Bill Text: CA AB2255 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Cannabis: distribution: deliveries: violations.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Vetoed) 2018-09-30 - Vetoed by Governor. [AB2255 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AB2255-Amended.html

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Amended  IN  Senate  June 27, 2018

Amended  IN  Assembly  April 26, 2018

Amended  IN  Assembly  April 16, 2018

Amended  IN  Assembly  April 04, 2018

Amended  IN  Assembly  March 23, 2018

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 2255

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Introduced by Assembly Member Lackey

February 13, 2018

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An act to amend Sections 26070 and 26090 of, and to add Section Sections 26031.5 and 26039 to, the Business and Professions Code, relating to cannabis.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 2255, as amended, Lackey. Cannabis: distribution: deliveries: violations.

The Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act of 2016 (AUMA), an initiative measure approved as Proposition 64 at the November 8, 2016, statewide general election, authorizes a person who obtains a state license under AUMA to engage in commercial adult-use cannabis activity pursuant to that license and applicable local ordinances. The Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA), among other things, consolidates the licensure and regulation of commercial medicinal and adult-use cannabis activities.

MAUCRSA imposes duties on the Bureau of Cannabis Control in the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Department of Food and Agriculture, and the State Department of Public Health with respect to the creation, issuance, denial, suspension, and revocation of licenses issued pursuant to MAUCRSA. MAUCRSA authorizes these licensing authorities to suspend, revoke, place on probation with terms and conditions, or otherwise discipline licenses issued by that licensing authority and fine a licensee, after proper notice and hearing to the licensee, if the licensee is found to have committed any of the acts or omissions constituting grounds for disciplinary action, which includes failure to comply with MAUCRSA.

MAUCRSA requires a licensed distributor, during transportation, to maintain a physical copy of a shipping manifest and a licensee receiving the shipment to maintain each electronic shipping manifest, and requires those manifests to be made available upon request to agents of the Department of Consumer Affairs and law enforcement officers.

This bill would impose a fine of $500 for the first violation of those requirements and, for each subsequent violation would impose a fine that is incrementally increased by $50, as specified.

Under MAUCRSA, transporting, or arranging for or facilitating the transport of, cannabis or cannabis product in violation of MAUCRSA is grounds for disciplinary action against the licensee.

This bill would prohibit a licensed distributor from transporting an amount of cannabis in excess of the amount stated on the shipping manifest, and would impose a fine of $500 for the first violation of this prohibition and, for each subsequent violation, would impose a fine that is incrementally increased by $50, as specified.

This bill would prohibit a law enforcement officer from seizing cannabis for a violation of MAUCRSA, unless the seizure is otherwise authorized by law and the officer has probable cause to believe a criminal cannabis violation has occurred. The bill would also clarify that transportation for purposes of sale with a counterfeit shipping manifest is subject to existing provisions of criminal law relating to the unlawful transportation of cannabis and disciplinary action by the bureau.

MAUCRSA requires a licensee authorized to make deliveries to maintain a copy of the delivery request during deliveries and requires those delivery requests to be made available upon request of the licensing authority and law enforcement officers.

This bill would specify that the copy of the delivery request be physical or electronic and would impose a fine of $500 for the first violation of those requirements and, for each subsequent violation, would impose a fine that is incrementally increased by $50, as specified.

This bill would authorize the bureau to prescribe citations that may be issued for the violations described above, and would prescribe the content of the citations and the method for challenging a citation. The bill would authorize the Department of the California Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies to issue those citations.

Existing law establishes the Cannabis Fines and Penalties Account within the Cannabis Control Fund.

This bill would require these fine amounts to be deposited into the Cannabis Fines and Penalties Account.

AUMA authorizes the Legislature to amend its provisions with a ²/₃ vote of both houses to further its purposes and intent.

This bill would declare that its provisions further the purposes and intent of AUMA.

Digest Key

Vote: 2/3   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 26031.5 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

26031.5.

 (a) The following disciplinary actions shall be taken against a licensee who is found pursuant to Section 26031 to have committed the following acts or omissions:

(1) Failure during transportation to maintain a physical copy of the shipping manifest and make it available upon request to agents of the Department of Consumer Affairs and any law enforcement officers as required in subdivision (f) of Section 26070 is punishable by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) for the first violation, a fine of five hundred fifty dollars ($550) for the second violation, and a fine of six hundred dollars ($600) for the third violation. Each subsequent violation after the third violation shall be subject to a fine that is incrementally increased by fifty dollars ($50) from the fine imposed for the previous violation.

(2) Failure to maintain an electronic shipping manifest and make it available upon request to agents of the Department of Consumer Affairs and any law enforcement officers as required in subdivision (h) of Section 26070 is punishable by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) for the first violation, a fine of five hundred fifty dollars ($550) for the second violation, and a fine of six hundred dollars ($600) for the third violation. Each subsequent violation after the third violation shall be subject to a fine that is incrementally increased by fifty dollars ($50) from the fine imposed for the previous violation.

