance or ordinances, including, but not limited to, Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(7)Documentation that the applicant will be in compliance with all local ordinances and regulations, including, but not limited to, an entity granted immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election.
(8)Evidence that a minimum of 75 percent of the officers and owners of the applicant organization are residents of the State of California for at least three years.
(9)A statement signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the application is true.
(b)For applicants seeking a license to cultivate and process, the application shall also include a detailed description of the operating procedures for all of the following:
(1)Cultivation.
(2)Extraction and infusion methods.
(3)The transportation process.
(4)Inventory procedures.
(5)Quality control procedures.
26047.(a)Upon receipt of an application for a licensure and the applicable fee, the division shall make a thorough investigation to determine whether the applicant and the premises for which a license is applied qualify for the license and whether this chapter has been complied with, and shall investigate all matters connected therewith that may affect the public welfare and morals.
(b)The division shall deny an application if either the applicant or the premises for which a license is applied do not qualify for a licensure under this chapter.
(c)The division may, at its discretion, issue a license to an applicant who has obtained a certificate of rehabilitation pursuant to Section 4852.13 of the Penal Code.
(d)The division may place reasonable conditions upon licensure if grounds exist for denial of the license, and the division finds those grounds may be removed by the imposition of those conditions. However, the limitations set forth in paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 26040 shall not been waived.
(e)The division shall deny the application for licensure or renewal if any of the following conditions apply:
(1)Granting or continuation of a license would be contrary to the public welfare or morals.
(2)The applicant holding or seeking a license has violated any law prohibiting conduct involving moral turpitude.
(3)The applicant for has been previously convicted for drug trafficking, a felony conviction for embezzlement, a felony conviction involving fraud or deceit, or any violent or serious felony conviction.
(4)Local agencies have notified the division and provided evidence that a licensee or applicant within its jurisdiction is in violation of local ordinances relating to marijuana activities.
(5)The application has failed to state with sufficient specificity the jurisdiction in which the applicant proposes to establish operations.
(6)Applicants shall be notified of a denied application in writing via personal service or mail addressed to the address of the applicant or licensee set forth in the application. The denial letter shall contain the detailed reasons for which the application has been denied. The applicant shall have the right to appeal the denial and be given a hearing within 30 days of the appeal. On appeal, the decision shall be upheld unless the applicant demonstrates that the applicant is in fact eligible for licensure and the application is in compliance with this chapter.
26048.(a)The division shall electronically submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information for all applicants for cultivation, dispensing, manufacturing, and transportation licenses for the purpose of obtaining information as to the existence and content of a record of state or federal convictions and arrests, and information regarding whether the person is free on bail, or on his or her own recognizance, pending trial or appeal.
(b)The Department of Justice shall provide a response to the division pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.
(c)The division shall request from the Department of Justice subsequent notification service, as provided pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code, for persons described in this section.
(d)The Department of Justice shall charge a fee sufficient to cover the reasonable cost of processing the requests described in this section.
26049.(a)The actions of a mandatory commercial licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents, permitted pursuant to a mandatory commercial license or provisional license issued by the division or otherwise permitted by this chapter, that are within the scope of the license issued pursuant to this chapter and the regulations adopted pursuant to the authority granted by this chapter, are not unlawful under state law or local ordinance generally prohibiting marijuana related activity and shall not be an offense subject to arrest, prosecution, or other sanction under state law or local ordinance, or be subject to a civil fine or be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under law.
(b)The actions of a person who, in good faith and upon investigation, allows his or her property to be used by a mandatory commercial licensee or provisional licensee, its employees, and its agents, as permitted pursuant to a mandatory commercial license or provisional license issued by the division or otherwise permitted by this chapter, are not unlawful under state law and shall not be an offense subject to arrest, prosecution, or other sanction under state law, or be subject to a civil fine or be a basis for seizure or forfeiture of assets under state law.
(c)Conduct that is within the scope of a license issued pursuant to this chapter but not fully in compliance with this chapter shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of this chapter and shall not be subject to the penal provisions generally prohibiting marijuana related activity, unless and until the license is revoked.
(d)This section shall not be deemed to limit the authority or remedies of a city or county under any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 26010 or 26060 of this code or Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
26050.(a)A licensee shall keep, at the licensed premises, accurate records of the specific commercial cannabis activity conducted by the licensee. The records shall include, at a minimum, all of the following for each batch of product:
(1)The name and address of the supplier.
(2)The dates in which the product was received.
(3)The amounts, form, and batch and lot number.
(4)The location of the cultivation site.
(5)The name of the employee who received the product.
(6)Records demonstrating compliance by the licensee with state and federal rules and regulations regarding reporting and taxation of income received.
(b)The records shall be kept for a minimum of seven years.
(c)The division may make any examination of the books and records of any licensee and may visit and inspect the premises of any licensee that the division may deem necessary to perform its duties under this chapter.
(d)If the licensee or any employee of the licensee refuses, impedes, obstructs, or interferes with an inspection pursuant to this chapter or local ordinance, or if the licensee fails to maintain or provide the books and records required by this section, the license may be summarily suspended and the division shall directly commence proceedings for the revocation of the license in accordance with this chapter.
(e)All cultivation, dispensing, and retail sales licensees shall be subject to an annual audit by the State Auditor in order to ensure proper documentation is kept at each site or facility.
26052.(a)This chapter shall not apply to, and shall have no diminishing effect on, the rights and protections granted to a patient or a primary caregiver pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.
(b)(1)A patient who cultivates, possesses, stores, manufactures, or transports cannabis exclusively for his or her personal medical use but who does not sell or distribute cannabis to any other person is not, thereby, engaged in commercial cannabis activity and is, therefore, exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter.
(2)A primary caregiver who cultivates, possesses, stores, manufactures, transports, donates or provides cannabis exclusively for the personal medical purposes of a specified qualified patient for whom he or she is the primary caregiver within the meaning of Section 11362.7 of the Health and Safety Code but who does not receive remuneration for these activities except for compensation in full compliance with subdivision (c) of Section 11362.765 of the Health and Safety Code is not, thereby, engaged in commercial cannabis activity and is, therefore, exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter.
26054.(a)The division shall, as soon as practicable following January 1, 2016, allow a qualified applicant for license to apply for and receive a provisional licensed to engage in commercial cannabis activity so as to ensure an adequate supply of medical cannabis upon full implementation of this chapter.
(b)The division shall establish appropriate fees not to exceed ____ dollars ($____) for the issuance of a provisional license pursuant to this chapter.
(c)The division shall accept applications for provisional commercial licenses for medical cannabis activity as follows:
(1)The division shall request that every city or county provide the division with a list of approved entities providing medical cannabis to qualified patients and caregivers within the city or countys jurisdiction, if any, the location at which the entity is operating, and the names of the persons who operate the entity. If the jurisdiction represents that the entity has been operating in compliance with local laws and regulations, or has limited immunity under local laws, including, but not limited to, Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election, the division shall issue a provisional license to the entity until the time that the entitys application for mandatory commercial license has been approved or denied under this chapter, but no later than 90 days after the division begins accepting applications for mandatory commercial licensure.
(2)The division shall issue a provisional license to individuals and entities that the division determines were, during the 12 months prior to January 1, 2016, regularly cultivating, processing, manufacturing, transporting, or distributing medical cannabis collectively or cooperatively in full compliance with paragraphs A and B of Section IV of the Guidelines for Security and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical Use, issued by the Department of Justice in August 2008, and any applicable local ordinance, to continue to do so until the licensees application for mandatory commercial licensure has been approved or denied under this chapter, but no later than 90 days after the division begins accepting applications for regular mandatory commercial licenses. The division may consult with relevant local agencies in making a determination on whether a provisional license applicant is in compliance with any applicable ordinance.
(d)To qualify for a provisional mandatory commercial license, applicants shall disclose to the division all of the following information in writing:
(1)The names, addresses, and dates of birth of each principal officer, owner, or board member.
(2)The common street address and assessors parcel number of the property at which the licensee conducts any activity under the authority of the licensee.
(3)The common street address and assessors parcel number of the property at which any cultivation activity was or is to be conducted.
(4)For the 12 months prior to January 1, 2016, the quantity of cannabis cultivated, processed, manufactured, tested, transported, or sold at a location and the quantity expected to be cultivated, processed, manufactured, tested, transported, or sold from January 1, 2016, to July 1, 2016, inclusive. The licensee shall make its records of current activity and activity for the 12 months prior to January 1, 2016, available to the division upon request.
(e)Upon receipt of the application materials and fee, the division may issue a provisional license and send a proof of issuance to the applicant, if the applicant has not committed any act or crime constituting grounds for the denial of licensure.
(f)Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the division shall not issue a provisional license to any an individual or entity, or for any a premises, against whom there are pending state or local administrative or judicial proceedings or actions initiated by a city, county, or city and county under any applicable local ordinance or who has been determined through those proceedings to have violated any local ordinance related to marijuana activity, or that knowingly provides false or fraudulent information on an application for licensure.
(g)Entities that are provided immunity under Measure D, approved by the voters of the City of Los Angeles at the May 21, 2013, general election, shall be considered the equivalent of entities that are registered, permitted, or licensed as a medical marijuana business, dispensary, or other entity involved in providing medical marijuana to patients under a local ordinance and shall be considered in compliance with a local ordinance for the purposes of the implementation of this section.
(h)Provisional licensees shall comply with all standards and requirements applicable to a licensee under this chapter, including, but not limited to, the production, recordkeeping, security, and transportation requirements and standards.
26055.(a)The division may adopt regulations to permit the transfer of a license from a licensee to another person who demonstrates to the division that he or she is eligible for licensure under this chapter, if all of the following requirements are met:
(b)The division has determined that granting an additional license of the type in question in the geographic region in question may lead to the availability of product in excess of the amounts needed to meet the medical need.
(c)The prospective recipient of the license complies with all of the requirements of this chapter relating to a new application for licensure, including, but not limited to, payment to the division of a reasonable license transfer fee.
26057.The division shall make recommendations to the Legislature pertaining to the establishment of an appeals and judicial review process for persons aggrieved by a final decision of the division.
4.Enforcement26060.(a)The division shall work in conjunction with law enforcement agencies for the purposes of implementing, administering, and enforcing this chapter and the divisions regulations and taking appropriate action against licensees and others who fail to comply with this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(b)Nothing in this chapter or in Article 2 (commencing with Section 11357) or Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11362.7) of Chapter 6 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, shall prevent a city, county, or city and county from adopting or enforcing a zoning ordinance or other law, ordinance, or regulation that regulates the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or other person that engages in commercial cannabis activity.
26062.Except for a person identified in Section 26052, a person shall not exercise the privilege or perform any act that a licensee may exercise or perform under the authority of a license unless the person is acting pursuant to a license, including, but not limited to, a provisional license, issued pursuant to this chapter.
26063.(a)Any product containing cannabis that is distributed, or offered for sale by a licensee shall comply with the testing, labeling, and food safety requirements established pursuant to this chapter.
(b)No person shall steal or fraudulently use a licensees identification certificate, or license or other licensees identification card or license issued by the division to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, test, transport, produce, possess for sale, sell, or distribute cannabis.
(c)No person shall counterfeit, tamper with, or fraudulently produce an identification card or license status.
(d)Any person who violates this section, or Section 26062, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to the following penalties:
(1)For the first offense, imprisonment in a county jail for no more than ____months or a fine not to exceed ____dollars ($____), or both.
(2)For a second or subsequent offense, imprisonment in a county jail for no more than ____ or a fine not to exceed ____ dollars ($____), or both.
(e)Any person who is charged, prosecuted, or subjected to a civil penalty under this chapter shall not also be charged or prosecuted pursuant to the Health and Safety Code for conduct arising from the same set of facts.
26064.Any person operating an unlicensed facility, building, structure, or location where cannabis is being commercially cultivated, processed, manufactured, tested, or possessed for sale in violation of this chapter shall be subject to civil penalties of up to ____ dollars ($____) for each violation, and the division may order the destruction of any cannabis associated with that violation. All civil fines collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the fines and penalties account established pursuant to Section 26028.
26066.(a)The director or any district attorney, county counsel, city attorney, or city prosecutor may bring an action in the name of the people of the State of California to enjoin a violation or the threatened violation of any provision of this chapter, including, but not limited to, a licensees failure to correct objectionable conditions following notice or as a result of any rule promulgated pursuant to this chapter. The action shall be brought in the county in which the violation occurred or is threatened to occur. Any proceeding brought pursuant to this chapter shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(b)A state or local law enforcement agency shall immediately notify the division of any arrests made for violations over which the division has jurisdiction which involve a licensee or licensed premises. Notice shall be given within 10 days of the arrest. The division shall promptly cause an investigation to be made as to whether grounds exist for suspension or revocation of the license.
(c)This chapter shall not be construed to limit a law enforcement agencys ability to investigate unlawful activity in relation to a mandatory commercial licensee.
(d)The division shall keep a complete record of all entities licensed pursuant to this chapter. This record shall be made available on the divisions Internet Web site so as to permit state and local law enforcement to verify a mandatory commercial license.
(e)The department shall authorize the city, county, or city and county, to impose a temporary local suspension of the license of a commercial licensee for up to 30 days for violations of this chapter. The department shall promptly cause an investigation to be made as to whether grounds exist for continued suspension or revocation of the license.
5.Transportation of Medical Cannabis26100.A licensed transporter shall transport medical cannabis and medical cannabis products only between licensed facilities.
26102.(a)Prior to transporting medical cannabis products, a licensed transporter shall do both of the following:
(1)Complete an electronic shipping manifest as prescribed by the division.
(2)Securely transmit the manifest to the division and the licensee that will receive the medical cannabis product.
(b)During transportation, the licensed transporter shall maintain a physical copy of the shipping manifest and make it available upon request to agents of the division, local law enforcement officers, or any other designate enforcement agency.
(c)The licensee receiving the shipment shall maintain each electronic shipping manifest and shall make it available upon request to agents of the division, local law enforcement officers, or any other designate enforcement agency.
(d)Upon receipt of the shipment, a licensed facility shall submit to the division a record verifying receipt of the shipment and the details of the shipment.
26104.(a)Transported medical cannabis products shall be transported only in a storage compartment that is securely affixed to the interior of the transporting vehicle, and shall not be visible from outside the vehicle.
(b)A vehicle transporting medical cannabis products shall travel only directly between licensed facilities.
(c)All transport vehicles shall be staffed with a minimum of two employees. At least one transport member shall remain with the vehicle at all times when the vehicle contains medical cannabis.
(d)Each transport team member shall possess documentation of licensing and a government-issued identification card at all times when transporting or delivering medical marijuana and shall produce it upon the request of agents of the division or any law enforcement officials.
26105.(a)The division shall develop a database containing the electronic shipping manifests, which shall include, but are not limited to, the following information:
(1)The quantity, or weight, and variety of products shipped.
(2)The estimated times of departure and arrival.
(3)The quantity or weight, and variety of products received.
(4)The actual time of arrival.
(5)A categorization of the product.
(b)The database shall be designed to flag irregularities for the division to investigate. The division may, at any time, inspect shipments and request documentation for current inventory.
26107.(a)This chapter shall not be construed to authorize or permit any licensee to transport, or cause to be transported, cannabis or cannabis products outside the state, unless authorized by federal law.
(b)A local jurisdiction shall not prevent transportation of medical cannabis by a licensed transporter who acts in compliance with this chapter.
