Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs Bill That Could Eliminate 43 Million Plastic Plant Tags Per Year

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 8 signed into law SB 622, opening the door for the state’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) to determine how it will record mandatory unique identifiers for cannabis plants—in other words, to stop requiring the use of plastic tags at the base of each plant. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and Assembly before heading to the governor’s desk.

According to a June 15 Senate floor analysis of the bill—which was introduced Feb. 15 by Senator Ben Allen and co-authored by Assemblymember Juan Alanis—“Information provided to the [bill’s] author indicated that 43 million plant tags were issued to licensed cultivators and microbusinesses in 2022 for a total cost to the state of $15 million. This [bill] may help reduce the number of plastic tags required and reduce expenditures.”

Supporters of the bill noted that the bill will help eliminate single-use plastic tag waste, as single-use plastic becomes an increasing environmental concern.

The original law required “a unique identifier to be issued for each cannabis plant and to be attached at the base of each plant or as otherwise required by law or regulation.” According to the Senate floor analysis, “Currently, the DCC contracts with METRC to supply the plastic tags for the UI program.”

SB 622 does not include wording that specifies what form the unique identifiers (UIs) will take, but it enables the DCC to determine how the UIs will be recorded and opens the door to newer (e.g., digital) and emerging technologies.

"Beyond environmental and financial impacts for our local governments, plastic products have become a public health hazard such that we are finding microplastics in bloodstreams. We should act responsibly to curb the unnecessary use of plastics where possible,” commented Senator Allen in a press release issued by SB 622 supporter CannaCraft, a vertically integrated cannabis business. “As the cannabis industry continues to develop in California, it is critical that we support sustainability as a pillar of its growth. SB 622 aims to do just that, and I thank Governor Newsom for signing this common-sense measure.” 

Among the 40 industry supporters of the bill are: Autumn Brands, Big Sur Farmers Association, California Cannabis Industry Association, California NORML, Cresco, Humboldt County Growers Alliance, Kiva Confections, Mammoth Distribution, Mendocino Cannabis Alliance, Mercy Wellness, Nabis, Pax, and The Parent Company.

Opponents of the bill argued “that this bill could result in the proliferation of the illicit cannabis market by removing the UI from the base of the plant,” according to the Senate floor analysis.