AB 2532: Cannabis: labels, packaging, and advertising.

The Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), an initiative measure approved as Proposition 64 at the November 8, 2016, statewide general election, authorizes a person who obtains a state license under AUMA to engage in commercial adult-use cannabis activity pursuant to that license and applicable local ordinances. The Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA), among other things, consolidates the licensure and regulation of commercial medicinal and adult-use cannabis activities under the jurisdiction of the Department of Cannabis Control, including retail commercial cannabis activity.

MAUCRSA places specified requirements on the packing and labeling of cannabis and cannabis products, including requiring all cannabis and cannabis product labels and inserts to include certain information prominently displayed in a clear and legible fashion, as specified, including a warning if nuts or other known allergens are used.

This bill would require all cannabis and cannabis product labels and inserts for an edible cannabis product or a cannabis beverage to also include the toll-free number for the national Poison Help line. Commencing July 1, 2027, the bill would require the label for a cannabis beverage containing more than one serving to clearly and conspicuously, in print, provide notice to the consumer, as specified.

MAUCRSA requires edible cannabis products to be produced and sold with a standardized concentration of cannabinoids not to exceed 10 milligrams tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per serving. MAUCRSA requires edible cannabis to be delineated or scored into standardized serving sizes if the cannabis product contains more than one serving and is an edible cannabis product in solid form.

Commencing July 1, 2027, this bill would require, if the cannabis product is a cannabis beverage containing more than one serving and the container is transparent, the container to feature unobstructed and conspicuous lines delineating individual serving or portion sizes, except as specified. If the cannabis product is a cannabis beverage containing more than one serving, the bill would require the retailer to offer a consumer at the time of purchase and at no additional charge, a measuring instrument or measuring device, as specified.

MAUCRSA prohibits a person engaged in commercial cannabis activity, whether licensed or unlicensed, from, among other things, advertising or marketing cannabis or cannabis products in a manner intended to encourage persons under 21 years of age to consume cannabis or cannabis products.

This bill, commencing July 1, 2027, would additionally prohibit a person engaged in commercial cannabis activity, whether licensed or unlicensed, from advertising or marketing cannabis beverages containing multiple servings as single-serve products or otherwise encouraging consumption of multiple servings within a cannabis beverage at one time.

AUMA authorizes the Legislature to amend its provisions with a ²/₃ vote of both houses to further its purposes and intent, except as specified.

This bill would declare that its provisions further the purposes and intent of AUMA.