6.Cannabis Employee Certification and Apprenticeship Program26140.(a)The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall do all of the following:
(1)Maintain minimum standards for the competency and training of employees of a licensed cultivation site or a licensed dispensing facility, licensed pursuant to this chapter.
(2)Maintain an advisory committee and panels as necessary to carry out its functions under this section. There shall be employer representation on the committee and panels.
(3)Establish and collect certification fees not to exceed the reasonable cost to the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement in issuing certifications.
(4)Adopt regulations necessary to implement this article.
(5)Issue certification cards to employees who have been certified pursuant to this article.
(6)Maintain a cannabis certification curriculum committee made up of representatives of the State Department of Education, the California Community Colleges, and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. The committee shall do all of the following:
(A)Establish written educational curriculum standards for enrollees in training programs. Curriculum shall include appropriate standards for the sale, processing, and cultivation of medical marijuana including standards for dispensing, growing, harvesting, packaging, labeling, preparing, transporting, delivering, testing, storage, and preventing diversion of medical marijuana and related products, including edible medical marijuana products.
(B)If an educational providers curriculum meets the written educational curriculum standards established in accordance with subparagraph (A), designate that curriculum as an approved curriculum of classroom instruction.
(C)At the committees discretion, review the approved curriculum of classroom instruction of any designated educational provider. The committee may withdraw its approval of the curriculum if the educational provider does not continue to meet the established written educational curriculum standards.
(D)Require each designated educational provider to submit an annual notice to the committee stating whether the educational provider is continuing to offer the approved curriculum of classroom instruction and whether material changes have been made to the curriculum since its approval.
(b)There shall be no discrimination in favor of, or against, a person based on membership or nonmembership in a union.
(c)For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:
(1)Cannabis employee means an employee of a licensee working at a licensed facility under this chapter.
(2)Committee means the cannabis curriculum certification committee established pursuant to this article.
26141.(a)Except as provided in subdivision (c), persons who perform work as cannabis employees shall be certified by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
(b)Individuals desiring to be certified shall submit an application for certification and examination that includes an employment history report from the Social Security Administration. The individual may redact his or her social security number from the employment history report before it is submitted.
(c)(1)Certification is not required for registered apprentices working as cannabis employees as part of an apprenticeship program approved under a federal Office of Apprenticeship program or a state apprenticeship program authorized by the federal Office of Apprenticeship. An apprentice who is within one year of completion of his or her term of apprenticeship shall be permitted to take the certification examination and, upon passing the examination, shall be certified immediately upon completion of the term of apprenticeship.
(2)Certification is not required for any person employed pursuant to Section 26143.
(d)The following shall constitute additional grounds for disciplinary proceedings, including suspension or revocation of the conditional license issued pursuant to this chapter:
(1)The licensed cultivation site or licensed dispensing facility willfully employs one or more uncertified persons to perform work as cannabis employees in violation of this section or Section 26143.
(2)The licensed cultivation site or licensed dispensing facility willfully fails to provide adequate supervision of uncertified workers required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 26143.
(3)The licensed cultivation site or licensed dispensing facility willfully fails to provide adequate supervision of apprentices performing work pursuant to subdivision (c).
(e)The Labor Commissioner shall maintain a process for referring cases to the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement when it has been determined that a violation of this section has likely occurred. The Labor Commissioner shall have a memorandum of understanding with the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement in furtherance of this section.
(f)Upon receipt of a referral by the Labor Commissioner alleging a violation under this section, the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement shall open an investigation. Disciplinary action against the licensee shall be initiated within 60 days of the receipt of the referral. The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement may initiate disciplinary action against a licensee upon his or her own investigation, the filing of a complaint, or a finding that results from a referral from the Labor Commissioner alleging a violation under this section. Failure of the employer or employee to provide evidence of certification or apprentice status shall create a rebuttable presumption of violation of this provision.
26142.The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall do all of the following:
(a)Make information about cannabis employee certification available in languages other than English to the extent the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement finds appropriate.
(b)Provide for the administration of certification tests in Spanish and, to the extent practicable, other languages spoken by a substantial number of applicants, except when the ability to understand warning signs, instructions, and certain other information in English is necessary for safety, cultivation, and dispensing.
(c)Ensure, in conjunction with the California Apprenticeship Council, that all cannabis apprenticeship programs that impose minimum formal education requirements as a condition of entry provide for reasonable alternative means of satisfying those requirements.
(d)Ensure, in conjunction with the California Apprenticeship Council, that all cannabis apprenticeship programs have adopted reasonable procedures for granting credit toward a term of apprenticeship for other vocational training and on-the-job training experience.
26143.(a)An uncertified person may perform work for which certification is otherwise required in order to acquire the necessary on-the-job experience for certification if all of the following requirements are met:
(1)The person is registered with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. A list of current registrants shall be maintained by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and made available to the public upon request.
(2)The person either has completed or is enrolled in an approved curriculum of classroom instruction.
(3)The employer attests that the person shall be under the direct supervision of a cannabis employee certified pursuant to Section 26140 who is responsible for supervising no more than one uncertified person. An employer who is found by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to have failed to provide adequate supervision may be barred from employing uncertified individuals in the future.
(b)For purposes of this section, an approved curriculum of classroom instruction means a curriculum of classroom instruction approved by the committee and provided under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Education, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, or the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education.
(c)The committee may grant approval to an educational provider that presently offers only a partial curriculum if the educational provider intends in the future to offer, or to cooperate with other educational providers to offer, a complete curriculum for the type of certification involved. The committee may require an educational provider receiving approval for a partial curriculum to periodically renew its approval with the committee until a complete curriculum is offered and approved.
(d)An educational provider that receives approval for a partial curriculum shall disclose in all communications to students and to the public that the educational provider has only received approval for a partial curriculum and shall not make any representations that the provider offers a complete approved curriculum of classroom instruction.
(e)For purposes of this section, a person is enrolled in an approved curriculum of classroom instruction if the person is attending classes on a full-time or part-time basis toward the completion of an approved curriculum.
(f)Registration under this section shall be renewed annually and the registrant shall provide to the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement certification of the classwork completed and on-the-job experience acquired since the prior registration.
(g)For purposes of verifying the information provided by a person registered with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, an educational provider shall provide an approved curriculum of classroom instruction, and shall, upon the Division of Labor Standards Enforcements request, provide the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement with information regarding the enrollment status and instruction completed by an individual registered. By registering with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement in accordance with this section, the individual consents to the release of this information.
(h)The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall establish registration fees in an amount reasonably necessary to implement this section, not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) for the initial registration. There shall be no fee for annual renewal of registration. Fees shall be deposited into the Medical Cannabis Control Fund established pursuant to Section 26028 for reimbursement of the costs of the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement in administering this article.
(i)Notwithstanding any other law, an uncertified person who has completed an approved curriculum of classroom instruction and is currently registered with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement may take the certification examination. The person shall be certified upon passing the examination and satisfactorily completing the requisite number of on-the-job hours required for certification. A person who passes the examination prior to completing the requisite hours of on-the-job experience shall continue to comply with subdivision (f).
SEC. 6.Section 23028 is added to the Government Code, to read:23028.(a)(1)In addition to any authority otherwise provided by law, the board of supervisors of any county may impose, by ordinance, a tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, producing, processing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling, or distributing marijuana by a licensee operating pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code). The tax may be imposed for general governmental purposes or for purposes specified in the ordinance by the board of supervisors.
(2)The board of supervisors shall specify in the ordinance proposing the tax the activities subject to the tax, the applicable rate or rates, the method of apportionment, and the manner of collection of the tax. A tax imposed pursuant to this section is a tax and not a fee or special assessment, and the tax is not required to be apportioned on the basis of benefit to any person or property or be applied uniformly to all taxpayers or all real property.
(3)A tax imposed by a county pursuant to this section by a county may include a transactions and use tax imposed solely for marijuana or marijuana products, which shall otherwise conform to Part 1.6 (commencing with Section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. Notwithstanding Section 7251.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, the tax may be imposed at any rate specified by the board of supervisors, and the tax rate authorized by this section shall not be considered for purposes of the combined tax rate limitation established by that section.
(4)The tax authorized by this section may be imposed upon any or all of the activities set forth in paragraph (1), regardless of whether the activity is undertaken individually, collectively, or cooperatively, and regardless of whether the activity is for compensation or gratuitously, as determined by the board of supervisors.
(5)The board of supervisors shall specify whether the tax applies throughout the entire county or within the unincorporated area of the county.
(b)In addition to any other method of collection authorized by law, the board of supervisors may provide for the collection of the tax imposed pursuant to this section in the same manner, and subject to the same penalties and priority of lien, as other charges and taxes fixed and collected by the county.
(c)Any tax imposed pursuant to this section shall be subject to applicable voter approval requirements imposed by any other law.
(d)For purposes of this section, marijuana shall have the meanings set forth in Section 26002 of the Business and Professions Code.
(e)This section does not limit or prohibit the levy or collection or any other fee, charge, or tax, or any license or service fee or charge upon, or related to, the activities set forth in subdivision (a) as otherwise provided by law. This section shall not be construed as a limitation upon the taxing authority of any county as provided by other law.
(f)The total taxation of state and local authorities shall not be in excess of 25 percent of retail prices.
SEC. 7.Section 11362.775 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:11362.775.(a)Qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and the designated primary caregivers of qualified patients and persons with identification cards, who associate within the State of California in order collectively or cooperatively to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, shall not solely on the basis of that fact be subject to state criminal sanctions under Section 11357, 11358, 11359, 11360, 11366, 11366.5, or 11570.
(b)Commencing 180 days following the issuance of provisional licenses pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code), subdivision (a) shall not apply to licensees under that act. The Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement shall post a notice on its Internet Web site indicating when it has commenced issuing provisional licenses and when the 180 day period has been exhausted.
SEC. 8.Section 1155.7 of the Labor Code is amended to read:1155.7.(a)Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to apply or be applicable to any a labor organization in its representation of workers who are not agricultural employees. Any such labor organization shall continue to be governed in its intrastate activities for nonagricultural workers by Section 923 and applicable judicial precedents.
(b)To the extent not prohibited by law and for purposes of this chapter, agricultural employer includes a medical cannabis cultivation site licensed pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code).
SEC. 9.Section 1158.5 is added to the Labor Code, to read:1158.5.(a)The Division of Occupational Safety and Health in the Department of Industrial Relations shall develop industry-specific regulations related to the activities of facilities issued a medical cannabis license pursuant to Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code), including provisions for the establishment of labor peace agreements and an apprenticeship program to ensure professional standards among industry employees.
(b)The regulations shall govern agreements between a facility issued a conditional license and a bona fide labor organization prohibiting labor organizations and members from engaging in picketing, work stoppages, boycotts, and other economic interference with the licensees business. The regulations shall also govern agreements whereby the licensee has agreed not to disrupt efforts by the bona fide labor organization to communicate with, and attempt to organize and represent, the licensees employees.
SEC. 10.Section 3094 is added to the Labor Code, to read:3094.The Division of Apprenticeship Standards shall investigate, approve, or reject applications for apprenticeship programs for employees of a licensee pursuant to the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Chapter 18 (commencing with Section 26000) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code). The Division of Apprenticeship Standards shall adopt regulations necessary to implement and regulate the establishment of the apprenticeship programs described in this section.
SEC. 11.The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
SEC. 12.The Legislature finds and declares that Section 5 of this act imposes a limitation on the publics right of access to documents in the possession of a public agency within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution. Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following finding to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:
It is necessary to maintain the confidentiality of patient and physician information provided to the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement in order to protect the private medical information of patients who use medical cannabis and to preserve the essential confidentiality of the physician and patient relationship.
SEC. 13.No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SECTION 1.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish a comprehensive and uniform state regulatory structure to govern the cultivation, processing, testing, and distribution of medical cannabis.
It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish a comprehensive and uniform state regulatory structure to govern the cultivation, processing, testing, and distribution of medical cannabis.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| May 20, 2015 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on APPR. Read second time and amended. |
| Feb 1, 2016 | From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. |
| Jan 31, 2016 | Died pursuant to Article IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution. |
| Jun 3, 2015 | Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Jun 2, 2015 | Read second time and amended. |
| Jun 1, 2015 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| Jun 1, 2015 | From committee: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (May 28). |
| May 28, 2015 | Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 1613.) |
| May 28, 2015 | Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. |
| May 27, 2015 | In committee: Set, second hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| May 21, 2015 | Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| May 20, 2015 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. |
| Dec 1, 2014 | Read first time. To print. |
| May 6, 2015 | Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| May 5, 2015 | Read second time and amended. |
| May 4, 2015 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 4.) (April 28). |
| Apr 27, 2015 | Re-referred to Com. on B. & P. |
| Apr 23, 2015 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended. |
| Apr 21, 2015 | Re-referred to Com. on B. & P. |
| Apr 20, 2015 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended. |
| Apr 6, 2015 | Re-referred to Com. on B. & P. |
| Mar 26, 2015 | Referred to Com. on B. & P. |
| Mar 26, 2015 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended. |
| Dec 2, 2014 | From printer. May be heard in committee January 1. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| May 28, 2015 | Amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
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| Apr 28, 2015 | Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Business and Professions |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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|---|---|---|
| American Nurses Association of California | * Support | Apr 28, 2015 |
| California Police Chiefs Association | * Against Unless Amend | Apr 28, 2015 |
| League Of California Cities | * Against | Apr 28, 2015 |
AB 34
Page 7
Date of Hearing: May 27, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB 34
(Bonta) – As Amended May 20, 2015
Policy Committee: |
Business and Professions |
Vote: |
9 - 4 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill, titled the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act, creates a comprehensive state licensing and regulatory framework for the cultivation, processing, distribution, testing, and sale of medical cannabis. The bill includes provisions related to health and safety standards, which include medical cannabis testing and labeling; record-keeping; security; transportation; taxation; and certification of employees. Specifically, this bill:
Provides that, without limiting the authority of a city or county, the state shall have the exclusive right and power to regulate and license persons for the cultivation, manufacture, transportation, sale, and other related activities regarding medical cannabis in the state. Specifies it does not intend to preempt any local ordinance or prevent local jurisdictions from adopting or enforcing ordinances that ban or regulate cannabis.
Exempts patients and primary caregivers, as defined, from commercial cannabis activity regulation. States it shall not apply to, and shall have no diminishing effect on, the rights and protections granted to a patient or a primary caregiver pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.
Establishes the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement, within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), as the primary regulatory agency as it pertains to the sale, distribution, and transportation of commercial cannabis activity.
Establishes the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing, within the State Department of Public Health (CDPH), to administer provisions related to manufacturing, testing, and certification of testing laboratories. Requires CDPH to adopt labeling, packaging, sanitation, and testing standards.
Establishes the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation within the Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), to administer provisions related to cultivation of medical cannabis. Requires CDFA to adopt regulations and standards ensuring cultivation is in compliance with specified environmental and agricultural regulations and practices, and to establish weight and measure standards. Prohibits cannabis cultivation on public lands.
Requires a task force be convened to further specify the appropriate roles of regulatory authorities, and establish communication guidelines. Requires a report to the Legislature by August 1, 2016.
Requires the three divisions to issue tiered licenses specified in the bill, which depend on the level and type of activity, for commercial cannabis activity within their jurisdictions; establish licensing fees; establish applicant and employee qualifications, and requirements related to security, product disposal, marketing, and labeling; and enforce licensure provisions. Prohibits unlicensed activity.
