The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has written the proposed regulations to establish cannabis cultivation licensing and a track-and-trace system. This was directed by the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act and the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, and is collectively referred to as CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing.
Just last week, CDFA released the proposed regulations that will define the cannabis cultivation licensing process. This begins a 45-day public comment period and individuals who are interested are encouraged to send feedback and suggestions can be e-mailed to: [email protected]
The last day for the public to submit written comments apart from the public hearings is Monday, June 12, 2017.
Licenses will not be available until 2018, but growers and other interested parties can begin preparing for licensure now by ensuring they are in compliance with all existing regulations. The legislation requires the regulatory agencies to limit the number of Type 3 (Medium Cultivation) and Type 7 (Manufacturer 2 – Volatile Solvents). The legislation does not specify whether there will be limits on the the number of licenses issued for other license types. More information on how to apply for licenses and the different kinds of licenses available can be found via the California Growers Association here.
As reported by New Cannabis Ventures:
The draft regulations represent a starting point for the State to begin to clean up what has become a highly unruly multi-billion-dollar unlicensed industry that is not subject to any regulations at all whatsoever. Although California was the first state to Legalize cannabis in 1996 with the passage of the “Compassionate Use Act” the state never passed any regulations setting forth how cannabis could be produced, distributed and sold to the consumer. As a result, many cities in California faced a proliferation of unlicensed and illegal dispensaries. With the passage of MCRSA and these new regulations California will finally join the 28 other states that have not only legalized medical marijuana but also regulated the industry in a comprehensive manner.
Read here to learn more about this policy change and read the text of the regulations themselves.
