AB 2150 Cannabis research

This bill is part of the 2022 Cannabis Bills section of our ongoing update on California Cannabis Legislation – see the full California Cannabis Law Legislative Update which includes information on cannabis bills from other years.

AB 2150 (Lackey D and Cooley D) Cannabis research.

If the Regents of the University of California accept the responsibility, existing law requires the University of California to establish the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research in order to develop and conduct studies intended to ascertain the general medical safety and efficacy of cannabis, among other duties.

Existing law, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), an initiative measure approved as Proposition 64 at the November 8, 2016, statewide general election, establishes the California Cannabis Tax Fund as a continuously appropriated fund consisting of specified taxes, interest, penalties, and other amounts imposed by AUMA. AUMA requires the Controller to make certain disbursements from the fund, including to the State and Local Government Law Enforcement Account for use in a specified manner. 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, if the regents accept the responsibility, require the center to establish a study examining the effects of cannabis products that are currently in the commercial cannabis market and, in consultation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, evaluating the public safety consequences of driving after cannabis use and improving understanding of the best methods for determining related driving impairments. The bill would require the center to report the findings of the study on or before January 1, 2027. The bill would amend AUMA by appropriating $2 million to the center for this purpose from the State and Local Government Law Enforcement Account in the California Cannabis Tax Fund.

Read more about California Cannabis Legislation – see the full California Cannabis Law Legislative Update.

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