Requires regulatory authorities to charge application processing fees to process licenses and license fees that reflect licensure regulatory costs. Requires license fees to be charged upon issuing a license. Requires fees to be set at an amount that will fairly and proportionately generate sufficient total revenue to fully cover the total regulatory costs.
Establishes the Medical Cannabis Control Fund as a continuously appropriated fund with four specified accounts. Requires fines and penalties to be deposited into an account in the fund, which is available upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of funding an enforcement grant program.
Requires specified state departments to enter into an interagency agreement to set forth their respective duties and reimbursement from the fund.
Requires regulatory authorities to adopt, as soon as practicable, emergency regulations establishing provisional licenses. Requires issuance of provisional licenses to individuals and entities that determined to have been, during the 3 months prior to January 1, 2016, conducting commercial cannabis activity in compliance with local ordinances. Considers entities provided immunity under Los Angeles's Measure D as compliant.
States it does not prevent local jurisdictions from adopting or enforcing a zoning or other law, ordinance, or regulation that regulates the location, operation, or establishment of commercial cannabis activity. States it does not prevent a city or county from adopting specified local ordinances inconsistent with its provisions.
Makes licensure for persons who are not local permitholders contingent on proof the applicant has received permission from local authorities for commercial cannabis activities.
Allows local jurisdictions to impose a temporary local suspension of the license of a commercial licensee for up to 30 days for violations of this chapter or a local ordinance.
Authorizes boards of supervisors to impose, by ordinance, applicable to voter approval requirements, a tax on cultivation, storing, distributing or selling marijuana by a licensee. Limits total taxation of state and local authorities to 25 percent of retail prices.
Specifies civil penalties of up to twice the amount of the license fee for each incident of unlicensed activity. Requires penalties collected pursuant to action brought by the Attorney General to be deposited into the General Fund.
Requires the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to conduct research to determine whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of cannabis, and to assist law enforcement agencies to establish best practices. Funds this activity through the fines and penalties account.
Requires the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement in the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) to develop employee competency and training certification standards for cultivation and dispensing. Creates a one-time $25 registration fee which is deposited in the Fund. Requires employee certification by January 1, 2019.
Requires the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (in DIR) to convene an advisory committee to evaluate whether there is a need to develop industry-specific regulations. Requires the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (in DIR) to adopt regulations governing apprenticeship programs.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Significant annual costs, likely in excess of $15 million (Medical Cannabis Control Fund / GF or special funds), to create the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the ABC to regulate the medical marijuana industry. Significant costs would be incurred before fees are collected, and the bill does not specify a funding source startup costs. Funds would likely come from the GF for at least the first year, until sufficient fee revenue is generated. If authorized, a loan could also be made from the Alcohol Beverages Control Fund for a portion of startup costs, but it appears the fund's projected $25 million balance will be needed to support an imbalance between expenditures and revenues for ABC's current programs.
The current budget of ABC is approximately $60 million and 450 positions. The ABC is charged with licensing and regulating persons and businesses engaged in the manufacture, importation and distribution of alcoholic beverages, and administering the provisions of the ABC Act to protect the health, safety, welfare and economic well-being of the state. In addition, the ABC Appeals Board has a $1 million budget.
Based on funding and staffing levels of the ABC, and considering the complexities of the undertaking and the significant start-up costs of any new entity (adoption of regulations and fee schedules, office equipment and expenses, etc.), it appears reasonable to assume the costs of providing statewide regulation for cultivation, manufacture, testing, transportation, distribution, and sale of medical marijuana, along with associated hearings, appeals, litigation and enforcement, would conservatively be in the range of 25% of the ABC budget.
Annual costs, likely in the range of several million dollars to CDPH for regulation of manufacturing and testing (Medical Cannabis Control Fund / GF or special funds), as well as CDFA for regulation of cultivation sites ((Medical Cannabis Control Fund / GF or special funds). Funds would likely come from the GF or special funds for at least first year until sufficient fee revenue is generated.
This bill establishes unspecified fees that must be sufficient to cover regulatory costs. The costs of creating and maintaining the regulatory infrastructure would require significant application fees. For purpose of illustration, the average fee to cover a $20 million cost, if there were 2,000 annual applications, would be $10,000 per application.
This bill creates a continuous appropriation from the Medical Cannabis Control Fund to support specified departments. Continuous appropriations are contrary to the general practice of this committee, which prefers annual budget review of expenditures.
Minor and absorbable costs to the Medical Board of California associated with provisions defining specified employment and prescribing behavior as unprofessional conduct.
One-time costs to DIR to certify cultivation and dispensing employees, adopting regulations related to apprenticeship programs, and examining the need for industry-specific regulations, in the range of $1.3 million (GF or special funds), and $900,000 annually ongoing (fee-supported Cannabis Certification Fund /GF or special funds).
Unknown costs, potentially in the range of $1 million GF to CHP to develop a test determining whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of cannabis, and to develop related protocols.
Minor ongoing costs to DOJ for background checks, covered by applicant fees.
Tax and penalty revenue:
Unknown moderate local revenue increase, potentially in the millions of dollars, from a permissive and unspecified local tax.
Unknown fine and penalty will be deposited in the fines and penalties account in the Fund. Penalties are specified as twice license fees, which are unknown. Additionally, each regulatory authority is authorized to define fines and penalties. Potential GF revenue if actions are brought by the Attorney General.
COMMENTS:
Purpose. According to the author, California has fallen behind the nation and failed to implement a comprehensive licensing and regulatory structure to ensure patient access and protect our environment, public safety, and public health. This bill would create a structure in which patients can safely exercise their right to medical cannabis. It applies existing regulatory frameworks to this new industry, while adapting for the unique and historical circumstances surrounding medical cannabis. To this end, the bill divides the licensing structure among multiple agencies that have expertise in various industries that have similarities to that of medical cannabis, in addition to requiring these agencies to promulgate appropriate regulations for the medical cannabis industry. AB 34 also ensures that all licensees and transactions between them are tracked in order to fight diversion of medical cannabis.
Current Medical Marijuana Law. Possession and sale of marijuana is a crime under federal law, and federal law preempts state law. California patients who obtain a physician's recommendation are protected from prosecution for possessing or cultivating an amount of cannabis reasonably related to their current medical needs, as are patients' caregivers. Patients and caregivers who obtain a state MMP identification card from their county health department are protected from arrest and prosecution for possessing, delivering, or cultivating cannabis. Patients and caregivers who engage in these activities, however, remain liable to federal arrest and prosecution, and those who operate dispensaries face frequent federal enforcement actions. A brief history of relevant law is below:
In 1996, California voters passed Prop 215, the Compassionate Use Act (CUA), which prohibits prosecution for growing or using marijuana if a person has an oral or written recommendation of a physician.
In 2003, SB 420 (Vasconcellos, Statutes of 2003), the Medical Marijuana Program Act, created a voluntary identification card that patients and caregivers could obtain to protect them from arrest, and limited the amount of marijuana that could be legally grown and possessed.
In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Gonzales v. Raich (2005) that the federal government can enforce marijuana prohibitions despite state medical marijuana law.
In 2010, the CA Supreme Court ruled in People v. Kelly that the MMP section limiting quantities of cannabis is unconstitutional because it amends a voter initiative.
In 2013, the CA Supreme Court held medical marijuana statutes do not preempt a local ban on facilities that distribute medical marijuana, and that municipalities may prohibit such conduct as a public nuisance (City of Riverside v. Inland Empire Patient's Health & Wellness Center).
Also in 2013, the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) issued guidance that stated, "In jurisdictions that have enacted laws legalizing marijuana in some form and that have also implemented strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems to control the cultivation, distribution, sale, and possession of marijuana, conduct in compliance with those laws and regulations" is less likely to threaten federal priorities which include the most significant public threats, including disrupting gang and cartel activities, preventing revenue diversion, etc. DOJ states where strong state and local regulatory systems exist, "enforcement of state law by state and local law enforcement and regulatory bodies should remain the primary means of addressing marijuana-related activity." California is the only state that permits medical marijuana in the absence of a robust statewide regulatory system; half of all states have some such system.
Support. A coalition of marijuana growers, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, American Nurses Association/California, Peace Officers Research Association of California, the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, and other organizations support this bill. The Emerald Grower's Association argues the multi-agency approach in this bill ensures that agencies are only responsible for regulating things they are capable of regulating, and also points out the tiered licensing scheme accommodates the different levels and types of activity to be licensed. They note deference to the regulatory process for the many details, given the complexity and multitude of stakeholders.
Opposition. This bill is opposed unless amended the California Police Chiefs Association and League of California Cities. The police chiefs do not believe the ABC is an appropriate administrative department for medical marijuana regulation, and raises concerns regarding the efficacy of state enforcement, instead advocating for an enforcement structure based on local enforcement with state enforcement being secondary. The League of California Cities writes several of this bill's provisions set the stage for future litigation, pitting local governments against the state, and against industry participants who have attempted to set up shop in direct violation of local ordinances. The Family Winemakers of California oppose placement in ABC and are concerned about the potential redirection of alcohol-related license fee revenue.
Related Legislation.
AB 266 (Cooley and Lackey), also on today's calendar, creates a similar statewide regulatory framework, but tasks the Department of Consumer Affairs with licensure duties.
AB 243 (Wood), also on today's calendar, requires medical marijuana cultivation (MMC) to be conducted in accordance with state and local laws and best practices, as specified, and would require state agencies to address environmental impacts of MMC and coordinate with local governments in enforcement efforts, and establishes a MMC permitting system.
SB 643 (McGuire), pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee, establishes within DCA a Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation, under the supervision and control of the Chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation, and requires the bureau to license and regulate dispensing facilities, cultivation sites, transporters, and manufacturers of medical marijuana and medical marijuana products, subject to local ordinances, and enforced primarily at the local level.
Prior Legislation.
AB 1262 (Correa) of 2014, would have established a licensing and regulatory framework for the cultivation, processing, transportation, testing, recommendation and sale of medical marijuana to be administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and enforced primarily at the local level, was held on the Suspense File of this committee.
AB 1894 (Ammiano), 2014, would have established the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act to regulate the cultivation, testing, transportation, distribution, and sale of medical cannabis, and created the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation (division) in the ABC, failed passage on the Assembly floor, 26-33.
AB 473 (Ammiano), 2013, would have created the Division of Medical Marijuana Regulation and Enforcement within the ABC to regulate cultivation, testing, transportation, distribution, and sale of medical marijuana failed passage on the Assembly floor (35-37).
AB 2312 (Ammiano), 2012, would have established the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Control Act, authorizing local taxes on medical cannabis and creating a board to regulate the medical cannabis industry, was never heard in the Senate.
Staff Comments. The DIR is tasked with certifying and annually renewing registration for cannabis workers. The bill establishes a fee not to exceed $25 for initial registration, but it specifies there shall not be a fee for the annual renewal of registration. This puts pressure on the GF or special funds to fund whatever ongoing costs are incurred for registration in absence of fee support. Staff suggests fee authority be provided in a manner sufficient to fund these regulatory activities without GF or other special fund support.
Analysis Prepared by: Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
AB 34
Page 6
Date of Hearing: May 20, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB 34
(Bonta) – As Amended May 5, 2015
Policy Committee: |
Business and Professions |
Vote: |
9 - 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: Yes
SUMMARY:
This bill, titled the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act, creates a comprehensive state licensing and regulatory framework for the cultivation, processing, distribution, testing, and sale of medical cannabis. The bill includes provisions related to health and safety standards, which include medical cannabis testing and labeling; record-keeping; security; transportation; taxation; and certification of employees. Specifically, this bill:
Provides that, without limiting the authority of a city or county, the state shall have the exclusive right and power to regulate and license persons for the cultivation, manufacture, transportation, sale, and other related activities regarding medical cannabis in the state.
Exempts patients and primary caregivers, as defined, from commercial cannabis activity regulation. States it shall not apply to, and shall have no diminishing effect on, the rights and protections granted to a patient or a primary caregiver pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.
Establishes the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement, within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), as the primary regulatory agency as it pertains to the sale, distribution, and transportation of commercial cannabis activity.
Establishes the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing, within the State Department of Public Health (CDPH), to administer provisions related to manufacturing, testing, and certification of testing laboratories. Requires CDPH to adopt labeling, packaging, sanitation, and testing standards.
Establishes the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation within the Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), to administer provisions related to cultivation of medical cannabis. Requires CDFA to adopt regulations and standards ensuring cultivation is in compliance with specified environmental and agricultural regulations and practices, and to establish weight and measure standards. Prohibits cannabis cultivation on public lands.
Requires the three divisions to issue tiered licenses, depending on the level and type of activity, for commercial cannabis activity within their jurisdictions; establish licensing fees; establish applicant and employee qualifications, and requirements related to security, product disposal, marketing, and labeling; and enforce licensure provisions. Prohibits unlicensed activity.
Requires regulatory authorities to charge application processing fees to process licenses and license fees that reflect licensure regulatory costs. Requires license fees to be charged upon issuing a license. Requires fees to be set at an amount that will fairly and proportionately generate sufficient total revenue to fully cover the total regulatory costs.
Establishes the Medical Cannabis Control Fund as a continuously appropriated fund. Requires fines and penalties to be deposited into an account in the fund, which is available upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of funding an enforcement grant program.
Requires specified state departments to enter into an interagency agreement to set forth their respective duties and reimbursement from the fund.
Requires regulatory authorities to adopt, as soon as practicable, emergency regulations establishing provisional licenses. Requires issuance of provisional licenses to individuals and entities that determined to have been, during the 3 months prior to January 1, 2016, conducting commercial cannabis activity in compliance with local ordinances. Considers entities provided immunity under Los Angeles's Measure D as compliant.
States it does not prevent local jurisdictions from adopting or enforcing a zoning or other law, ordinance, or regulation that regulates the location, operation, or establishment of commercial cannabis activity. States it does not prevent a city or county from adopting specified local ordinances inconsistent with its provisions.
Makes licensure for persons who are not local permitholders contingent on proof the applicant has received permission from local authorities for commercial cannabis activities.
Allows local jurisdictions to impose a temporary local suspension of the license of a commercial licensee for up to 30 days for violations of this chapter or a local ordinance.
Authorizes boards of supervisors to impose, by ordinance, applicable to voter approval requirements, a tax on cultivation, storing, distributing or selling marijuana by a licensee. Limits total taxation of state and local authorities to 25 percent of retail prices.
Specifies civil penalties of up to twice the amount of the license fee for each incident of unlicensed activity. Requires penalties collected pursuant to action brought by the Attorney General to be deposited into the General Fund.
Requires the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to conduct research to determine whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of cannabis, and to assist law enforcement agencies to establish best practices. Funds this activity through the fines and penalties account.
Requires the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement in the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) to develop employee competency and training certification standards for cultivation and dispensing. Creates a one-time $25 registration fee which is deposited in the Fund. Requires employee certification by January 1, 2019.
Requires the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (in DIR) to convene an advisory committee to evaluate whether there is a need to develop industry-specific regulations. Requires the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (in DIR) to adopt regulations governing apprenticeship programs.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Significant annual costs, likely in excess of $15 million (Medical Cannabis Control Fund / GF or special funds), to create the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the ABC to regulate the medical marijuana industry. Significant costs would be incurred before fees are collected, and the bill does not specify a funding source startup costs. Funds would likely come from the GF for at least the first year, until sufficient fee revenue is generated. If authorized, a loan could also be made from the Alcohol Beverages Control Fund for a portion of startup costs, but it appears the fund's projected $25 million balance will be needed to support an imbalance between expenditures and revenues for ABC's current programs.
