California Legislative Panel Approves Bill for Cannabis Farmers Markets
High Times

A California legislative committee this week gave its approval to a bill that would permit small cannabis growers the ability to sell their harvest directly to consumers at farmers markets. The measure, Assembly Bill 2691, was approved on Tuesday by the Assembly Business and Professions Committee by a vote of 10-1. The bill was introduced in February by Democratic Assemblymember Jim Wood, who represents a large swath of California’s famed Emerald Triangle cannabis growing region. Under the measure, the state’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) would be authorized to issue temporary event retail licenses to licensed cannabis growers with no more than one acre of land under cultivation.  The special event retail licenses would only be valid at events including cannabis farmers markets operating in compliance with existing law. Under current regulations, growers can participate in cannabis special events but are not permitted to sell directly to consumers, who must instead make purchases from licensed dispensaries. In a statement about the legislation to local media, Wood said that the bill would give small growers a new revenue stream many desperately need. “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 AB 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 said. “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,” he continued. “This is not about circumventing retailers, but growing the industry overall.” Small Growers…

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Source : California Legislative Panel Approves Bill for Cannabis Farmers Markets

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