Medical Cannabis Cultivation Program – Public Scoping Meetings Announced

The California Department of Food and Agriculture has announced the dates for eight public scoping workshops throughout the State in September to provide the public an opportunity to learn more about the environmental impact review process and regulations developed for the Medical Cannabis Cultivation Program (MCCP).

The workshops are intended to gather valuable feedback from the public to help shape the environmental impact review and regulations for MCCP. The formal comment period for the MCCP scoping begins on September 1, 2016 and ends September 30, 2016.

All of the following workshops will be held from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.:

Tuesday, September 13:
Sacramento
Sacramento Convention Center (Room 202),
1400 J Street Sacramento, CA 95814

Wednesday, September 14:
Redding
Red Lion Hotel (Sierra Room)
1830 Hilltop Drive
Redding, CA 96002

Thursday, September 15:
Eureka
Red Lion Hotel (Pacific Room)
1929 4th Street
Eureka, CA 95501

Tuesday, September 20:
Oakland
Oakland Marriott (Skyline Room)
1001 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94607

Wednesday, September 21:
San Luis Obispo
Courtyard by Marriott (Grand Ballroom)
1605 Calle Joaquin
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Thursday, September 22:
Coalinga
Harris Ranch (Garden Ballroom)
24505 West Dorris Avenue
Coalinga, CA 93210

Tuesday, September 27
Pasadena
Pasadena Convention Center (Ballroom F)
300 East Green St
Pasadena, CA 91101

Wednesday, September 28:
Desert Hot Springs
Miracle Springs Resort & Spa (Mirage Ballroom)
10625 Palm Drive
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240

For details regarding the meetings, please click on this link.

Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation Announces Dates for Pre-Regulatory Meetings

Continuing with the theme…the Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation (Bureau) has scheduled a series of pre-regulatory meetings at various locations across the state. The Bureau will be teaming up with the California Department of Public Health to gather input throughout the state on upcoming regulations. These meetings will provide the public with an opportunity to participate in discussions on specific topics regarding dispensaries, distributors, manufacturers, testing laboratories, and transporters.

All of the following meetings will be held from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.:

• Redding – Monday, September 19
• Sacramento – Tuesday, September 20
• Santa Rosa – Thursday, September 22
• Oakland – Monday, September 26
• Fresno – Tuesday, September 27
• Los Angeles – Tuesday, October 4
• San Diego – Wednesday, October 5

The exact locations/addresses of the workshops will be available on the Bureau’s_website in the near future.

Bills:

Medical Marijuana
AB 2679 (Cooley) Medical Marijuana – Support
As Amended August 19, 2016

AB 2679, by Assembly Member Ken Cooley, would require state medical marijuana licensing authorities to include in their annual reports to the Legislature information on the number of appeals for license denials, disciplinary actions, and complaints. It would also authorize the University of California’s California Marijuana Research Program (Program) to develop and conduct studies to ascertain the effect of marijuana on motor skills.

Of particular interest to counties, are the recent amendments to the bill that address aspects of the manufacturing of medical cannabis products, particularly during the period before a formal state licensing takes effect. Specifically, AB 2679 would provide a criminal defense within the collective model for medical cannabis manufactures if these industry actors conform to a variety of manufacturing standards.

This provision is necessary to ensure the safety of manufacturing a variety of medical marijuana products that pose danger to communities. The bill includes language that re-affirms that these industry actors must obtain local approval and abide by local rules above and beyond what is being put place into statute. AB 2679 recently passed out of the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee and is now awaiting action on the Senate Floor.