The current budget of ABC is approximately $60 million and 450 positions. The ABC is charged with licensing and regulating persons and businesses engaged in the manufacture, importation and distribution of alcoholic beverages, and administering the provisions of the ABC Act to protect the health, safety, welfare and economic well-being of the state. In addition, the ABC Appeals Board has a $1 million budget.
Based on funding and staffing levels of the ABC, and considering the complexities of the undertaking and the significant start-up costs of any new entity (adoption of regulations and fee schedules, office equipment and expenses, etc.), it appears reasonable to assume the costs of providing statewide regulation for cultivation, manufacture, testing, transportation, distribution, and sale of medical marijuana, along with associated hearings, appeals, litigation and enforcement, would conservatively be in the range of 25% of the ABC budget.
Annual costs, likely in the range of several million dollars to CDPH for regulation of manufacturing and testing (Medical Cannabis Control Fund / GF or special funds), as well as CDFA for regulation of cultivation sites ((Medical Cannabis Control Fund / GF or special funds). Funds would likely come from the GF or special funds for at least first year until sufficient fee revenue is generated.
This bill establishes unspecified fees that must be sufficient to cover regulatory costs. The costs of creating and maintaining the regulatory infrastructure would require significant application fees. For purpose of illustration, the average fee to cover a $20 million cost, if there were 2,000 annual applications, would be $10,000 per application.
This bill creates a continuous appropriation from the Medical Cannabis Control Fund to support specified departments. Continuous appropriations are contrary to the general practice of this committee, which prefers annual budget review of expenditures.
Minor and absorbable costs to the Medical Board of California associated with provisions defining specified employment and prescribing behavior as unprofessional conduct.
One-time costs to DIR to certify cultivation and dispensing employees, adopting regulations related to apprenticeship programs, and examining the need for industry-specific regulations, in the range of $1.3 million (GF or special funds), and $900,000 annually ongoing (fee-supported Cannabis Certification Fund /GF or special funds).
Unknown costs, potentially in the range of $1 million GF to Caltrans to contract for research determining whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of cannabis, and to develop related protocols.
Minor ongoing costs to DOJ for background checks, covered by applicant fees.
Tax and penalty revenue:
Unknown moderate local revenue increase, potentially in the millions of dollars, from a permissive and unspecified local tax.
Unknown fine and penalty will be deposited in the fines and penalties account in the Fund. Penalties are specified as twice license fees, which are unknown. Additionally, each regulatory authority is authorized to define fines and penalties. Potential GF revenue if actions are brought by the Attorney General.
COMMENTS:
Purpose. According to the author, California has fallen behind the nation and failed to implement a comprehensive licensing and regulatory structure to ensure patient access and protect our environment, public safety, and public health. This bill would create a structure in which patients can safely exercise their right to medical cannabis. It applies existing regulatory frameworks to this new industry, while adapting for the unique and historical circumstances surrounding medical cannabis. To this end, the bill divides the licensing structure among multiple agencies that have expertise in various industries that have similarities to that of medical cannabis, in addition to requiring these agencies to promulgate appropriate regulations for the medical cannabis industry. AB 34 also ensures that all licensees and transactions between them are tracked in order to fight diversion of medical cannabis.
Current Medical Marijuana Law. Possession and sale of marijuana is a crime under federal law, and federal law preempts state law. California patients who obtain a physician's recommendation are protected from prosecution for possessing or cultivating an amount of cannabis reasonably related to their current medical needs, as are patients' caregivers. Patients and caregivers who obtain a state MMP identification card from their county health department are protected from arrest and prosecution for possessing, delivering, or cultivating cannabis. Patients and caregivers who engage in these activities, however, remain liable to federal arrest and prosecution, and those who operate dispensaries face frequent federal enforcement actions. A brief history of relevant law is below:
In 1996, California voters passed Prop 215, the Compassionate Use Act (CUA), which prohibits prosecution for growing or using marijuana if a person has an oral or written recommendation of a physician.
In 2003, SB 420 (Vasconcellos, Statutes of 2003), the Medical Marijuana Program Act, created a voluntary identification card that patients and caregivers could obtain to protect them from arrest, and limited the amount of marijuana that could be legally grown and possessed.
In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Gonzales v. Raich (2005) that the federal government can enforce marijuana prohibitions despite state medical marijuana law.
In 2010, the CA Supreme Court ruled in People v. Kelly that the MMP section limiting quantities of cannabis is unconstitutional because it amends a voter initiative.
In 2013, the CA Supreme Court held medical marijuana statutes do not preempt a local ban on facilities that distribute medical marijuana, and that municipalities may prohibit such conduct as a public nuisance (City of Riverside v. Inland Empire Patient's Health & Wellness Center).
Also in 2013, the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) issued guidance that stated, "In jurisdictions that have enacted laws legalizing marijuana in some form and that have also implemented strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems to control the cultivation, distribution, sale, and possession of marijuana, conduct in compliance with those laws and regulations" is less likely to threaten federal priorities which include the most significant public threats, including disrupting gang and cartel activities, preventing revenue diversion, etc. DOJ states where strong state and local regulatory systems exist, "enforcement of state law by state and local law enforcement and regulatory bodies should remain the primary means of addressing marijuana-related activity." California is the only state that permits medical marijuana in the absence of a robust statewide regulatory system; half of all states have some such system.
Support. A coalition of marijuana growers, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, American Nurses Association/California, and other organizations support this bill. The Emerald Grower's Association argues the multi-agency approach in this bill ensures that agencies are only responsible for regulating things they are capable of regulating, and also points out the tiered licensing scheme accommodates the different levels and types of activity to be licensed. They note deference to the regulatory process for the many details, given the complexity and multitude of stakeholders.
Opposition. This bill is opposed by law enforcement and local governments. California Police Chiefs Association states they do not believe that the ABC is an appropriate administrative department for medical marijuana regulation, and raises concerns regarding the efficacy of state enforcement, instead advocating for an enforcement structure based off of local enforcement with state enforcement being secondary. The League of California Cities writes several of this bill's provisions set the stage for future litigation, pitting local governments against the state, and against industry participants who have attempted to set up shop in direct violation of local ordinances. The Family Winemakers of California oppose placement in ABC and are concerned about the potential redirection of alcohol-related license fee revenue.
Related Legislation.
AB 266 (Cooley and Lackey), also on today's calendar, creates a similar statewide regulatory framework, but tasks the Department of Consumer Affairs with licensure duties.
AB 243 (Wood), also on today's calendar, requires medical marijuana cultivation (MMC) to be conducted in accordance with state and local laws and best practices, as specified, and would require state agencies to address environmental impacts of MMC and coordinate with local governments in enforcement efforts, and establishes a MMC permitting system.
SB 643 (McGuire), pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee, establishes within DCA a Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation, under the supervision and control of the Chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation, and requires the bureau to license and regulate dispensing facilities, cultivation sites, transporters, and manufacturers of medical marijuana and medical marijuana products, subject to local ordinances, and enforced primarily at the local level.
Prior Legislation.
AB 1262 (Correa) of 2014, which established a licensing and regulatory framework for the cultivation, processing, transportation, testing, recommendation and sale of medical marijuana to be administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and enforced primarily at the local level, was held on the Suspense File of this committee.
AB 1894 (Ammiano), 2014, which established the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act to regulate the cultivation, testing, transportation, distribution, and sale of medical cannabis, and created the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation (division) in the ABC, failed passage on the Assembly floor, 26-33.
AB 473 (Ammiano), 2013, which created the Division of Medical Marijuana Regulation and Enforcement within the ABC to regulate cultivation, testing, transportation, distribution, and sale of medical marijuana failed passage on the Assembly floor (35-37).
AB 2312 (Ammiano), 2012, which established the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Control Act, authorizing local taxes on medical cannabis and creating a board to regulate the medical cannabis industry, was never heard in the Senate.
Staff Comments. The DIR is tasked with certifying and annually renewing registration for cannabis workers. The bill establishes a fee not to exceed $25 for initial registration, but it specifies there shall not be a fee for the annual renewal of registration. This puts pressure on the GF or special funds to fund whatever ongoing costs are incurred for registration in absence of fee support. Staff suggests fee authority be provided in a manner sufficient to fund these regulatory activities without GF or other special fund support.
Staff notes the single fund to support several department's licensing activities offers some benefit but could pose significant fiscal risk to departments or fee payers if some license fee amounts are under- or overestimated.
Analysis Prepared by: Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
AB 34
Page 32
Date of Hearing: April 28, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS
Susan Bonilla, Chair
AB 34
(Bonta and Jones-Sawyer) – As Amended April 23, 2015
SUBJECT: Medical cannabis regulation and enforcement.
SUMMARY: Establishes a licensing and regulatory framework for medical cannabis under the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act, and would establish the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing within the State Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation within the Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and would set forth the duties of the respective regulatory authorities.
EXISTING LAW:
Recognizes the authority of cities and counties to make and enforce, within their borders, all local, police, sanitary, and other ordinances and regulations not in conflict with general interest laws. (Cal. Const. Art. XI Sec. 7)
Licenses and regulates physicians and surgeons under the Medical Practice Act (Act) by the Medical Board of California (MBC), within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). (Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 2000 et seq.)
Requires the MBC to prioritize its investigative and prosecutorial resources to ensure that physicians representing the greatest threat of harm are identified and disciplined expeditiously and includes in that prioritization list: “Repeated acts of clearly excessive prescribing, furnishing, or administering of controlled substances, or repeated acts of prescribing, dispensing, or furnishing of controlled substances without a good faith prior examination of the patient and medical reason therefor.” (BPC Section 2220.05)
Prohibits the possession, possession with intent to sell, cultivation, sale, transportation, importation, or furnishing of marijuana, except as otherwise provided by law. (Health and Safety Code (HSC) Sections 11357, 11358, 11359, and 11360)
Prohibits prosecution under the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (CUA), an initiative measure, for the possession or cultivation of marijuana of a patient or a patient’s primary caregiver who possesses or cultivates marijuana for the personal medical purposes of the patient upon the written or oral recommendation or approval of a physician. (HSC Section 11362.5)
States that nothing in the CUA shall be construed to supersede legislation prohibiting persons from engaging in conduct that endangers others, or to condone the diversion of marijuana for non-medical purposes. (HSC Section 11362.5(b)(2))
Provides that no physician in California shall be punished, or denied any right or privilege, for having recommended marijuana to a patient for medical purposes. (HSC Section 11362.5(c))
Defines "attending physician" as an individual who possesses a license in good standing to practice medicine or osteopathy issued by the MBC or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California and who has taken responsibility for an aspect of the medical care, treatment, diagnosis, counseling, or referral of a patient and who has conducted a medical examination of that patient before recording in the patient’s medical record the physician’s assessment of whether the patient has a serious medical condition and whether the medical use of marijuana is appropriate. (HSC Section 11362.7(a))
Defines "primary caregiver" for purposes of the CUA as the individual designated by a patient who has consistently assumed responsibility for the housing, health, or safety of that person. (HSC Section 11362.7(d))
Requires the CDPH to establish and maintain a voluntary Medical Marijuana Program for qualified patients to apply for identification cards, and county health departments to issue identification cards to qualified patients and their caregivers. (HSC Section 11362.7 et seq.)
Requires a person who seeks an identification card to pay a fee and provide to the county health department the person's name, proof of residency, written documentation by the attending physician in the person's medical records stating that the person has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition and that the medical use of marijuana is appropriate, and the doctor's name, contact information, and California medical license number, as specified. (HSC Section 11362.715(a))
Makes it a misdemeanor offense to, among other things, fraudulently represent a medical condition or provide any material misinformation to a physician, health department designee, or to law enforcement, for the purpose or falsely obtaining an identification card; counterfeit, tamper with, or fraudulently produce an identification card; or breach any confidentiality requirements pertaining to an identification card program. (HSC Section 11362.81)
Provides that qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and their designated primary caregivers who associate in order to collectively or cooperatively to cultivate marijuana are not subject to criminal liability solely on that basis. (HSC Section 11362.775)
THIS BILL:
General Provisions
Establishes the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act (Act).
Provides that, without limiting the authority of a city or county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, and subject to that authority, the state shall have the exclusive right and power to regulate and license persons for the cultivation, manufacture, transportation, sale, and other related activities regarding medical cannabis in the state.
Defines the following terms:
“Regulatory authority” means the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the ABC, the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing within the CDPH, or the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation within the CDFA, as appropriate to the context;
“Division” means the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the ABC;
“Commercial cannabis activity” means any cultivation, possession, manufacture, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, distributing, or sale of cannabis or cannabis product, except as specified;
“Medical cannabis product,” “medical marijuana product,” or “cannabis product” means any product containing cannabis, including, but not limited to, concentrates and extractions intended to be sold for use by medical marijuana patients in California pursuant to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Proposition 215);
“Manufactured cannabis” means raw marijuana that has undergone a process whereby the raw agricultural product has been transformed into a concentrate, an edible product, or a topical product;
“Dispensary” means a retail location that distributes cannabis or medical cannabis products and is owned and operated by a licensee;
“Testing and labeling” means a labeling and quality assurance plan that addresses all of the following: potency; chemical residue; microbiological contaminants; handling, care, and storage; and date and location of cultivation, processing, and manufacturing;
“Cultivation site” means a location that grows cannabis or medical cannabis products and is owned and operated by a licensee, including a nursery;
“Cultivation” means any activity involving the planting, growing, harvesting, drying, processing, or trimming of cannabis; and,
Provides that the Act does not prevent a city or county from doing any of the following:
Adopting local ordinances inconsistent with the Act that do the following:
Regulate the location, operation, or establishment of a licensee or any person that cultivates, processes, possesses, stores, manufactures, tests, transports, distributes, or sells medical cannabis.
Prohibit commercial cannabis activity within their jurisdiction.
Administrative, civil or criminal enforcement of the ordinances described under a), or establishing a fee or tax for the operation of a licensee within its jurisdiction; or,
Enacting and enforcing other laws or ordinances pursuant to the authority granted by Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
State Framework
Establishes the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the ABC, and requires the Division to:
Be administered by a person who is appointed by the Director of the ABC, and administer the Act, as it pertains to commercial cannabis activity relating to dispensaries.
Lead all state and local authorities regarding the tracking of medical cannabis, medical cannabis products and licensees pursuant to the Act.
Maintain a registry of all permit holders and shall maintain a record of all licensees and commercial cannabis activity of the permit holder throughout the length of licensure and for a minimum of seven years following the expiration of the licensure.
Keep a complete record of all entities licensed pursuant to the Act, which shall be made available on the Division's Internet Web site so as to permit state and local law enforcement to verify a mandatory commercial license.
Develop a database containing electronic shipping manifests, as specified, and designed to flag irregularities for any regulatory authority to investigate.
Adopt regulations regarding the minimum standards for the operation of dispensaries, including:
A requirement that dispensaries provide patients with detailed written information about the contents of the cannabis and medical cannabis products they obtain;
Requirements for inventory control and reporting that require all dispensaries to be able to demonstrate the present location, amounts, and descriptions of all medical cannabis products from the time of delivery to the dispensary until purchase by a qualified patient or primary caregiver;
Minimum educational and testing requirements for licensee staff, including, but not limited to, background checks and a requirement that every dispensary maintain dedicated, licensed security staff both inside and outside the dispensary;
Minimum standards governing signage and advertising for dispensaries.
