California Cannabis Industry Association

👋 Hey, cannabis community! Are you interested in getting more involved in shaping smart public policy that advances a safe, equitable, sustainable, and well-regulated cannabis market? The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) just opened recruitment for the Cannabis Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC advises on the development of standards and regulations for commercial cannabis businesses, including regulations necessary to protect public health and safety. Applications must be submitted to CAC@cannabis.ca.gov by July 31, 2024, in order to be considered. Check out the link below.

While the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA) is still evaluating the investigative report prepared by Paige St. John and Alex Halperin, and released by the Los Angeles Times, we are deeply concerned by any data that suggests consumer safety is at risk. "California has some of the most stringent cannabis standards in the nation, designed to protect consumer safety and public health. However, the state’s continued failure to enforce against those who fail to comply — both inside and outside of the regulated market — has put the credibility of the entire adult-use market in peril, and now threatens the very consumers we aim to serve. "Due to overly burdensome regulations, high taxes, and a lack of oversight, the state has inadvertently created an environment where bad actors feel compelled to cut corners to compete and survive. This undermines the integrity of the market and compromises consumer safety. "It is the explicit role of a regulator to establish and enforce standards that protect consumer safety. Compliant industries rely on these standards to guide their practices. Given the known safety risks associated with certain pesticides, we would expect the state to implement the strongest protections with which we can effectively comply. "It is equally important to recognize that the findings from this report, based on a limited sample from a few brands, do not represent the industry as a whole. Many reputable operators work tirelessly to ensure the safety of their products, often far exceeding California’s regulatory standards while pioneering innovation across the industry. The actions of a few should not tarnish the efforts of those who are committed to compliance and consumer safety. "CCIA has been calling on policymakers for years to take action to address the thriving illicit market and non-compliant licensees that threaten market integrity and put consumers in harm’s way. Effective policymaking must be accompanied by rigorous compliance and enforcement. We remain committed to collaborating with the governor, the legislature, and all stakeholders to improve enforcement mechanisms, uphold high standards, and ensure that consumers can trust the safety and quality of the legal cannabis products they purchase. #California #Cannabis #ConsumerSafety

🌿 At CCIA, we envision a future where consumers have broad access to cannabinoid-based products — regardless of the source — that are equitably taxed and regulated to protect consumer safety and the cannabis supply chain. We are proud to sponsor #AB2223, which is a big step forward in addressing the integration of two species of the same plant. We were grateful for the opportunity to join Assmblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and other stakeholders in Sacramento yesterday for the UFCW Western States Council Cannabis Lobby Day, to advocate for policies that further California's cannabis industry and protect workers. “Cannabis products are excessively regulated and overtaxed, while intoxicating hemp products remain under-regulated and subject to no special taxes,” said CCIA President Caren Woodson, who also spoke at Tuesday's press conference. “AB 2223 presents an opportunity to reimagine a legal and regulatory framework for cannabinoids in California and beyond.” “As a hemp operator looking for that clarity to expand into cannabinoids, we would want to see a dual-use allowance and a clear integration that allows us to put products into the regulated space,” said Pamela Epstein, Terpene Belt Farms Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer and former CCIA President. Join us to help advance AB 2223. Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry Mark Ramos, UFCW Western States Council and UFCW Local 1428 Lay Lay Lee, Eaze and UFCW Local 5 Tiffany Devitt, CannaCraft and March And Ash Richard Miller, Americans For Safe Access Caren Woodson, California Cannabis Industry Association

🏆 Attention California #Cannabis Brands! The California State Fair Cannabis Awards is hosting its 3rd annual awards program, and this year they’ve expanded the competition to include all of the major cannabis categories! This state-agency sanctioned competition is a historic first in the United States, proudly celebrating the best cannabis producers alongside wine, cheese, olive oil and craft beer. This year the State Fair is expecting 750,000 visitors over a 17-day period, and they’re allowing on-site sales and consumption of award-winning products in designated areas—making this an incredible opportunity to get your brand in front of a massive mainstream audience! The submission window closes on May 17th so don’t wait on your chance to showcase your best-selling products! The competition has partnered with SC Labs and Budist for judging across all categories, and over 100 Gold & Silver Medals will be awarded alongside 9 coveted Golden Bear Trophies, which represent the “Best of California” in each category. Winners will also receive: 🏪 Guaranteed placement at select Embarc stories statewide, putting your medal-worthy products on some of the most valuable retail shelves in California! 🍃 Featured placement on the Budist app in a section dedicated to award winners! 📱 Comprehensive exposure across multiple social media platforms! Don’t miss your chance to participate in the most significant cannabis competition in California history! 👊 ENTER NOW!

