With lab testing requirements looming on the horizon, California cannabis producers will need to figure out what to do with all their untested inventory.
Beginning July 1, 2018, a licensee may only sell cannabis goods that have been tested and passed all cannabis testing, packaging, labeling and dosage requirements. In June 2018, California’s three cannabis regulatory agencies — the Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC), California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — convened to amend and re-adopt the emergency regulations that would go in effect for the next 180 days, during which, the three licensing agencies adopt the final non-emergency rules and regulations.
The regulators adopted emergency rules governing cannabis licensing and regulations in fall 2017. After the regulations went into effect on January 1, 2018, when California’s cannabis market expanded from medical to recreational adult-use, the BCC also granted licensees a 6-month transitionary period to allow for businesses entering the market to sell offnon-compliant inventory.
“The three licensing authorities are proposing some changes to the regulatory provisions to provide greater clarity to licensees and to address issues that have arisen since the emergency regulations went into effect,” BCC officials said in a written statement,
Some businesses will struggle to meet the new standards, meaning fewer tested products on retailers’ shelves.
Cris Scagliotti, President of Green Cross Pharma dispensary in Cathedral City, told the Desert Sun newspaper he is worried manufacturers won’t be able to provide enough legal product in time for the deadline July 1, 2018.
“You can’t reinvent an industry in six months,” she told the newspaper. “It’s just not enough time.”
Retail shops feeling the pressure have gone to drastic measure to quickly move non-compliant cannabis, which will have to be destroyed following the end of the transition period.
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— AirfieldSupplyCo (@Airfieldsupply) June 27, 2018
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plus Joints‼️‼️— Patient’s Care Collective (@BerkeleyPCC) June 27, 2018
We have super summer savings happening now!!
These deals won’t last long! pic.twitter.com/uuOqvIa1C1— Harborside San Jose (@Harborside_SJ) June 27, 2018
Meanwhile, consumers are on the lookout for flash sales and low prices as dispensaries attempt to clear out their inventory over the weekend.
The weed deals in California right now are higher than @tommychong
— Rachel Wolfson (@wolfiecomedy) June 25, 2018
California is making distributors get rid of all their pre-regulation weed. Get ready to see some sales! https://t.co/SOAtcvVJx4
— Sham Astronomer (@Chancesum) June 26, 2018