Commencing 180 days after the Division begins issuing provisional licenses, only allows a dispensary to provide patients medical cannabis and medical cannabis products obtained only from persons licensed under the Act.
Establishes the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing within the CDPH, and requires it to:
Be administered by a person who is appointed by the State Health Officer and administer the Act as it pertains to manufacturing, testing, and certification of testing laboratories for medical cannabis, and adopt regulations that:
Establish product labeling and packaging standards and requirements that require manufactured cannabis products to include:
A label to include the manufacturing date, name of the mandatory commercial licensee from which it was obtained, the active ingredients, net weight, cannabinoid profile, nutritional facts, dosage in total milligrams of cannabinoids delivered, and any potential allergens.
Warning that state, “KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND ANIMALS” and “FOR MEDICAL USE ONLY.”
Clear indication in bold font that the package contains medical cannabis. The package shall not be designed in a manner that attracts minors.
Standards that clearly distinguish edible cannabis products from non-cannabis products.
The name of the mandatory commercial licensee that manufactured the product.
Establish consumer protection, food and product safety requirements, including:
Adverse event reporting and product recall systems and the requirement that employees who manufacture or handle edible cannabis products to thoroughly wash their hands;
Standards for cannabinoid dosage in edible products;
Sanitation standards equivalent to the California Retail Food Code for food preparation, storage, handling, and sale of medical cannabis products;
A requirement that edible medical cannabis products be limited to foods that are not potentially hazardous food;
Weighing or measuring standards, as specified;
Standards controlling the application of pesticides; and,
A requirement that all edible medical cannabis products be individually wrapped at the original point of preparation.
Establish testing requirements for all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, including:
Testing for the active cannabinoid profile, constituent elements, and microbiological, bacterial, pathogenic yeast, and mold counts;
Testing standards by which to test and measure the potency of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products. The Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing shall also determine maximum potency standards in the potency of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products;
Testing standards by which to test and measure the quality of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products; and,
Protocols for medical cannabis and medical cannabis product testing.
Establish procedures for certifying laboratories for the testing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products, which shall be consistent with general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration activities, as specified.
Ensure licensed cannabis cultivation entities have access to existing agricultural incentive and support programs.
Establishes the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation within the CDFA, and requires it to:
Adopt regulations, in consultation with the Department of Water Resources to ensure that commercial cannabis activity does not threaten the state’s clean water and environment.
Adopt regulations ensuring that the cultivation of cannabis under the Act is in compliance with the standards equivalent to the statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the production of a food crop, including:
Cultivation protocols ensuring the quality, availability, and safety of the cannabis crop, including both indoor and outdoor cultivation standards and regulations regarding carbon offsets for indoor cultivation; and,
Environmentally sound agricultural practices, including a requirement that any actual or potential for, environmental damage be addressed by the relevant state agency; a provision authoring revocation of a license if the state determines that the conduct of the licensee threatens to inflict or has inflicted significant damage to the environment; and standards controlling the application of pesticides;
Adopt regulations to establish cultivation labeling and packaging standards and requirements, including, but not limited to, cultivation labeling requirements requiring labeling to include cannabinoid levels, cannabinoid profile, and active ingredients.
Requires each regulatory entity to adopt regulations as needed to implement the licensing program within one year following the establishment of a provisional license, as specified, which shall not limit the authority of a city or a county pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution, or any other law, and require the regulations to:
Establish a scale of application, licensing, and renewal fees, based upon the cost of enforcing the Act, as specified;
Establish procedures for the approval or denial of applications for commercial cannabis activity;
Establish applicant qualifications and licensee employee qualifications, including training and screening requirements, and licensee security requirements, including procedures to limit access to facilities and to prevent diversion of product to nonmedical use;
Establish procedures and protocols for identifying, managing, and disposing of contaminated, adulterated, deteriorated, or excess product and advertising, marketing, signage, and labeling requirements and restrictions;
Establish procedures for the suspension, revocation, or surrender of a license and establishing related fines and penalties for violations;
Licensing Framework
Exempts from licensure a patient who cultivates, possesses, stores, manufactures, or transports medical cannabis only for his her personal medical use, or a primary caregiver who does so only for the personal medical purposes of his or her specified qualified patient, as specified.
Provides that 180 days after the issuance of provisional licenses under the Act, that criminal immunity for qualified patients, persons with valid identification card, and the designated primary caregivers of qualified patients and persons with identification cards who collectively and cooperatively cultivate marijuana for medical purposes shall not apply to licenses under the Act.
Requires the regulatory authority to issue licenses to applicants to engage in commercial cannabis activity pursuant to the Act, and prohibits persons from engaging in commercial cannabis activity unless the person obtains permission from local authorities, as specified.
Prohibits a person from engaging in commercial cannabis activity unless the person:
Obtains permission from local authorities, and requires the document granting permission to include:
Legal name, address, and date of birth of the applicant and the type of license the applicant is requesting a permit for;
Documentation that the applicant has been in compliance with local ordinances and regulations, including, but not limited to, an entity granted immunity under Measure D, as specified;
A statement of whether or not the applicant has previously committed a drug trafficking, serious, or violent felony, a felony involving fraud or deceit or any other felony, as determined by the Division; and
A statement signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the application is true.
Provides that this requirement for permission from local authorities does not apply to a person who holds a valid business license, conditional use permit, or other locally issued permit for commercial cannabis activity;
Submits a copy of the permission, or equivalent qualifying documents, to the Division for recordation, and requires the Division, upon receipt of an approved permission, to provide the applicant with a certificate of approval for licensure, to be presented to the relevant regulatory authority under which the person seeks licensure. Prohibits a regulatory authority from granting approval of an application without a certificate of approval;
Applies for licensure from commercial cannabis activity from a regulatory authority and receives approval for that licensure; and
Abides by all local and state ordinances and regulations pursuant to the Act.
Provides that an application for licensure shall include:
A certificate of approval for licensure by the Division.
The legal name and proposed physical addresses of the mandatory commercial licensee, and the name, address, and date of each principal officer and board member, and a list of all persons or entities having an ownership interest other than a security interest, lien, or encumbrances on any property that will be used by the applicant, and evidence that all of the officers and owners have been residents of the State of California for at least three years.
Operating and inventory control procedures to ensure security and prevent diversion, and detailed operating procedures for the proposed facility, which shall include provisions for facility and operational security, prevention of diversion, employee screening, storage of medical cannabis, personnel policies, and recordkeeping procedures.
Evidence of the legal right to occupy and use an established location, or immunity from prosecution for that occupancy or use pursuant to a local ordinance, as specified, and documentation that the applicant will be in compliance with all local ordinances and regulations, as specified.
A statement signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the application is true.
For applicants seeking a license to cultivate and process, the application shall also include a detailed description of the operating procedures for: cultivation; extraction and infusion methods; transportation process; inventory procedures; and quality control procedures.
Requires regulatory authorities, upon receipt of an application and fee, to make a thorough investigation to determine whether the applicant and the premises for which a license is applied qualify for a license and whether the Act has been complied with.
Authorizes a regulatory authority to place reasonable conditions upon licensure if grounds exist for denial of the license and the Division finds those grounds may be removed by the imposition of those conditions. Provides that specified limitations shall not be waived.
Requires a regulatory authority to deny a license or renewal of a license if:
Granting or continuation of a license would be contrary to the public welfare or morals, or the applicant or license holder has violated any law prohibiting conduct involving moral turpitude.
Local agencies have notified the Division and provided evidence that the licensee or applicant within its jurisdiction is in violation of local ordinances relating to cannabis activities.
The applicant fails to meet the requirements of the Act or any regulation adopted pursuant to the Act, or any applicable city or county ordinance or regulation.
The applicant, or any of its officers, directors, or owners, has been convicted of a felony criminal conviction for drug trafficking, a violent felony, a serious felony, a felony involved fraud or deceit, or any other felony, as determined by the Division.
The applicant has been sanctioned by the Division or a local government for unlicensed medical cannabis activities or has had a license revoked in the last three years.
Requires the regulatory authority to submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information for all license applicants.
Requires regulatory authorities to adopt regulations establishing tiered licensing schemes to accommodate the different levels and types of activities to be licensed, as specified.
Requires the regulations to set forth the application and licensing process, including, but not limited to:
A description of the various specific forms of commercial cannabis activity to be authorized by the various types of licenses and the establishment of the license application, issuance, renewal, suspension, surrender, and revocation procedures for the various types of licenses to be issued;
Procedures for the issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of mandatory commercial licenses, and time periods not to exceed 90 days by which the Division shall approve or deny an application; and
Qualifications for licensees and security requirements.
Provides that each application approved by the respective licensing authority is separate and distinct, and requires each approved license application to be reported to the Division within 24 hours.
Requires each regulatory authority to adopt, as soon as practicable, emergency regulations consistent with the Act to allow a qualified applicant for licensure to apply for, and receive, a provisional license to engage in commercial cannabis activity so as to ensure an adequate supply of medical cannabis upon full implementation of the Act.
Requires each regulatory authority to, as soon as practicable, allow a qualified applicant for licensure to apply for and receive a provisional license, and establish appropriate fees.
Requires each regulatory authority to issue a provisional license to individuals and entities the authority determines were, during the three months prior to January 1, 2016, regularly cultivating, processing, manufacturing, transporting, or distributing medical cannabis collectively or cooperatively in full compliance with any applicable local ordinance to continue to do so unless the licensee's application has been approved or denied, but not later than 90 days after the authority begins accepting applications for regular licenses.
Beginning July 1, 2017, all commercial cannabis activity shall be conducted between licensees of commercial cannabis activity pursuant to the Act, except as specified.
Enforcement
Requires state agencies to collaborate with local agencies, and local agencies, within the scope of their jurisdiction, and to the extent resources are available, to assist state agencies in the enforcement of the Act, as specified.
Requires regulations to set forth the inspection and enforcement responsibilities of the ABC, CDPH, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, Department of Water Resources, and CDFA associated with the Act.
Requires the regulatory authority to enter into an interagency agreement with the ABC, the DCA, the Division of Labor Standards and Enforcement, the Department of Water Resources, the CDPH, and the CDFA setting forth the duties of those agencies under the Act and providing for reimbursement to the appropriate state and local authorities of associated costs from revenues deposited into the fees account of the fund.
Provides that the regulatory directors and the persons employed by the regulatory authorities for the administration and enforcement of the Act are peace officers in the enforcement of the penal provisions of the Act, the rules of the division adopted under the Act, and any other penal provisions of law in the state prohibiting or regulating the cultivation, processing, storing, manufacturing, testing, transporting, or selling of medical cannabis, and these persons are authorized, while acting as peace officers, to enforce any penal provisions of state law while in the course of their employment.
Provides that regulatory directors, persons employed by regulatory authorities, and peace officers, as specified, while acting in the course and scope of their employment as peace officers, may, in enforcing this chapter, visit and inspect the premises of any licensee at any time during which the licensee is acting pursuant to the mandatory commercial license.
Provides that the actions of a licensee that are within the scope of the license issued pursuant to the Act and the regulations adopted pursuant to the authority granted by the Act are not unlawful under state law and shall not be an offense subject to arrest, prosecution, or other sanction under state law, or subject to a civil fine.
Provides that conduct within the scope of a license but not fully in compliance with this chapter shall not be subject to the enforcement provisions of the Act and shall not be subject to the penal provisions generally prohibited cannabis-related activity, unless and until the license is revoked.
Requires each regulatory authority to work in conjunction with law enforcement agencies for the purposes of implementing, administering, and enforcing the Act and the Division's regulations and taking appropriate action against licensees and others who fail to comply with the Act or regulations adopted pursuant to the Act.
Provides that nothing in the Act, or other related laws, shall prevent a local government from adopting or enforcing a zoning ordinance or other law, ordinance, or regulation that regulates the location, operation, or establishment of a license or other person that engages in commercial cannabis activity.
Provides that if a person engages in commercial cannabis activity and operates an unlicensed facility, building, structure, or location in violation of the Act is subject to unspecified civil penalties.
Requires a state or local agency to immediately notify the Division of any violations or arrests made for violations over which the Division has jurisdiction which involve a licensee or licensed premises.
Authorizes a local government to impose a temporary local suspension of the license of a commercial licensee for up to 30 days for violations of the Act, and may impose a subsequent temporary local suspension of the license for the same violation until the regulatory authority's investigation and all appeals are complete.
Medical Cannabis Control Fund
Establishes the Medical Cannabis Control Fund within the State Treasury.
Provides that all fees collected under the Act be deposited into the fees account, which shall be established within the fund and continuously appropriated to the Division solely for the purposes of fully funding and administering the Act, including the costs incurred by the Division for its administrative expenses and costs and the costs of all regulatory authorization, as specified.
Requires all monies collected under the Act as fines or penalties be deposited into the fines and penalties account, which shall be available, upon appropriation, for purposes of funding the enforcement grant program.
Requires the regulatory authorizes to collaboratively establish and administer a grant program to allocate moneys from the fines and penalties account to state and local entities for the purpose of assisting with medical cannabis regulation and the enforcement of the Act and other state and local laws.
Requires the total fees charged pursuant to the Act to be sufficient to pay the costs associated with the administrative and enforcement duties of the Division and of the associated state agencies in administering the Act.
Health and Safety Standards
Requires the Department of Transportation to conduct research regarding determining whether a driver is operating a vehicle under the influence of cannabis, and to develop protocols setting forth best practices to assist law enforcement agencies.
Requires regulations on the cultivation of medical cannabis to:
Require the licensee to comply with all regulations of the CDFA pursuant to the Act regarding the cultivation of medical cannabis and any other applicable requirements of the Division pursuant to the Act.
Requires licensees to track all cannabis products and report to the Division.
Requires all medical cannabis to be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed pursuant to the Act prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary.
Requires regulations on the testing of medical cannabis to:
Prohibit a testing licensee from receiving medical cannabis products except through a regulatory authority or licensee.
Prohibit a licensee from being licensed for any other activity authorized under licensing provisions, and from holding an ownership interest in any property or assets associated or used in any other license category.
Requires regulations on the manufacturing of medical cannabis to:
Require the manufacturing licensee to comply with all regulations of the CDPH regarding the cultivation of medical cannabis and any other applicable requirement of the Division.
Require licensees to track all cannabis products and report to the Division.
Require all manufactured medical cannabis and medical cannabis products to be tested by a laboratory that is certified and licensed pursuant to the Act prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary.
Requires regulations on the dispensing of medical cannabis to:
Require the dispensary licensee to comply with all regulations of the Division regarding the dispensary of medical cannabis and any other applicable requirements of the Division pursuant to the Act.
Allow dispensary licensees to store limited quantities of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products for commercial purposes pursuant to the act.
Allow all non-mobile, non-vehicular, and non-Internet-based dispensaries to be licensed to transport medical cannabis and medical cannabis products directly to consumers.
Require all mobile, vehicular and Internet-based dispensaries to maintain a business contract with a non-vehicular and non-mobile dispensary, and report all records of commercial activity to that entity.
Require licensees to track all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products and report to the Division.
Require that, upon receipt of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products, the dispensary licensee shall request and record evidence that the product has been tested by a laboratory that has been certified and licensed.
Requires regulations for the wholesale of medical cannabis to:
Require all wholesale licensees to comply with all regulations of the Division regarding the wholesale storage and distribution of medical cannabis.
Establish criteria for the qualifications, including maximum amounts of medical cannabis that can be stored.
