California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed several bills seeking to strengthen the state’s cannabis laws while also expanding the legal cannabis market and redressing cannabis prohibition harms.
“For too many Californians, the promise of cannabis legalization remains out of reach,” Newsom said. “These measures build on the important strides our state has made toward this goal, but much work remains to build an equitable, safe and sustainable legal cannabis industry. I look forward to partnering with the Legislature and policymakers to fully realize cannabis legalization in communities across California.”
The bills Newsom signed include SB 1326, which was introduced by State Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Merced) and creates a process for California to enter into agreements with other states to allow cannabis transactions with entities outside California. Another bill is State Sen. Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) SB 1186, which preempts local bans on medicinal cannabis delivery and expands patients’ access to legal, regulated cannabis products.
Others include AB 1706, which was introduced by State Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) to ensure Californians with old cannabis-related convictions would have those convictions sealed; and Assemblymember Bill Quirk’s (D-Hayward) AB 2188, which protects Californians from employment discrimination based on their use of cannabis off-the-clock and away from the workplace.
Newsom previously signed legislation providing tax relief to consumers and the cannabis industry while also supporting equity businesses and strengthening enforcement tools against illegal cannabis operators.