During the 2022 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 195
(Committee on Budget) Cannabis.
Status: 6/30/2022 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 56, Statutes of 2022.
Summary: This landmark bill provides the legal cannabis industry with significant tax relief. Key provisions include: suspending the cannabis cultivation tax indefinitely; moving excise‑tax collection and remittance to retail starting in 2023; allowing eligible equity retailers to retain 20% of excise tax collected; creating new tax credits for qualifying equity licensees and retailers with stronger labor standards; strengthening labor‑peace‑agreement requirements; holding illegal operators personally liable for unpaid taxes; and expanding enforcement tools against the illicit market.
AB 1646
(Chen, R) Cannabis packaging: beverages.
Status: 9/18/2022 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 388, Statutes of 2022.
Summary: Authorizes cannabis beverages to be packaged in containers of any material, clear or any color.
AB 1706
(Bonta, Mia, D) Cannabis crimes: resentencing.
Status: 9/18/2022 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 387, Statutes of 2022.
Summary: Requires courts to recall, dismiss, seal, or redesignate past cannabis‑related convictions (not challenged by July 1, 2020) by March 1, 2023. Requires DOJ to update state criminal history records by July 1, 2023, ensure inaccuracies are not reported, and conduct a public awareness campaign so affected individuals can verify updates to their records.
AB 1885
(Kalra, D) Cannabis and cannabis products: animals; veterinary medicine.
Status: 9/18/2022 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 389, Statutes of 2022.
Summary: Expands MAUCRSA to regulate cannabis products intended for use on or consumption by animals (excluding livestock and food animals). Clarifies that cannabis concentrates and edible cannabis products are not considered processed pet food under the Pure Pet Food Act of 1969.
AB 1894
(Rivas, Luz, D) Integrated cannabis vaporizer: packaging, labeling, advertisement, and marketing.
Status: 9/18/2022 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 390, Statutes of 2022.
Summary: Beginning July 1, 2024, requires cannabis cartridges and integrated vaporizers to display disposal instructions indicating they are hazardous waste. Prohibits packaging, labeling, or advertising that implies these devices are disposable or can be thrown in regular trash or recycling.
AB 2155
(Villapudua, D) Cannabis beverages.
Status: 6/21/2022 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 33, Statutes of 2022.
Summary: Defines “cannabis beverages” as edible cannabis products intended to be consumed in final beverage form.
AB 2188
(Quirk, D) Discrimination in employment: use of cannabis.
Status: 9/18/2022 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 392, Statutes of 2022.
Summary: Effective January 1, 2024, employers cannot discriminate against a person for off‑the‑job cannabis use or for drug tests detecting only non‑psychoactive cannabis metabolites. Exemptions include positions requiring federal background checks and building‑and‑construction trades workers. Does not override state or federal drug‑testing requirements tied to employment, licensing, or federal funding.
AB 2210
(Quirk, D) Cannabis: state temporary event licenses; ABC‑licensed venues; unsold inventory.
Status: 9/18/2022 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 391, Statutes of 2022.
Summary: Bars ABC from disciplining alcohol licensees for cannabis events held under a DCC‑issued temporary event license at the same premises. Suspends all alcohol privileges at the venue during the event and until 6 a.m. the following day. Requires all cannabis inventory to be transported by licensed distributors/microbusinesses and allows reconciliation and return of unsold product.
AB 2568
(Cooley, D) Cannabis: insurance providers.
Status: 9/18/2022 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 393, Statutes of 2022.
Summary: Clarifies that providing insurance services to licensed cannabis businesses is not a crime.
AB 2925
(Cooper, D) California Cannabis Tax Fund: spending reports.
Status: 9/18/2022 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 394, Statutes of 2022.
Summary: Requires DHCS to submit spending reports for the Youth Education, Prevention, Early Intervention, and Treatment Account for FY 2021–22 and 2022–23 by July 10, 2023. Requires annual reports thereafter by July 10.
SB 988
(Hueso, D) Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act (Ryan’s Law).
Status: 9/2/2022 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 242, Statutes of 2022.
Summary: Repeals previous requirements that health facilities permitting patient cannabis use meet certain drug‑handling rules. Requires patients or caregivers to manage acquisition, storage, administration, and removal of medicinal cannabis. Establishes rules for secure storage and proper removal upon discharge.
SB 1186
(Wiener, D) Medicinal Cannabis Patients’ Right of Access Act.
Status: 9/18/2022 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 395, Statutes of 2022.
Summary: Effective January 1, 2024, prohibits local jurisdictions from banning delivery of medicinal cannabis to patients or caregivers. Provides statewide enforcement via writ of mandate by patients, businesses, the Attorney General, or authorized parties.
SB 1326
(Caballero, D) Cannabis: interstate agreements.
Status: 9/18/2022 – Approved by the Governor. Chapter 396, Statutes of 2022.
Summary: Allows the Governor to enter agreements with other states permitting cross‑state commercial or medicinal cannabis activity among state‑licensed entities, provided activity is lawful in the participating states. Makes foreign licensees subject to California jurisdiction for enforcement. Prohibits out‑of‑state licensees from operating in California without a California license and required local authorization.