Require that all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products be tested by the wholesale licensee prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary.
Requires licensees to track all medical cannabis and medical cannabis products and report to the Division.
Recordkeeping, Security, and Transportation Standards.
Requires a licensee to keep accurate records of the specific commercial cannabis activity conducted by the licensee, as specified.
Authorizes the division to make any examination of the books and records of any licensee and to inspect and visit the premises of the licensee, and if a licensee or its employee refuses or impedes an inspection, or fails to maintain the books or records, the license may be summarily suspended, as specified.
Requires all cultivation, dispensing, and retail sales licensees to be subject to an annual audit by the State Auditor in order to ensure proper documentation is kept at each site or facility.
Requires a licensee authorized to transport medical cannabis and medical cannabis products to:
Prior to transport, complete an electronic shipping manifest, as prescribed by the Division, and to securely transmit the manifest to the Division and the licensee that will receive the shipment.
During transportation, maintain a physical copy of the shipping manifest and make it available to agents of the Division, local law enforcement, or any other designated enforcement agency.
Requires a licensee receiving the shipment to maintain each electronic shipping manifest and make it available to agents of the Division, local law enforcement, or any other designated enforcement agency and submit to the Division a record verifying receipt of the shipment and details of the shipment.
Requires transported medical cannabis or medical cannabis products worth more than $500 dollars at retail to be transported only in secured storage compartments, as specified.
Requires, for licensees transporting medical cannabis with a retail value of over $5,000, transport vehicles to be staffed with a minimum of two employees.
Taxation
Authorizes the regulatory authorities to assist state taxation authorities in the development of uniform policies for the state taxation of mandatory commercial licensees.
Requires licensees to obtain a seller's permit from the Board of Equalization to validate the authority of the licensee to sell medical cannabis or medical cannabis products to another licensee.
Requires licensees to obtain a resale certificate upon the sale of medical cannabis or medical cannabis to another licensee, to track the quantities exchanged.
Authorizes the Board of Supervisors in any county to impose, by ordinance, a tax on the privilege of cultivating, dispensing, producing, processing, preparing, storing, providing, donating, selling or distributing cannabis by a licensee, as specified.
Labor Provisions.
Requires the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (Division) to:
Maintain minimum standards for the competency and training of employees of licensed cultivator or dispensary through a system of testing and certification;
Establish registration fees in an amount reasonably necessary to implement this article, not to exceed $25 for initial registration.
By January 1, 2017, develop a certification program for cannabis employees, and commencing January 1, 2019, require certification for all persons who perform work as cannabis employees, except as specified.
By January 1, 2017, convene an advisory committee to evaluate whether there is a need to develop industry-specific regulations related to the activities of licensees.
By July 1, 2017, require the advisory committee to present its findings and recommendations to the Board of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health in the Department of Industrial Relations, and requires the Board to render a decision regarding the adopting of these regulations.
Beginning January 1, 2019, establishes additional grounds for disciplinary proceedings, including suspension or revocation of a license issued under the Act, as specified, and requires the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to refer cases to the appropriate regulatory authority when it is determined that a violation has occurred, as specified, and requires the regulatory authority to open an investigation and take disciplinary action within 60 days of receipt of the referral.
Requires the Division of Apprenticeship Standards to investigate, approve, or reject applications for apprenticeship programs for employees of a licensed cultivator or dispensary, as specified.
Physician Provisions
Requires the MBC to prioritize cases involving physicians who recommend marijuana to patients for medical purposes without a good faith prior examination of the patient and medical reason therefor.
Makes it unprofessional conduct to prescribe or recommend marijuana to a patient for a medical purpose without an appropriate prior examination and a medical indication, or to be employed by, or have an agreement with, a mandatory commercial licensee acting pursuant to the Act or a dispensary to provide recommendations for medical marijuana.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill is keyed fiscal by the Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS
Purpose. This bill is author-sponsored. According to the author: "In 1996, California made history by becoming the first state in the nation to allow the use of medical cannabis after voters approved Proposition 215. However, in the past two decades, California has fallen behind the nation and failed to implement a comprehensive licensing and regulatory structure to ensure patient access and protect our environment, public safety, and public health. AB 34 would fulfill the promise made to the people of California back in 1996 by creating the structure in which patients can safely exercise their right to medical cannabis. AB 34 approaches regulation of medical cannabis with one core method—apply existing regulatory frameworks to this new industry while adapting for the unique and historical circumstances surrounding medical cannabis. To this end, the bill divides the licensing structure among multiple agencies that have expertise in various industries that have similarities to that of medical cannabis, in addition to requiring these agencies to promulgate appropriate regulations for the medical cannabis industry. AB 34 also ensures that all licensees and transactions between them are tracked in order to fight diversion of medical cannabis.
AB 34 recognizes that for too long, cities and counties have been on the leading edge of crafting medical cannabis policies when faced with murky state law and contradictory federal priorities. That is why this bill respects local decisions on the regulation of medical cannabis—including the decision to ban—and incorporates local control throughout the regulatory process, including the issuance and renewal of state licenses. AB 34 protects patients by requiring compliance with stringent regulatory requirements, preserves the environment and protects water resources by building on the existing interagency taskforce work in this field, and ensures that workers in the cannabis industry are treated fairly and receive equal protections under the labor code. AB 34 combines the input of stakeholders throughout the state to create thoughtful, effective regulations that fit within our existing regulatory frameworks for other products, comply with federal goals, and create a better system for the entire life cycle of the medical cannabis treatment."
Background.
The Compassionate Use Act (CUA) and SB 420. In 1996, voters
approved the CUA, which allowed patients and primary caregivers to
obtain and use medical marijuana, as recommended by a physician, and
prohibited physicians from being punished or denied any right or
privilege for making a medical marijuana recommendation to a patient.
In 2003, SB 420 (Vasconcellos), Chapter 875, Statutes of 2003,
established the Medical Marijuana Program (MMP), which allowed
patients and primary caregivers to collectively and cooperatively
cultivate medical marijuana, and established a medical marijuana card
program for patients to use on a voluntary basis. The card can be
used to verify that a patient has authorization to possess, grow,
transport, or use medical marijuana in California, and that a
caregiver has authorization to possess, grow, and transport medical
marijuana in California. The MMP facilitates the registration of
qualified patients and their caregivers through a statewide
identification system, and qualified patients and their caregivers
may apply for and be issued an identification card through their
county of residence. Upon issuance of the card, it is registered
with an online database which law enforcement can use to verify
whether a card is valid.
Under the MPP, a person is
required to get a recommendation for medical marijuana from an
attending physician, which is defined to mean someone who, “… has
taken responsibility for an aspect of the medical care, treatment,
diagnosis, counseling, or referral of a patient and who has conducted
a medical examination of that patient before recording in the
patient’s medical record the physician’s assessment of whether
the patient has a serious medical condition and whether the medical
use of marijuana is appropriate.” Written documentation of this
recommendation is required to be submitted to the county in order to
receive a medical marijuana card. Since Proposition 215 and SB 420,
however, the state has not adopted a framework to provide for
appropriate licensure and regulation of medical marijuana. As a
result, in the nearly 20 years since the passage of Proposition 215,
there has been an explosion of medical marijuana collectives and
cooperatives that are largely left to the enforcement of local
governments, resulting in a patchwork for regulations for these
industries and with little statewide involvement.
The
California Attorney General's Compassionate Use Guidelines. SB
420 required the California Attorney General to "develop and
adopt appropriate guidelines to ensure the security and non-diversion
of marijuana grown for medical use by patients qualified under the
Compassionate Use Act of 1996.” In 2008, the Attorney General
issued guidelines to: 1) ensure that marijuana grown for medical
purposes remains secure and does not find its way to non-patients or
illicit markets, 2) help law enforcement agencies perform their
duties effectively and in accordance with California law, and 3) help
patients and primary caregivers understand how they may cultivate,
transport, possess, and use medical marijuana under California law.
According to a 2011 letter, after a series of meeting with
stakeholders to assess whether to clarify the 2008 guidelines to stop
the exploitation of California's medical marijuana laws by gangs,
criminal enterprises, and others, the Attorney General decided to
postpone the issuance of new guidelines because of pending litigation
and to urge the Legislature to amend the law to establish clear rules
governing access to medical marijuana.
California
Supreme Court Affirms Local Control Over Medical Marijuana. By
exempting qualified patients and caregivers from prosecution for
using or from collectively or cooperatively cultivating medical
marijuana, the CUA and the MPP essentially authorized the collective
and cooperative system for medical marijuana. These laws have
triggered the growth of medical marijuana dispensaries in many
localities, and in response, local governments have sought to
exercise their police powers to regulate or ban activities relating
to medical marijuana. After numerous court cases and years of
uncertainty relating to the ability of local governments to control
medical marijuana activities, particularly relating to the ability to
control the zoning, operation, and existence of medical marijuana
dispensaries, the California Supreme Court, in City of Riverside
v. Inland Empire Patients (2013) 56 Cal.4th 729, held that
California's medical marijuana statutes do not preempt a local ban on
facilities that distribute medical marijuana. The court held that
nothing in the CUA or the MMP expressly or impliedly limited the
inherent authority of a local jurisdiction, by its own ordinances, to
regulate the use of its land, including the authority to provide that
facilities for the distribution of medical marijuana will not be
permitted to operate within its borders.
Federal
Controlled Substances Act. Despite the CUA and SB 420, marijuana
is still illegal under state and federal law. Under California law,
marijuana is listed as a hallucinogenic substance in Schedule I of
the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Yet, the CUA
prohibits prosecution for obtaining, distributing, or using marijuana
for medical purposes. However, under the federal Controlled
Substances Act, it is unlawful for any person to manufacture,
distribute, dispense or possess a controlled substance, including
marijuana, whether or not it is for a medical purpose. As a result,
patients, caregivers, and dispensary operators who engage in
activities relating to medical marijuana may still vulnerable to
federal arrest and prosecution. According to the California Attorney
General's guidelines, the difference between state and federal law
gives rise to confusion. However, California has tried to avoid this
conflict not by legalizing medical marijuana, but by deciding not to
use the state's powers to punish certain marijuana offenses under
state law when a physician has recommended its use to treat a serious
medical condition.
U.S. Department of Justice (US
DOJ) Guidance Regarding Marijuana Enforcement. On August 29,
2013, the US DOJ issued a memorandum (Cole Memo) that updated its
guidance to all U.S. Attorneys in light of state ballot initiatives
to legalize under state law the possession of small amounts of
marijuana and provide for the regulation of marijuana production,
processing, and sale. While the memorandum noted that illegal
distribution and sale of marijuana is a serious crime that provides a
significant source of revenue to large-scale criminal enterprises,
gangs, and cartels, it also noted that the US DOJ is committed to
using its limited investigative and prosecutorial resources to
address the most significant threats, which include: preventing
distribution to minors; preventing revenue from marijuana from going
to criminal enterprises; preventing diversion to other states where
marijuana is not legal under state law; preventing state-authorized
marijuana from being a cover for trafficking in other illegal drugs
or illegal activity; preventing violence in cultivating and
distributing marijuana; preventing drugged driving and other public
health problems from marijuana use; and preventing growing,
possessing or using marijuana on public lands or on federal property.
According to the US DOJ, "In jurisdictions that
have enacted laws legalizing marijuana in some form and that have
also implemented strong and effective regulatory and enforcement
systems to control the cultivation, distribution, sale, and
possession of marijuana, conduct in compliance with those laws and
regulations is less likely to threaten the federal priorities set
forth above…In those circumstances, consistent with the traditional
allocation of federal-state efforts in this area, enforcement of
state law by state and local law enforcement and regulatory bodies
should remain the primary means of addressing marijuana-related
activity."
Medical Marijuana Industry in California. According to the author's Sunrise Questionnaire, there are no feasible means to quantify the total number of medical cannabis practitioners in California due to the unregulated nature of the industry. In addition, although California has exercised its traditional power to regulate the practice of medicine and has determined that marijuana has medicinal properties that play a significant role in medicine, marijuana is currently listed as a Schedule I drug under federal law; therefore it has been difficult for California practitioners within the field of medicinal cannabis to work under standard business practices without risking action from federal enforcement authorities.
However, according to the Emerald Growers Association, there are an estimated 30,000 cultivation sites alone in the tri-county area of Humboldt-Mendocino-Trinity. According to numerous estimates, the California cannabis industry is in the billions of dollars, and there are a reported 1.5 million medical cannabis patients.
Need for Regulation. California has recognized the medicinal value of cannabis and therefore all industry practices relating to providing medical cannabis for the treatment of medical conditions for qualified patients should be allowed under state law. However, according to the author, in the nearly two decades since the passage of Proposition 215, it is clear that California remains very much in the Wild West of medical marijuana.
Due to the lack of statewide regulations, practitioners within the medical cannabis industry create their own standards (e.g., labeling, potency, quality assurance, content, dosage etc.). While certain partners within the industry may collaborate with each other, there is no statewide standard for practitioners to make professional judgments of consequence. The lack of regulations results in practitioners making these decisions on a daily basis during their business practices. The consequences can be that some products either do not meet or exceed current standards for other similar products within related industries. For example, some manufactured edible cannabis products that are being sold to patients may not have gone through the same stringent food retail and safety standards as other foods, which may risk harm for consumers. While some facilities may test their products for mold, pesticides, or contaminants, without licensing or certification standards for that testing, the same product at two different locations can yield vastly different results, which pose risk of harm to consumers, especially when dealing with patients who may be immunosuppressed or otherwise vulnerable. In addition, medical cannabis cultivation has recently received significant attention within the media because of its utilization of scarce water supplies in the midst of a drought and associated environmental impacts from water diversion and pesticide use. The author's proposed regulatory structure would fund enforcement of existing standards, while also requiring legitimate licensees to comply with state and local environmental regulations.
Due to the lack of regulation, some actors have also been encouraged to operate at the edge of the law and in the grey area between state and federal rules. This has reduced consumer protections, worker protections, impacted business operations, and even banking services, to name just a few areas which have been harmed by regulatory uncertainty. Furthermore, the lack of statewide standards regarding suitability for receiving a license, when combined with a patchwork of local ordinances that have made it difficult for legitimate operators to engage in business above board, and provided a competitive advantage to the black market operators. Without such standards, there are no market controls, and no standards for consume protection. While there have been some moves towards self-regulation, such as the development of testing laboratories which work solely on medical cannabis, by and large the legal uncertainty has severely hindered protection of the public welfare. There is also the harm and the threat of federal action looming over California patients and practitioners until the state has enacted the comprehensive and robust regulatory system as demanded in the Cole Memo described above. Until such a comprehensive regulatory scheme is enacted, the medical marijuana industry will continue to swing between two unacceptable extremes of having no oversight or regulations, to being subject to federal action despite compliance with local laws. According to the author, only comprehensive, rigorous regulations for medical cannabis will overcome potential harm to consumers and the industry.
AB 34 Licensing and Regulatory Framework. This bill will address the above concerns by doing all of the following:
Establishing a comprehensive licensure and regulatory scheme for medical cannabis activities, including for dispensaries, wholesalers, manufacturers, and testing laboratories, including minimum standards for operation.
Requires the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement to lead all state and local authorities regarding the tracking of medical cannabis, medical cannabis products and licensees.
Establishes standards for manufacturers, testing, and certification of testing laboratories for medical cannabis, including establishing product labeling and packaging standards for cannabis products, and establishing consumer protection, food and product safety requirements, including those relating to dosage and sanitation, and testing for potency and for bacteria, yeast, and mold.
