AB 1619 Pharmacists: drug disclosures: cannabis or cannabidiol interactions

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 1619 (Dixon R) Pharmacists: drug disclosures: cannabis or cannabidiol interactions. 

The Pharmacy Law provides for the licensure and regulation of pharmacists by the California State Board of Pharmacy. Existing law requires a pharmacist to inform a patient orally or in writing of the harmful effects of a drug dispensed by prescription if a prescription drug poses a substantial risk to the person consuming the drug when taken in combination with alcohol or if the drug may impair a person’s ability to drive a motor vehicle, and the board has determined that the drug is a drug or drug type for which this warning shall be given. A violation of the Pharmacy Law is a crime.

This bill would require a pharmacist that dispenses a prescription drug to a patient for use that has major or moderate interactions with edible or inhaled cannabis or cannabidiol products affix an auxiliary label to the prescription container with that information. The bill would require a pharmacy to develop a cannabis labeling guideline on which medications require a label pursuant to the bill. Because a violation of this requirement would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

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

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