(3) Failure during delivery to maintain a copy of a compliant delivery request and make it available upon request of the licensing authority and law enforcement officers as required in subdivision (c) of Section 26090 is punishable by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) for the first violation, a fine of five hundred fifty dollars ($550) for the second violation, and a fine of six hundred dollars ($600) for the third violation. Each subsequent violation after the third violation shall be subject to a fine that is incrementally increased by fifty dollars ($50) from the fine imposed for the previous violation.

(4) Transportation of an amount of cannabis in excess, as defined by the bureau, of the amount stated on the shipping manifest in violation of subdivision (g) of Section 26070 is punishable by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) for the first violation, a fine of five hundred fifty dollars ($550) for the second violation, and a fine of six hundred dollars ($600) for the third violation. Each subsequent violation after the third violation shall be subject to a fine that is incrementally increased by fifty dollars ($50) from the fine imposed for the previous violation.

(b) Amounts collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Cannabis Fines and Penalties Account described in subdivision (d) of Section 26210.

SEC. 2.

 Section 26039 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

26039.

 (a) The bureau may prescribe the form and content of citations that may be issued for the violations described in Section 26031.5.

(b) A citation under subdivision (a) shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:

(1) Space for the name and address of the person cited.

(2) The violation described in Section 26031.5 for which the citation is issued.

(3) The date, time, and location of the violation.

(4) The process for paying the fine imposed for the violation, as determined by the bureau.

(5) The process for contesting the violation, including an Internet Web site address and telephone number, consistent with Section 26031.

(6) The date by which the violation is required to be challenged or paid, as determined by the bureau.

(7) Space for the name, badge number, and signature of the citing law enforcement officer.

(8) A space for the person who is cited to sign, acknowledging receipt of the citation.

(9) Any other information required or prescribed by the bureau.

(c) (1) The Department of the California Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies are authorized, but not required, to issue citations prescribed by this section.

(2) The issuing officer shall provide the original of the citation to the issuing law enforcement agency. The issuing officer shall provide a copy of the citation to the person who has been cited. The issuing law enforcement agency shall submit a copy of the citation to the bureau in a manner prescribed by the bureau.

(d) A citation issued pursuant to this section may be challenged pursuant to the procedures prescribed in Section 26031.

SEC. 2.SEC. 3.

 Section 26070 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

26070.

 (a) State licenses to be issued by the bureau related to the sale and distribution of cannabis and cannabis products are as follows:

(1) “Retailer,” for the retail sale and delivery of cannabis or cannabis products to customers. A retailer shall have a licensed premises that is a physical location from which commercial cannabis activities are conducted. A retailer’s premises may be closed to the public. A retailer may conduct sales exclusively by delivery.

(2) “Distributor,” for the distribution of cannabis and cannabis products. A distributor licensee shall be bonded and insured at a minimum level established by the licensing authority.

(3) (A) “Microbusiness,” for the cultivation of cannabis on an area less than 10,000 square feet and to act as a licensed distributor, Level 1 manufacturer, and retailer under this division, provided the licensee can demonstrate compliance with all requirements imposed by this division on licensed cultivators, distributors, Level 1 manufacturers, and retailers to the extent the licensee engages in those activities. Microbusiness licenses that authorize cultivation of cannabis shall include the license conditions described in subdivision (b) of Section 26060.1.

(B) In coordination with each other, the licensing authorities shall establish a process by which an applicant for a microbusiness license can demonstrate compliance with all the requirements under this division for the activities that will be conducted under the license.

(C) The bureau may enter into interagency agreements with licensing authorities to implement and enforce the provisions of this division related to microbusinesses. The costs of activities carried out by the licensing authorities, as requested by the bureau pursuant to the interagency agreement, shall be calculated into the application and licensing fees collected pursuant to this division, and shall provide for reimbursement to state agencies for associated costs as provided for in the interagency agreement.

(b) The bureau shall establish minimum security and transportation safety requirements for the commercial distribution and delivery of cannabis and cannabis products. Except as provided in subdivision (d) of Section 26110, the transportation of cannabis and cannabis products shall only be conducted by persons holding a distributor license under this division or employees of those persons. Transportation safety standards established by the bureau shall include, but not be limited to, minimum standards governing the types of vehicles in which cannabis and cannabis products may be distributed and delivered and minimum qualifications for persons eligible to operate those vehicles.

(c) The driver of a vehicle transporting or transferring cannabis or cannabis products shall be directly employed by a licensee authorized to transport or transfer cannabis or cannabis products.

(d) Notwithstanding any other law, all vehicles transporting cannabis and cannabis products for hire shall have a valid motor carrier permit pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 34620) of Division 14.85 of the Vehicle Code. The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall have authority over the safe operation of these vehicles, including, but not limited to, requiring licensees engaged in the transportation of cannabis or cannabis products to participate in the Basic Inspection of Terminals (BIT) program pursuant to Section 34501.12 of the Vehicle Code.