Establishes standards for cultivators, including meeting regulations to ensure that commercial cannabis activity does not threaten the state’s clean water and environment.
Ensures patient access to care by establishing a provisional license program, continuing to exempt patients and caregivers, and establishing tiered licensing schemes to accommodate different levels and types of activities.
Maintains local authority by prohibiting persons from engaging in commercial cannabis activity unless the person obtains permission from local authorities.
Establishes a grant program to allocate monies to state and local entities for purposes of assisting with regulation and enforcement.
According to the author, while many of these standards are for the health and safety of the public, arguably if all were implemented it would go beyond freedom from harm and instead improve the lives of patients and the public. These proposals would also allow a vast and economically vibrant industry to thrive in a regulated fashion protected from the federal government. The economic benefits from this regulation—stimulating the local and state economy, providing significant tax revenues, and helping patients live more productive lives—are above and beyond the protections provided by these regulations.
Marijuana Frameworks Established in Other States. California is the only state that permits for medical marijuana in the absence of a robust state-wide regulatory system. The following states have state-wide medical marijuana regulatory systems: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Washington DC, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada; New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. In addition, Colorado, Washington and Oregon have established recreational marijuana licensing schemes.
Both Washington and Colorado have created systems of legal production and sale, subject to licensing, regulation and taxation. However, the laws impose different industry structures and build on their existing medical systems in different ways. Colorado allows entrepreneurs to produce cannabis and sell it at retail, and such businesses are, at least initially, required to produce the majority of the pot they sell (vertical integration), while Washington state maintains clear separation between pot growers, processors and retailers (horizontal integration). Both models seek to, however, reduce diversion and increase accountability. In addition, the commercial market in Washington is supervised by the Washington State Liquor Control Board, while Colorado’s law vests authority to regulate the commercial market in the newly created Marijuana Enforcement Division of the Department of Revenue. Colorado's medical marijuana program is also under that Division – prior to the recreational initiative, the Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division was regulating that part of the market.
According to the Brookings Institution, since the early 1990s, U.S. public opinion has trended in favor of marijuana legalization. Currently, a majority of Americans support legalization by a margin of seven points—52 percent to 45 percent, according to findings from a Pew Research Center survey in March 2013. Support for marijuana legalization has risen sharply since 2010, by 11 percentage points. This increasing support for marijuana legalization is present in California as well, with recent polls showing that a majority of Californians support marijuana legalization. There are an estimated four different marijuana initiatives attempting to qualify for the 2016 ballot. In order for any marijuana scheme to be effective, it should address all parts of the industry, including establishing a robust licensing and regulatory scheme, a taxation scheme, incorporate health and safety standards, in addition to ensuring that the public is protected; however, if the measure is too prescriptive, it may hamper the ability to address any unintended consequences or fill in any policy gaps without having to go back to the ballot. As a result, if the State is able to create a comprehensive framework for medical marijuana, it may also serve a dual role by serving as a basis for a recreational marijuana scheme.
Current Related Legislation. AB 26 (Jones-Sawyer) of the current legislative session, would enact the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act to license and regulate medical cannabis, and would create the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to administer the act. (STATUS: This bill is in the Assembly Business and Professions Committee.)
AB 34 (Bonta) of the current legislation, session would enact the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act to license and regulate medical cannabis, and would establish the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to administer the act. (STATUS: This bill is in the Assembly Business and Professions Committee.)
AB 243 (Wood) of the current legislation session, would require all medical marijuana cultivation (MMC) to be conducted in accordance with state and local laws and best practices, as specified, and would require state agencies to address environmental impacts of MMC and coordinate with local governments in enforcement efforts, and establishes a MMC permitting system. (STATUS: This bill is in the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee.)
SB 673 (McGuire) of the current legislation session, would establish within the Department of Consumer Affairs a Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation, under the supervision and control of the Chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation, and would require the bureau to license and regulate dispensing facilities, cultivation sites, transporters, and manufacturers of medical marijuana and medical marijuana products, subject to local ordinances, and enforced primarily at the local level. (STATUS: This bill is in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee.)
Prior Related Legislation. AB 1262 (Correa) of 2014, would have established a licensing and regulatory framework for the cultivation, processing, transportation, testing, recommendation and sale of medical marijuana to be administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and enforced primarily at the local level. (NOTE: This bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.)
AB 1894 (Ammiano) of 2014, would have enacted the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Control Act to license and regulate the cultivation, manufacture, testing, transportation, storage, distribution, and sale of medical cannabis, and would create the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. (NOTE: This bill was held on the Assembly Floor.)
AB 473 (Ammiano) of 2013, would have enacted the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Control Act to license and regulate the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, transportation, distribution, and sales of medical marijuana and medical marijuana products, and would create the Division of Medical Marijuana Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. (NOTE: This bill was held on the Assembly Floor.)
AB 604 (Ammiano) of 2013, would have enacted the Medical Cannabis
Regulation and Control Act to license and regulate the cultivation,
manufacture, testing, transportation, storage, distribution, and sale
of medical cannabis, and would create the Division of Medical
Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within ABC. (NOTE: This bill
was held in the Senate Public Safety Committee.)
AB
2312 (Ammiano) of 2012, would have established the Medical Marijuana
Regulation and Control Act, authorizing local taxes on medical
cannabis and creating a board to regulate the medical cannabis
industry. (NOTE: This bill was held in the Senate Committee on
Business, Professions and Economic Development.)
SB
1182 (Leno) of 2012, would have provided that a cooperative or
collective that operates within the Attorney General's (AG)
guidelines shall not be subject to prosecution for marijuana
possession or commerce, as specified. (NOTE: This bill was held
on the Senate Floor.)
AB 1300 (Blumenfield), Chapter
196, Statutes of 2011, provided that a local government entity may
enact an ordinance regulating the location, operation or
establishment of a medical marijuana cooperative or collective;
authorizes local government entities to enforce such ordinances
through civil or criminal remedies and actions; and authorizes a
local government entity to enact any ordinance that is consistent
with the Medical Marijuana Program.
SB 626
(Calderon) of 2011 would have required the Board of Equalization
(BOE) to establish a nine-member task force to conduct a study to
determine ways to enhance collections of sales and use taxes on
retail sales of marijuana and ensure proper regulation of the
cultivation, transportation, and distribution of marijuana and
marijuana products. (NOTE: This bill was held in the Senate
Appropriations Committee.)
AB 390 (Ammiano) of 2009,
would have legalized the possession, sale, cultivation and other
conduct relating to marijuana and required the Department of
Alcoholic Beverage Control to administer and enforce the terms of
legalized marijuana. (NOTE: This bill was held in the Assembly
Health Committee.)
SB 420 (Vasconcellos), Chapter 875,
Statutes of 2003, established the Medical Marijuana Program Act, a
statewide, voluntary program for the issuance of identification cards
to identify persons authorized to engage in the medical use of
marijuana under the Compassionate Use Act.
Proposition
215, of the November 1996 General Election, prohibits prosecution for
the possession and cultivation of cannabis by a patient or a
patient's primary caregiver with a physician's written or oral
recommendation.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT
The Emerald Growers Association writes in support, "The bill takes a measured approach to this complex public policy challenge. AB 34 identifies regulatory agencies, calls on those agencies to develop a system of licensure, and – most importantly from our perspective—calls on the [CDFA] to take a lead role regulating cultivation….By referring many of the specific details to future legislation and regulatory processes, this bill empowers stakeholders to form stronger relationships and gain a deeper understanding of other perspectives…There is no other major industry in CA that is regulated entirely by one agency and past attempts to fit the entire industry into the oversight of a single industry have failed. The multi-agency approach ensures that agencies are only responsible for regulating things they are capable of regulating….[This bill] calls on the regulatory authorities to establish a tiered licensing scheme to accommodate the different levels and types of activity to be licensed. This will create opportunities for small, medium, and large businesses to participate in the regulated industry and ensure the most expeditious transition to regulation with minimum disruption to regional economies."
United Food and Commercial Workers Union writes a letter in support and states, "a 'cannabis worker apprenticeship program and certification program' will ensure the rights of workers are protected, health and safety standards are maintained and ongoing product knowledge and skills development are sustained with consistency throughout the cannabis industry similar to pharmacy laboratory technicians, nursing assistants, dental hygienists, physical therapists, and cosmetologists."
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION
The League of California Cities writes in opposition: "Despite provisions in the bill appearing to uphold local regulations, the bill also contains provisions that clearly undermine the power of local ordinances, setting the stage for future litigation on this issue, should this measure be enacted unchanged….[C]onflicting provisions raise the question of whether AB 34 is serious about upholding local control in the context of a regulatory scheme for medical marijuana. First, this measure places the [ABC] in overall charge of the regulatory scheme…As a matter of policy, the League is convinced that in a state the size of California, no state agency should have the primary role of enforcement in the field of marijuana regulation – the cost to the state will be excessive and the enforcement in too many instances will be neither timely nor sufficient ….Second, there is no local licensing under AB 34's regulatory scheme…Third, AB 34 authorizes locals to temporarily suspend a license, but the authorization flows from ABC…Fourth,…language calls into question the validity of pre-existing local bans….Each of these provisions sets the stage for future litigation, pitting local governments against the state, and against industry participants who have attempted to set up shop in many of our cities in direct violation of local ordinances."
The California Police Chiefs Association writes in opposition: "[W]e do not believe that the ABC is an appropriate administrative department for medical marijuana regulation. We have serious concerns regarding the efficacy of state enforcement and instead advocate for an enforcement structure based off of local enforcement with state enforcement being secondary. Furthermore, we do not believe that an agency with profound experience in recreational substance has the appropriate expertise to regulate a medical product…We believed that AB 34 as currently constructed, erodes the authority of cities and counties to prohibit medical marijuana operations in their jurisdiction…AB 34 appears to downgrade drug trafficking to a misdemeanor…"
POLICY ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION:
This bill would establish a novel licensing and regulatory scheme for medical cannabis, which covers nearly every aspect of the medical cannabis industry, from seed to sale. To accomplish this scheme, the bill creates three new divisions within three different state departments, and carves out the responsibilities and jurisdiction of each one. Wholesalers and dispensaries are licensed under the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement (DMCRE), under the ABC; manufacturers and testing laboratories are under the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing (DMCMT), under the CDPH; and cultivators are licensed under the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation under the CDFA, all collectively known as the "regulatory authorities." Each of these newly-created divisions have myriad duties involved in this comprehensive new scheme, which include establishing new standards for licensure, in addition to comprehensive health and safety and environmental standards. Each division is responsible for enforcement of their respective areas. As would be expected for any new regulatory program of this scale and scope, let alone three new programs, a number of outstanding issues and overarching concerns should be addressed to ensure that this framework has the greatest chance of success, the key of which is likely to be coordination and collaboration among the regulatory authorities.
In addition, successful implementation of any medical cannabis program will require strong leadership and involvement from the Administration to prioritize implementation so that it meets federal guidance and prevents the potential for illegitimate activities; to coordinate efforts among all regulatory authorities and other state entities that will play a role in establishing a robust and effective licensing and regulatory framework; and to ensure that all of the regulatory authorities will have sufficient resources to ensure that staffing and other needs will be met.
Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement (DMCRE) Under the ABC. ABC has the exclusive right and power to license and regulate the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. ABC is authorized 427 positions, organized into three major division and twenty-four district offices, to regulate the 87,112 ABC-licensed businesses. The licensing section investigates all applicants and proposed business locations to ensure they meet minimum qualifications, and may examine police problems, over concentration of licensed premises in the area, and the possible impact the proposed business will have on nearby residences, churches, schools, and hospitals. Currently, the ABC has over seventy licensing categories that are established in statute. While most of the ABC authority for licensure and enforcement is explicit in statute, the ABC has the authority to promulgate rules to effectively implement its mission and purpose.
ABC agents are peace officers and are empowered to investigate and make arrests for violations that occur on or about licensed premises. The ABC employs various methods of enforcement, often collaborating with other agencies to enforce the provisions in the ABC Act including minor-decoy operations, fake identification stings known as "Operation Trapdoor," and complaint-driven investigations. Agents are further empowered to enforce any penal provisions of the law any place in the State. However, the ABC relies on local law enforcement to police the provisions within the ABC Act for approximately 40-50% of its enforcement functions. Regardless of the agency filing the violation, licensees who violate state laws or local ordinances are subject to disciplinary action and may have their licenses suspended or revoked. These licensees are entitled to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge and an appellate process to the State Supreme Court.
While it appears that the ABC has an infrastructure in place to support these additional licensing and enforcement activities relating to medical cannabis, the author may wish to consider the extent to which the proposed licensing and enforcement should parallel and be modeled after the licensure and enforcement provisions for alcohol, particularly with regards to local involvement during the licensure process, tiers of licensure categories, and the number of licenses a licensee may ahold across different activities. In addition, the author may wish to specify the type of enforcement the ABC is intended to have, and clarify the role of enforcement and sharing of enforcement responsibility between ABC and local governments, and whether the medical cannabis program should have a similar appeals process.
In addition, the ABC's jurisdiction and operations are primarily guided by statute; the ABC does not promulgate many of its regulations. In light of the ABC's broad new jurisdiction under this bill, the author should continue to build upon the framework in this bill to ensure that the ABC's primary role is in implementing these laws, and not creating policy with respect to these laws. In addition, the author may wish to specify that the DMCRE roles with respect to medical cannabis is to promote patient safety and legitimate access to care.
Laboratory Certification. The DMCMT, under CDPH, would be required to license and regulate manufacturers and testing laboratories, in addition to establishing complex and comprehensive health and safety standards, including standards relating to product labeling, food and product safety requirements, maximum potency for cannabinoids, sanitization standards, and testing standards. Many of these areas build upon the CDPH's existing jurisdiction and areas of expertise. The CDPH operates some licensing and certification programs for food and drugs under its Food and Drug Branch, establishes health and safety standards under the Food Safety Program, and is responsible for promulgating certification regulations and certifies some laboratories.
The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) is a well-respected industry organization that has several accreditation bodies that are considered complaint with ISO/IEC 17011, which is the standard by which accreditation bodies are to operate, and are qualified to attest that a laboratory meets the standards found in ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/EIC 17020 (which is the visual inspection standard). For example, the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation in Maryland is an ILAC-approved accreditation body that has developed a Cannabis Testing Laboratory Program specifically designed to raise the standard in laboratory testing relating to medical marijuana. As a result, the author should consider whether laboratory certification using an outside accreditation body may be a more appropriate or specify that DMCMT may rely upon an outside accreditation body as part of its certification. The licensee could then be charged with using a certified laboratory or face sanctions for failure to comply with the requirement that an accredited laboratory was utilized, thereby limiting the administrative oversight of the division, is appropriate.
Establishing a Taskforce. Because the structure requires multiple new divisions, each with oversight over their respective licensees and possible overlap (because the licensing structure does not limit the number of licensees an entity might have), there will be a need for great communication and collaboration among the regulatory entities and other state and local entities that play a role in licensing and enforcement. For example, if one entity took action against a licensee, that action should be communicated to any other regulatory entity or relevant local entity, and the possibility of joint enforcement actions may be considered. The bill serves to create such communication by, among other things, requiring the DMCRE to serve as a repository of information for all licensees, and requiring such actions to be reported to the DMCRE. In addition, the bill requires regulations that set forth the inspection and enforcement responsibilities of each relevant state entity, and requires the regulatory authorities to enter into an interagency agreement to set forth the duties of those agencies under the Act and provide for reimbursement to the appropriate state and local authorities of associated costs from revenues deposited into the fees account of the fund.
