By Shaun Rundle, Legislative & Region Affairs Representative.
Last week the Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation (BMCR), headed by Chief Lori Ajax, announced proposed licensing regulations for medical cannabis use. Following the announcement is a 45-day public comment period, with various locations throughout the state holding public hearings for these comments. CPOA met previously with Chief Ajax regarding regulations concerns, and she provided an overview of stakeholder outreach and the regulations proposal process at our annual Law Enforcement Legislative Day event in March.
Since the BMCR’s creation in the fall of 2015, the bureau has been tasked with developing these regulations “The proposed licensing regulations for medical cannabis are the result of countless hours of research, stakeholder outreach, informational sessions and pre-regulatory meetings all across the state,” BMCR Chief Lori Ajax said. “And while we have done quite a bit of work and heard from thousands of people, there is still so much more to do. In order to make our program successful we still need your feedback.”
Individuals interested in reviewing the medical regulations for licensing dispensaries, distribution and transporters can do so by visiting the new Cannabis Web Portal, www.cannabis.ca.gov. At this site, you will also find cultivation regulations, as well as manufacturing regulations for medical cannabis.
Hearing dates and locations are as follows:
June 1, 2017
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Adorni Center
1011 Waterfront Drive, Eureka, CA 95501
June 8, 2017
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Junipero Serra Building
320 W. Fourth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
June 9, 2017
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Department of Consumer Affairs, Hearing Room, S-102
1625 North Market Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95834
June 13, 2017
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
King Library, Second Floor
150 E. San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Those who wish to provide feedback and are unable to attend one of the four listed sessions above, can get involved in the regulatory process by following the steps outlined here – http://www.bmcr.ca.gov/about_us/documents/17-065_public_comment.pdf.
There is currently budget trailer bill language designed to align the Medical Cannabis Safety and Regulation Act with Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. If that bill passes, the bureau will withdraw these proposed regulations and propose a new set of regulations consistent with changes in the law.