A new California bill, Assembly Bill 64, is currently being considered by California legislators. AB 64 would amend the marijuana advertising rules under Proposition 64 (aka the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, or AUMA) to create stricter regulations for advertising on highway billboards. Though Prop 64 already bans marijuana ads on any billboards on California interstate highways or state highways that cross the border of any other state, AB 64 would extend that prohibition to exclude advertising on billboards on any highways within the state.
The sponsors of AB 64 state that the stricter regulations are meant to further enforce prohibitions against advertising cannabis to minors under the age of 21, who would be able to see ads on highway billboards even if the ads are targeted specifically at legal adult consumers and medical marijuana patients. In addition, the bills sponsors are concerned that cannabis businesses that have not yet received a state license to sell medical or recreational cannabis are already advertising on highway billboards across California.
AB 64 would prohibit not only licensed businesses, but any entities operating in California from placing marijuana ads on interstate and state highways. The bill would also extend all other restrictions under Prop 64 on marijuana advertising and marketing from licensees to all entities operating within the state; thus closing a loophole that currently exempts unlicensed cannabis businesses from new state advertising laws. Whats more, the bill would extend the prohibition on billboard ads to the marketing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.
Though the new advertising restrictions are already receiving pushback from the cannabis community, AB 64 is not all bad news for California cannabis businesses and license hopefuls. If passed, the bill will also provide clarification on major issues concerning many California cannabis businesses, specifically whether for profit businesses and delivery-only businesses will be allowed under new statewide regulation.
Under AB 64, the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MCRSA) would be amended to explicitly allow medical cannabis collectives and cooperatives to operate for profit. In order to operate for profit, these businesses will be required to obtain a valid California sellers permit from the State Board of Equalization and a valid local license, permit, or other authorization from the city or county where the business operates.
AB 64 would also amend California law to specify that ...