To build upon these efforts to increase communication, ensure a coordinated front, and reduce duplicative efforts, the author may wish to consider establishing a taskforce to clarify the appropriate roles of each state entity, and establish clear communication and information sharing guidelines. Such a taskforce could also bolster each regulatory authorities regulatory efforts by inviting outside expertise, such as including other environmental departments, medical cannabis or industry experts, and local enforcement and licensing entities. Other participants may also include the Board of Equalization and the Attorney General, to help navigate state and federal legal landscapes.
Information Database. The bill would require the DMCRE to lead all state and local authorities regarding the tracking of medical cannabis, medical cannabis products, and licensees pursuant to the Act; maintain a registry of all licensees and records of all licensees; maintain all electronic shipping manifests; and share the above information with state and local law enforcement. Based on the state's spotted history with complex information technology projects, the author should consider working early on with the ABC and other relevant state entities to determine the feasibility, timeline, and cost to establish a database system that would meet these new requirements.
Multiple Licenses. Under the bill, licensees can hold multiple license types, except it cannot combine a testing laboratory with any other license. This approach is similar to Colorado's approach, which initially required "vertical integration," or requires businesses to be involved in all parts of the business to get a license. This approach was thought to initially limit the number of businesses, making it easier to control the market, and allowed additional licensees to enter the market at a later time. Washington, on the other hand, prohibited "vertical integration" and instead only permitted business to get licensed in one stage of production, similar, for the most part, to the alcohol control model. The intent behind that model was to avoid the creation of monopolies, and some also believe that structure makes it harder to licensees to falsify any data. Currently, the bill allows licensees to hold multiple licensees, but does not require a licensee to be involved in all parts of the business; instead, it allows for both types of models. The author may wish to consider the benefits of both approaches, and whether it may be beneficial at some point to limit the number of licensees one can hold.
Use of Peace Officers. The bill provides that regulatory directors and persons employed by the regulatory authorities for the administration and enforcement of the Act are peace officers in the enforcement of the penal provisions of the Act, the rules of the division adopted under the Act, and any other relevant penal provisions. While many state entities use sworn officers, the language in the bill raises the question of whether all persons employed by the divisions for administration and enforcement need to be sworn officers. For example, ABC agents are peace officers and are empowered to investigate and make arrests for violations of the BPC that occur on or about licensed premises, but less complex tasks, such as license applications, are reviewed and processed by non-sworn licensing representatives. The author may wish to clarify that the regulatory authorities also rely on non-sworn personnel.
Enforcement. The bill vests primary responsibility to regulate medical cannabis with the State, and requires each regulatory authority to enforce their own provisions. However, the bill also requires state agencies to collaborate with local agencies, and local agencies, within the scope of their jurisdiction, and to the extent resources are available, to assist state agencies in the enforcement of the Act. In addition, the bill requires the regulatory authorities to collaboratively establish and administer a grant program to allocate moneys from the fines and penalties account to state and local entities for the purpose of assisting with medical cannabis regulation and the enforcement. While the regulatory authorities are clearly tasked with enforcement responsibilities, many of these entities work with local law and code enforcement or local health and agricultural offices to enforce health and safety and other standards. The author may wish to consider clarifying these instances and opportunities for collaboration.
Fund. While the bill authorizes regulatory authorities to establish a fee for provisional licensees, it does not provide any further guidance about how a regulatory authority can support its startup costs. The author may wish to consider whether the state entity housing each new division is able to advance those startup costs as a loan. In addition, the author should consider establishing a separate fee account for each regulatory authority to enable it to deposit fees and penalties it collects and to also draw upon those funds.
Appointments. Currently, the bill requires the Director or Officer of each department to appoint a person to administer the Act under each respective division. However, such appointments are typically made by the Governor. The author may wish to consider whether it may be more appropriate for the Governor to make these appointments.
AMENDMENTS:
Local Control and Licensure. The bill specifically states in numerous provisions that any licensing and regulatory structure established under the bill does not affect a local government's ability to enact or enforce local ordinances pursuant to Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution. However, there are some places in the bill where this local authority could be further clarified; as a result, the author may wish to consider the following amendments:
On page 9, line 20,
strike: exclusive and insert: primary
To clarify the type of documentation required to prove that an applicant for state licensure has obtained local permission in accordance with the Act, the author may wish to specify that the documentation shall be issued by the local authority:
On page 30, line 11, after "shall" insert: shall be issued by the local authority and
The author may wish to specify that a city or county may impose a temporary local suspension of a licensee not only for a violation of the Act, but also for a local ordinance, and clarify that the ability to impose a temporary local suspension does not limit a local government's authority to take other enforcement action.
Section 26066(e): (e) A city, county, or city and county to may impose a temporary local suspension of the license of a commercial licensee for up to 30 days for violations of this chapter or local ordinance. The regulatory authority shall promptly cause an investigation to be made as to whether grounds exist for continued suspension or revocation of the license. If the regulatory authority has not completed its investigation or disciplinary action within 30 days, a city, county, or city and county may impose a subsequent temporary local suspension of the license of a commercial licensee for the same violation until the regulatory authority’s investigation, suspension or revocation, and all appeals to that suspension or revocation are complete. This subdivision shall not limit a city, county, or city and county's authority to enforce other laws or ordinances pursuant to the authority granted by Section 7 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
.
Existing law provides that the immunity that applies to qualified patients and primary caregivers who "collectively or cooperatively" associate to cultivate medical marijuana shall not solely on the basis of that fact be subject to specified criminal sanctions. The bill provides that six months after the issuance of provisional licenses pursuant to the Act, this immunity shall no longer be available to licensees under the Act, who are specifically provided immunity under Section 26049. To clarify, however, that the existing exemption for collectives and cooperatives also does not extend beyond that time, the author may wish to consider making the following changes:
On page 46, line 26, insert: Subject to subdivision (b),
On page 46, line 38, after "act" insert: or to any persons who collectively or cooperatively cultivate marijuana for medical purposes
Because California law prohibits any medical marijuana facility from being located closer than 600 feet to a school, the author may wish to consider providing evidence of meeting this requirement as part of the licensure process, to quickly eliminate facilities that are not operating in accordance with existing law.
On page 31, line 24, after "location" insert: including, if the proposed facility is a cultivator or a dispensary, that the proposed facility is located beyond at least a 600-foot radius from a school,
This bill seeks to provide some flexibility to a regulatory authority when determining whether a license may be denied by allowing the regulatory authority to place reasonable conditions upon licensure to address any concerns. However, the bill does not prohibit the waiver of a specified condition, Section 26040(b)(6), which deals with security requirements. Upon discussion with the author's office, the reference was intended to refer to Section 26047(e)(10), which prohibits licensure if an applicant has been sanctioned for unlicensed medical cannabis activities or has had a licensed revoked. The author should make the following change:
On page 33, line 1, strike: paragraph (6) of subdivision (b)
of Section 26040 and insert paragraph (10) of
subdivision (e)
The author may also wish to clarify that the conditions for which a license may be denied also may serve as a reason to suspend or revoke a license.
On page 33, line 4, after "renewal" insert: or suspend or revoke a license.
The author may wish to clarify that a regulatory is only required to issue a provisional license if the applicant meets all of the requirements in those provisions.
On page 37, line 7, after "shall" insert: if the applicant meets all the requirements in this section,"
Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). The DCA issues licenses in dozens of business and professional categories, including doctors, dentists, contractors, cosmetologists and automotive repair facilities. The DCA includes 41 regulatory entities (25 boards, nine bureaus, four committees, two programs, and one commission). These entities establish minimum qualifications and levels of competency for licensure. The DCA's area of expertise includes professional licensure and regulation, primarily of licensed professionals, and the DCA's oversight is typically over fragmented chunks of licensed professionals, as opposed to entire swaths of industries. While the bill currently requires the DCA to play a role under the new licensure and regulatory structure, particularly with respect to the certification and licensing of testing laboratories, this responsibility is not one that is typically within the DCA's purview. As a result, the author may wish to consider eliminating the DCA from the bill.
On page 9, line 40,
strike: the Director of Consumer Affairs,
Recordkeeping and Auditing. Under the bill, the DMCRE would be responsible for, among other things, maintaining a registry of all licensees and a record of all medical cannabis commercial activity. The bill also prohibits licensees from interacting with non-licensed entities. To ensure that licensees will be able to easily determine whether they are engaging with a licensed entity in compliance with the Act, the author may wish to specify that licensees are able to obtain such information.
On page 13, at the end of line 22, add: The division shall make limited licensee information available to a licensee so that it may verify whether it is engaging in commercial cannabis activities with a properly licensed entity.
With regards to auditing requirements, the author may wish to specify that the DMCRE has the discretion to determine the type of annual audit required, instead of requiring the State Auditor to conduct annual audits of all licensees and that licensees are responsible for those audit costs.
On page 35, line 38, strike "by the State Auditor"
and insert: as specified by the regulatory authority,"
and at the end of line 39, insert: The reasonable costs of the
audit shall be paid for by the licensee.
Fees and Funds. Currently, the bill has unspecified amounts for various licensure fees and for fees and penalties. The author may wish to consider specifying that any license fee shall be limited to the reasonable regulatory costs incurred by the regulatory entity, and establishing a penalty based on the amount of the fee.
On page 14, lines 4-5, strike ___dollars ($____) for an
initial application, and line 5 ____dollars ($____) for a renewal
application and insert: the reasonable regulatory
costs to the regulatory authority
On page 14, lines 13-14, strike: be less line 14 than ____
dollars ($____), nor more than ____ dollars ($____) and
insert: exceed the reasonable regulatory costs to the
regulatory authority"
On page 36, line 27, strike ____ dollars ($____) and
insert: the reasonable regulatory costs to the regulatory
authority
On page 40, line 17, strike: ____ dollars ($____)
and insert: two times the amount of the license fee
In addition, the bill currently requires all fees collected pursuant to the Act to be deposited into the fees account, established within the Medical Cannabis Control Fund, to be appropriated to the DMCRE for costs incurred. Because other regulatory entities will also be collecting fees and incurring costs relating to licensees under their respective jurisdiction, the author may wish to specify that the fees may be appropriated to the appropriate regulatory authority. In addition, the author may wish to clarify in the future each specific fee account that should be created to simplify this process.
On page 20, lines 9-10, strike: Division of Medical Cannabis
Regulation and Enforcement and insert: appropriate
regulatory authority
On page 20, line 12, strike: division and insert:
regulatory authority
Duties of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. To make clear that while the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing is the one establishing requirements for testing standards, that cultivation licensees under the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation are still required to follow those standards, the author may wish to add the following provision:
On page 16, line 8, insert: In consultation with the State Department of Public Health, establish testing standards for medical cannabis.
The CDFA is organized into six divisions, which include the Inspection Services Division, which inspects crops to ensure that they are safe, abundant, quality food supply and environmentally sound agricultural practices, and the Division of Measurement Standards, which ensure the accuracy of commercial weighing and measuring devices. This bill specifies various duties under the regulatory entities, including requiring the Division of Medical Cannabis Manufacturing and Testing to, among other things, ensure that cultivation licensees have access to agricultural support programs and conform with weighing or measuring standards and standards controlling the application of pesticides. Because these provisions are typically with the CDFA's jurisdiction, the author should consider reassigning those responsibilities to the Division of Medical Cannabis Cultivation under the CDFA.
On page 17, strike lines 35-39, and on page 18, strike lines 1-5 and lines 30-31.
On page 16, line 8, insert: (e) Ensure cultivation licensees have access to existing agricultural incentive and support programs.
(f) Weighing or measuring standards, including, but not limited to, the requirement that devices used in connection with the sale or distribution of cannabis meet standards equivalent to Division 5 (commencing with Section 12001) of the Business and Professions Code.
(g) Standards controlling the application of pesticides. These standards shall, at a minimum, require that if pesticides are to be used, the use comply with standards equivalent to Division 6 (commencing with Section 11401) of the Food and Agricultural Code and its implementing regulations."
Health, Safety, and Testing Standards. The author may wish to clarify that edible medical cannabis products may be regulated, and do not have to be summarily destroyed as an adulterated product.
On page 17, at the end of line 25, insert: For purposes of this chapter, edible medical cannabis products are deemed to be unadulterated food products.
In addition, the author may wish to consider specifying that in addition to a testing laboratory having to use methods established by the International Organization for Standardization, specifically ISO/IEC 17025, that laboratories should also use ISO/EIC 17020, which is the visual inspection standard.
On page 18, line 29, after "ISO/IEC" insert: 17020 and
In addition, in Section 46041(e)(5), the author may wish to conform testing standards for wholesale licensees with testing standards for other licensees.
(5) Require that all medical cannabis and medical cannabis
products be tested by a laboratory that has been certified and
licensed pursuant to this chapter the wholesale
licensee prior to commercial exchange with a dispensary. If
the licensee has a separate dispensary license, all medical cannabis
and medical cannabis products must be tested by a laboratory that has
been certified and licensed pursuant to this chapter, prior to retail
directly to consumers.
Security Standards. Under the bill, dispensaries are required to "maintain dedicated, licensed security staff both inside and outside the dispensary." Because this requirement might be overly burdensome for small dispensaries, which may not pose as great of a risk, the author may wish to consider the following change:
On page 19, line 20, strike: both inside and outside the
dispensary" and insert: as deemed appropriate by
the division
The bill currently requires the DMCRE to keep a complete record of all entities licensed pursuant to the Act, and to make that record available on the DMCRE's website to state and local law enforcement to verify a mandatory commercial license. To address potential security concerns with publishing sensitive information on online, the author may wish to delete the requirement that the information be provided online.
On page 41, line
15, strike: on the division’s Internet Web site so as
and strike permit
Labeling Standards. The bill would require, among other things, that medical cannabis products, including edibles, be labeled and include specified information, such as a list of cannabinoid content and dosage. Because medicinal cannabis varies in terms of the levels and types of active ingredient, for example, and what it is used for varies among patients, it may be difficult to develop a standard "dosage" for products. As a result, the author may wish to consider clarifying labeling standards with regards to medical marijuana products and requiring products to instead state the amount of cannabinoid per milligrams in each serving, and the total amount in a package. The author should also include a warning to let consumers know that the intoxicating effects of edible medical marijuana products may be delayed to prevent consumers from consuming more than is necessary to alleviate symptoms.
On page 17, lines 1-2, strike: dosage in total milligrams of
cannabinoids delivered, and and insert on line 2, after
"allergens": and the amount in milligrams of
cannabinoids per serving, servings per package, and the amount in
milligrams of cannabinoids in the total package"
REGISTERED SUPPORT:
American Nurses Association\California
Conscious Cannabis Ventures
Emerald Growers Association
Heritage Associates
United Food and Commercial Workers Union
1 owner of a cannabis dispensary
REGISTERED OPPOSITION:
Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs
Association of Deputy District Attorneys
California Association of Code Enforcement Officers
California Narcotics Officers' Association
California Police Chiefs Association
California College and University Police Chiefs Association
California Correctional Supervisors Organization
City of Concord
City of Tulare
Family Winemakers of California
International Faith Based Coalition
League of California Cities
Los Angeles Police Protective League
Riverside Sheriffs Association
Analysis Prepared by: Eunie Linden / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301, Christian Jagusch / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301
Discussed in Hearing
Assembly Standing Committee on Business and Professions
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):