California Governor Gavin Newsom is considering 17 bills related to cannabis and psychedelics

When the California Legislature ended on September 14, more than 17 cannabis or psychedelics bills were sent to California Gov. Gavin Newsom for possible signing. The bills include a variety of proposals that Newsom must either sign, veto or refuse to sign and have them approved without his signature.

In the past, Newsom has expressed support for cannabis and psychedelics, but it is currently unclear which of these 17 bills he will support. However, he has less than a month, or until October 14th, to process the following invoices.

SB-51: Provisional cannabis licenses: local capital applicants

Social equity applicants would have until January 1, 2031 to apply for or renew their provisional licenses. Currently, provisional licenses are not accepted in California.

SB-58: Controlled substances: decriminalization of certain hallucinogenic substances.

This bill was submitted to the government on September 13th and would legalize the possession, cultivation and transportation of substances such as psilocybin, psilocybin, DMT and mescaline. The bill is being led by Senator Scott Weiner, who believes it will help many patients, particularly military veterans, in the state. “California’s veterans, first responders and others struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and addiction deserve access to these promising herbal medicines,” Wiener said as the bill passed the Assembly. “SB-58 has prudent safeguards after considering feedback from three years of intensive engagement with a broad range of stakeholders. We know that these substances are non-addictive, and they show tremendous promise in treating many of the most intractable disorders driving our nation’s mental health crisis. It’s time to stop criminalizing people who use psychedelics for healing or personal well-being.”

SB-302 Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act

While health care facilities currently only allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis, this bill would allow anyone over 65 to treat chronic illnesses with medical cannabis if they so choose. The bill is an expansion of the current Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act, or Ryan’s Law.

SB-540: Cannabis and cannabis products: health warnings

If passed, SB-540 would direct the Department of Cannabis Control to create an educational pamphlet to be given to consumers the first time they purchase products from a dispensary (both at a retail store and through delivery). The information will be updated on January 1, 2030 and every five years thereafter.

SB-622: Cannabis Regulation: Plant Identification Program: Unique Identifier

A proposal from Senators Ben Allen and Juan Alanis would change the way cannabis products are identified with “a unique identifier recorded in a manner to be determined by regulation by the Department.” The bill does not directly mention removing the plastic labels currently used to track cannabis plants, but could allow the use of digital labels in the future for a more sustainable, environmentally friendly approach.

SB-700: Discrimination in the workplace: cannabis use

This bill would prohibit employers from inquiring about an applicant’s personal cannabis use, adding to the current applicant protections of the existing California Fair Employment and Housing Act. According to Senator Steven Bradford,

SB-753: Cannabis: Water Resources

With the aim of protecting groundwater and preventing damage to the environment, this bill would make it a criminal offense to grow and harvest more than six cannabis plants, particularly if they are “cultivated intentionally or with gross negligence and cause significant environmental damage to surface or groundwater, public lands or … cause”. other public resources.”

SB-833: Cannabis Licensing: Cultivation Licenses: Change in License Type: Inactive Status

Currently, cannabis cultivators who wish to change their license status from Minor to Inactive (whether permanently or just temporarily) must repeat the entire process through the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC). This bill would allow them to make this change through the DCC without having to completely resubmit their application.

AB-374: Cannabis: Preparation, sale and consumption of non-cannabis food and beverages at retail

AB-374 was submitted to the governor on September 15 and would legalize “Amsterdam-style” cannabis cafes. With approval, dispensaries can offer non-cannabis food and beverages as well as “live music or other performances on the premises of a licensed retailer or microbusiness in the area where the use of cannabis is permitted.” According to lawmakers, Rep. Matt Haney believes the bill would benefit consumers as well as cities. “Many people want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others,” Haney said. “And a lot of people want to do that while drinking coffee, eating a scone or listening to music. There is absolutely no good reason from an economic, health or safety perspective that the government should make this illegal. If an authorized cannabis retail store also wants to sell a cup of coffee and a sandwich, we should allow cities to make that possible and no longer hinder these small businesses.”

AB-623: Cannabis: Citation and fine

Under current California law, cannabis laboratory testing is conducted by testing a batch of products to ensure that “the chemical profile of the sample is consistent with the stated levels of compounds.” In order for licensed laboratories to test food and issue a certificate of analysis, the report must show that “the milligrams of THC per serving do not exceed 10 milligrams per serving, plus or minus 10%.” In other words, the certificate excludes products with less than 10 mg THC (e.g. low-dose edibles with only 5 mg THC). If passed, AB-623 would require new DCC regulations that address low-dose foods.

AB-993: Cannabis Task Force

This bill would add representatives from the Department of Civil Rights and the Department of Labor Relations to California’s existing cannabis task force.

AB-1021: Controlled substances: rescheduling

This bill would allow California health care professionals to prescribe cannabis when doing so reclassifies a Schedule I substance. Current Schedule I substances include cannabis as well as LSD, heroin, peyote, ecstasy and more.

AB-1126: Cannabis: Citation and fine

This proposal would prohibit the use of the universal cannabis symbol on cannabis packaging for products for which it is not approved for use. Any businesses using the symbol without permission will be subject to confiscation by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

AB-1171: Cannabis: private right of action

Cannabis business license holders could take legal action against illegal cannabis businesses in the California Supreme Court.

AB-1207: Cannabis: labeling and advertising

This bill would potentially change the definition of cannabis product packaging by “prohibiting the sale, distribution, or manufacture of cannabis, cannabis products, packaging, or labels that are attractive to children, within the meaning of the definition.” In addition, images such as cartoons, toys, robots, real or fictional people, fictional animals or creatures, and fruits or vegetables are prohibited (unless they are used to describe the taste of the product).

AB-1448: Cannabis: Enforcement by Local Jurisdictions

A person currently using illegal cannabis without a license is subject to a civil monetary penalty ($10,000 per day per violation, but not to exceed $30,000 per day). This bill would direct a portion of these civil penalties to the treasurers of local jurisdictions.

AB-1684: Local Ordinances: Fines and Penalties: Cannabis

In this bill, fines imposed on illegal cannabis growers would also apply to other illegal businesses, such as processing and distribution companies.

In the past, Newsom has expressed support for cannabis and psychedelics, but it is currently unclear which of these 17 bills he will sign. However, he has less than a month, or until October 14, to process these invoices.

Newsom has signed three cannabis-related bills since July. In July, he signed SB-250, which grants immunity to people who test positive for a controlled substance such as fentanyl, particularly with regard to cooperating with law enforcement and disclosing where they obtained the drug. Also in July, Newsom signed AB-128, which added cannabis event organizers to the list of license classifications and updated background check requirements for cannabis businesses. He also signed SB-756 on September 1, which allows the California State Water Board to investigate and take action against illegal cannabis cultivation.