During the 2021 legislative session, a range of proposals were considered, with some signed into law and others vetoed. These outcomes reflect the key priorities and decisions that shaped the year.
AB 45
(Aguiar‑Curry, D) Industrial hemp products.
Status: 10/6/2021 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 576, Statutes of 2021.
Summary: Establishes a regulatory structure under CDPH to authorize use of industrial hemp in food, beverages, processed pet food, or cosmetics. Requires DCC to report by July 1, 2022 on steps needed to incorporate hemp into the cannabis supply chain and allow sale of hemp products by cannabis retailers.
AB 128
(Ting, D) Budget Act of 2021.
Status: 6/28/2021 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 21, Statutes of 2021.
Summary: Makes appropriations for state government for FY 2021–22, including funding for DCC. Takes effect immediately as a Budget Bill.
AB 141
(Committee on Budget) Budget Act of 2021: DCC licensure; safety and quality assurance.
Status: 7/12/2021 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 70, Statutes of 2021.
Summary: Establishes the Department of Cannabis Control within BCSH. Transfers powers and responsibilities from the Bureau of Cannabis Control, CDFA, and CDPH under MAUCRSA. Makes conforming changes.
AB 287
(Quirk, D) Civil actions: statute of limitations.
Status: 9/23/2021 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 264, Statutes of 2021.
Summary: Extends statute of limitations for civil actions against entities engaging in unlicensed commercial cannabis activity from one year to three years.
AB 527
(Wood, D) Controlled substances.
Status: 10/7/2021 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 618, Statutes of 2021.
Summary: Expands existing law allowing federally rescheduled or legally prescribed CBD products to include products containing any cannabinoids approved by the FDA. Establishes state exemptions consistent with federal law. Requires DOJ to provide UC access to identifiable data for research.
AB 1138
(Rubio, Blanca, D) Unlawful cannabis activity: civil enforcement.
Status: 10/5/2021 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 530, Statutes of 2021.
Summary: Subjects individuals “aiding and abetting” unlicensed cannabis activity to civil penalties up to $30,000 per violation per day. Establishes criteria courts must consider. Adds 3‑year statute of limitations for these actions.
AB 1222
(Chen, R) Cannabis packaging: beverages.
Status: 10/5/2021 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 532, Statutes of 2021.
Summary: Allows cannabis‑infused beverages to be packaged in clear or colored glass containers.
AB 1302
(Quirk, D) Commercial cannabis billboards: placement restrictions.
Status: 10/8/2021 – Vetoed by Governor.
Summary: Would have prohibited cannabis advertising within 15 miles of the California border on interstate or state highways crossing the border.
AB 1305
(Lackey, R) MAUCRSA exemptions.
Status: 8/31/2021 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 157, Statutes of 2021.
Summary: Expands FDA‑approved CBD exemptions to include all cannabinoids. Exempts certain DEA‑registered activity from MAUCRSA requirements if documentation and location information is provided to DCC.
SB 160
(Committee on Budget & Fiscal Review) DCC licensure; appellations; trade samples.
Status: 7/16/2021 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 87, Statutes of 2021.
Summary: Revises provisions of MAUCRSA amended by AB 141. Establishes mandates for issuing and renewing provisional licenses.
SB 166
Status: 9/23/2021 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 260, Statutes of 2021.
Summary: Requires DCC to develop and implement a program providing fee waivers for needs‑based applicants by Jan 1, 2022, and fee deferrals by Jan 1, 2023, under the California Cannabis Equity Act.
SB 170
(Skinner, D) Budget Act of 2021.
Status: 9/23/2021 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 240, Statutes of 2021.
Summary: Amends the Budget Act of 2021 by revising appropriations. Takes effect immediately.
SB 292
(Wilk, R) Industrial hemp.
Status: 10/4/2021 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 485, Statutes of 2021.
Summary: Revises hemp sampling requirements, allowing CDFA to set sampling timeframes. Updates destruction requirements for non‑compliant hemp.
SB 311
(Hueso, D) Ryan’s Law – Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act.
Status: 9/28/2021 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 384, Statutes of 2021.
Summary: Requires certain health care facilities to allow terminally ill patients to use medicinal cannabis with documentation.
SB 544
(Laird, D) Cannabis testing.
Status: 10/5/2021 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 547, Statutes of 2021.
Summary: Requires DCC to establish standardized cannabinoid testing methods by Jan 1, 2023. Permits creation of a reference laboratory.