🍃 CCIA applauds today’s decision by the Drug Enforcement Administration to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This historic move marks a significant milestone in drug policy reform and underscores an important step towards a more evidence-based approach to cannabis regulation. For more than five decades, cannabis has been unjustly categorized alongside the nation’s most dangerous substances, hindering research opportunities and impeding access to potential therapeutic benefits. This decision not only aligns with the growing body of evidence supporting the medicinal applications of cannabis but also addresses longstanding disparities in drug policy enforcement. Furthermore, rescheduling cannabis carries significant implications for state-legal cannabis businesses, enabling them to access federal tax deductions and fostering a more equitable regulatory environment. It also underscores the need for comprehensive federal reform to address the conflict between state and federal cannabis laws, providing clarity and coherence in the legal landscape. CCIA appreciates the DEA's commitment to evidence-based policymaking and its responsiveness to recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services. We urge the White House Office of Management and Budget to swiftly review the proposed rule, followed by a public comment process. While rescheduling cannabis represents a critical step forward, it is essential to recognize that it does not equate to legalization at the federal level. CCIA remains committed to advocating for comprehensive cannabis reform, including the removal of barriers to research, expungement of non-violent cannabis convictions, and ensuring equitable access to cannabis-related opportunities. We commend the efforts of all stakeholders involved in advancing sensible drug policies and look forward to continued collaboration towards a more just and compassionate approach to cannabis regulation. #cannabis #drugpolicyreform

👏 CCIA applauds Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom, the California Department of Public Health, and the California Department Of Alcohol Beverage Control, for their swift action to protect public safety, preventing Californians — particularly youth — from accessing highly intoxicating and mislabeled hemp products. These unregulated products are rampant across the state, and require urgent solutions. We are proud to be working with Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) to advance #AB2223, to rectify the regulatory disparities between the cannabis and hemp industries. #cannabis #hemp #publicpolicy #youthprevention

📣 California cannabis employers! Have you already completed your Cal/OSHA General Industry Training Requirement? Join California Cannabis Industry Association member John Kossos, MS, CSHO, CSS, SHEP of The Kossos Group, LLC, for this upcoming course at California State University-Dominguez Hills and learn more about cannabis industry health and safety from an OSHA Training Institute (OTI)-authorized provider. This program provides training on the recognition, avoidance, prevention and abatement of safety and health hazards in the cannabis industry, as well as information regarding workers' rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint with Cal/OSHA. Workers can attend 10-hour or 30-hour classes delivered by OSHA-authorized trainers (Cal/OSHA Endorsement). The course begins on April 29, 2024, so register today! 👇 Link below.

👋 WEBINAR ALERT! Join us tomorrow for a deep dive into the data, to better understand the evolving buying habits of cannabis consumers across the State of California. We're so excited to be joined by Amanda Reiman PhD MSW, Chief Knowledge Officer of New Frontier Data, who will share her insights on the market today and where its headed. 👉 RSVP here: bit.ly/catrends

🚨California Legislative Update🚨 We’ve achieved significant milestones over the last two weeks in Sacramento, as two California Cannabis Industry Association-sponsored bills cleared the Assembly Business Professions Committee with unanimous support. 💸 AB 2888, authored by Assemblymember Phil Chen (R-Yorba Linda), addresses critical challenges faced by the cannabis industry, concerning timely payment processes. CCIA President Caren Woodson delivered compelling testimony urging the Committee's approval. "In a market characterized by limited access to banking services and a lack of viable payment channels, the cannabis industry faces substantial hurdles," stated Woodson during the Committee hearing. "AB 2888 is crucial for stabilizing and enforcing timely payment of invoices." 🍃 AB 2223, author by Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar Curry (D-Winters), aims to rectify the regulatory disparities between the cannabis and hemp industries. In her testimony, President Caren Woodson, underscored the urgent need to address systemic challenges faced by the cannabis industry, emphasizing the detrimental impact of unregulated hemp products flooding the market.  "The proliferation of unchecked and duty-free hemp products has reached a fever pitch," remarked Woodson. " AB 2223 lays the important groundwork needed to re-imagine how we regulate cannabinoids for intoxication – regardless of whether they come from cannabis or hemp." Huge thank you to Amy O'Gorman Jenkins for her continued advocacy and leadership on behalf of CCIA and the industry. #cannabis #advocacy

It's been almost eight years since the passage of Proposition 64, but the legal #cannabis industry in #California is still grappling with significant challenges. While it's disappointing to see news of major community events being cancelled due to the lack of sponsorship dollars, we're not surprised — we've seen a 30% loss of brands in the marketplace in recent times. "The cannabis industry, specifically in California, is overtaxed. We’re over regulated. We face unchecked competition from illicit markets, and the vast majority of cities and counties throughout the state continue to prohibit sales of any kind," said Caren Woodson, President of the Board of the California Cannabis Industry Association. CCIA is continuing to fight for sensible public policy that helps the industry not just survive, but thrive. For more information or to join us, reach out to info@cacannabisindustry.org. And for those of you who had hoped to make it to Hippie Hill for 4/20, check out David Downs' incredible lineup of #SFWeedWeek events at sfweedweek.com.