AB 1448 Cannabis: enforcement by local jurisdictions

This bill is part of the 2023 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 1448 (Wallis R) Cannabis: enforcement by local jurisdictions.

Note: AB 1448 passed and was signed by the Governor.

Existing law, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), an initiative measure, 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. Existing law, 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 establishes the Department of Cannabis Control within the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency to administer the act, and requires the department to be under the supervision and control of a director.

Under MAUCRSA, a person engaging in commercial cannabis activity without a license is subject to civil penalties, as specified. MAUCRSA requires, in an action for civil penalties brought by the Attorney General, a county counsel, a city attorney, or a city prosecutor, the penalty first be used to reimburse the prosecuting agency for specified costs of bringing the action, with the remainder, if any, to be deposited in the General Fund.

This bill would recast those provisions to require, in an action brought by a county counsel, city attorney, or city prosecutor, the penalty first be used to reimburse the prosecuting agency for specified costs in bringing the action, with 50% of the remainder, if any, paid to the county or city, as applicable, and the other 50% to be deposited into the General Fund.

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

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