A lack of licensed dispensaries has left many of California’s cannabis cultivators without a place to sell their wares, but legislation gaining traction in the state Legislature aims to provide some relief.
Assembly Bill 2691, sponsored by Assemblymember Jim Wood, D-Santa Rosa, would allow growers to sell products at licensed events, such as farmers markets, throughout the California.
The Assembly Business and Professions Committee passed the legislation April 26, according to a KCRA 3 report.
“It is no secret that cannabis businesses throughout the state are struggling, whether it’s taxes, compliance costs, competing with the illicit market or other challenges, but the focus of A.B. 2691 is to help legal cannabis farmers who grow less than one acre of cannabis get consumer recognition for their unique products, much as has been done for craft beer, artisanal wine and other family farm agricultural products,” Wood told the news outlet. “Giving these smaller farmers opportunities at locally approved events to expose the public to their products increases consumer choice and offers farmers a better chance to reach retail shelves, which is their ultimate goal. This is not about circumventing retailers, but growing the industry overall. My office has always been open to those who may have concerns about this bill and I’m here to listen to their concerns and their proposed solutions.”
Supporters of Wood’s bill say it would help producers connect directly with consumers since the current regulatory environment makes it difficult for small farmers to do so, KCRA 3 reported. Opponents, on the other hand, argue that the legislation would violate Proposition 64, which voters passed in 2016 to legalize adult-use cannabis.
A.B. 2691 now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for consideration, according to KCRA 3.