(e) Prior to transporting cannabis or cannabis products, a licensed distributor shall do both of the following:

(1) Complete an electronic shipping manifest as prescribed by the licensing authority. The shipping manifest shall include the unique identifier, pursuant to Section 26069, issued by the Department of Food and Agriculture for the original cannabis product.

(2) Securely transmit the manifest to the bureau and the licensee that will receive the cannabis product. The bureau shall inform the Department of Food and Agriculture of information pertaining to commercial cannabis activity for the purpose of the track and trace program identified in Section 26067.

(f) During transportation, the licensed distributor shall maintain a physical copy of the shipping manifest and shall make it available upon request to agents of the Department of Consumer Affairs and any law enforcement officers. Failure to meet the requirements of this subdivision is punishable by a fine as provided in Section 26031.5.

(g) The licensed distributor shall not transport an amount of cannabis in excess, as defined by the bureau, of the amount stated on the shipping manifest. Failure to meet the requirements of this subdivision is punishable by a fine as provided in Section 26031.5.

(h) The licensee receiving the shipment shall maintain each electronic shipping manifest and shall make it available upon request to agents of the Department of Consumer Affairs and any law enforcement officers. Failure to meet the requirements of this subdivision is punishable by a fine as provided in Section 26031.5.

(i) Upon receipt of the transported shipment, the licensee receiving the shipment shall submit to the licensing authority a record verifying receipt of the shipment and the details of the shipment.

(j) (1) Transporting, or arranging for or facilitating the transport of, cannabis or cannabis products in violation of this chapter is grounds for disciplinary action against the license.

(2) A law enforcement officer shall not seize cannabis for a violation of this chapter, unless seizure is otherwise authorized by law and the officer has probable cause to believe a criminal cannabis violation has occurred.

(k) Licensed retailers and microbusinesses, and licensed nonprofits under Section 26070.5, shall implement security measures reasonably designed to prevent unauthorized entrance into areas containing cannabis or cannabis products and theft of cannabis or cannabis products from the premises. These security measures shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) Prohibiting individuals from remaining on the licensee’s premises if they are not engaging in activity expressly related to the operations of the retailer.

(2) Establishing limited access areas accessible only to authorized personnel.

(3) Other than limited amounts of cannabis used for display purposes, samples, or immediate sale, storing all finished cannabis and cannabis products in a secured and locked room, safe, or vault, and in a manner reasonably designed to prevent diversion, theft, and loss.

(l) A retailer shall notify the licensing authority and the appropriate law enforcement authorities within 24 hours after discovering any of the following:

(1) Significant discrepancies identified during inventory. The level of significance shall be determined by the bureau.

(2) Diversion, theft, loss, or any criminal activity pertaining to the operation of the retailer.

(3) Diversion, theft, loss, or any criminal activity by any agent or employee of the retailer pertaining to the operation of the retailer.

(4) The loss or unauthorized alteration of records related to cannabis or cannabis products, registered qualifying patients, primary caregivers, or retailer employees or agents.

(5) Any other breach of security.

(m) Beginning January 1, 2018, a licensee may sell cannabis or cannabis products that have not been tested for a limited and finite time as determined by the bureau. The cannabis or cannabis products must have a label affixed to each package containing the cannabis or cannabis products that clearly states “This product has not been tested as required by the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act” and must comply with any other requirement as determined by the bureau.

(n) Transportation for purposes of sale with a counterfeit shipping manifest is punishable pursuant to Section 11360 of the Health and Safety Code and is also subject to disciplinary action by the bureau.

SEC. 3.SEC. 4.

 Section 26090 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

26090.

 (a) Deliveries, as defined in this division, may only be made by a licensed retailer or microbusiness, or a licensed nonprofit under Section 26070.5.

(b) All employees of a retailer, microbusiness, or nonprofit delivering cannabis or cannabis products shall carry a copy of the licensee’s current license and a government-issued identification with a photo of the employee, such as a driver’s license. The employee shall present that license and identification upon request to state and local law enforcement, employees of regulatory authorities, and other state and local agencies enforcing this division.

(c) During delivery, the licensee shall maintain a physical or electronic copy of the delivery request and shall make it available upon request of the licensing authority and law enforcement officers. The delivery request documentation shall comply with state and federal law regarding the protection of confidential medical information. Failure to meet the requirements of this subdivision is punishable by a fine as provided in Section 26031.5.

(d) A customer requesting delivery shall maintain a physical or electronic copy of the delivery request and shall make it available upon request by the licensing authority and law enforcement officers.

(e) A local jurisdiction shall not prevent delivery of cannabis or cannabis products on public roads by a licensee acting in compliance with this division and local law as adopted under Section 26200.

SEC. 4.SEC. 5.

 The Legislature finds and declares that this act furthers the purposes and intent of the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act as stated in subdivisions (a), (b), (e), (u), and (v) of Section 3 of that act.