In an effort to create a strong political presence for the cannabis industry within the state of California, two entities: The Los Angeles – California Growers Association
(CalGrowers) and Southern California Coalition (SoCal Coalition) recently joined forces. Small cannabis businesses in the state, say representatives from both entities, are facing obstacles to legitimacy due to inordinate amounts of paperwork, over-taxation and over-regulation. But in the end, they say hurting the industry on the local level, prevents opportunities to help patients as well as build local economies.
“By bringing its memberships together, CalGrowers and SoCal Coalition will expand the cannabis industry’s statewide network, reach and influence,” said representatives from the new collaboration.
The combined organizations represent more than 1,600 members in total, they said, including more than 1,000 growers and cultivators, along with 600+ retailers, manufacturers, lab testers, distributors, delivery services and ancillary businesses.
While working across the cannabis industry’s business verticals, the groups will work to: knowledge-share and set industry best practices; raise awareness of important issues “such as over-taxation; and implement fair regulations at the state, county and local level.”
“Our memberships have been on the front lines fighting for the legitimacy of our industry at the local and state level for years,” said Adam Spiker, executive director of Southern California Coalition.
“While we’re winning on several fronts, our memberships still face a glaring lack of licensing opportunities and protection. There is much more we must accomplish, including addressing over taxation and shifting regulations. Constituents both locally and at the state level have demanded at the ballot box a regulated cannabis industry be implemented.
“Our collaboration will double down on holding policy makers to that commitment in a timely manner. The voters and policy makers are saying yes to cannabis regulation. With more cohesiveness and as additional members join on, we will be able to see more sensible policies enacted, markets open up and the power of our voice expand.”
Adult use of cannabis is legal in California under Prop. 64: The Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), approved by the voters on Nov 8, 2016. In general, AUMA allows adults 21 and over to possess, privately use, and give away up to one ounce of cannabis, and to cultivate no more than six plants for personal use at their residence. It also legalizes the commercial sale, distribution and production of cannabis for adult use at state-licensed facilities since January 1, under terms spelled out in the Medical and Adult Use of Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) approved by the legislature in 2017. Local city and county governments can restrict or ban cannabis businesses in their jurisdiction, according to California NORML, an organization dedicated to marijuana law reforms in the Golden State.
Cannabis remains legal for medical use by patients of all ages who have a physician’s recommendation under California’s 1996 medical marijuana law, Prop. 215.
“This (collaboration) is a great step towards unifying the cannabis industry in all parts of the state,” said California Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer.
“We’ve heard the will of the people loud and clear and I am committed to working with my colleagues to seeing a fairly regulated cannabis industry implemented in full. The longer that takes, the more those in the illicit market, who have no interest in ever being regulated, continue to win and be a threat to licensed businesses and our communities, patients and consumers.”
Since the passing of prop 64, only 187 retailers are actually legal in the state. This is partly due to different processes in different municipalities, according to Jones- Sawyer. For instance, it may take three to six months for some businesses and for others it may be a longer more drawn out process as city officials ensure that things like proper zoning are enforced.
But, said Spiker, the demand for cannabis in the state is too high not to speed up regulation processes.
“These are business people (not drug dealers) who care about the quality of their product and doing it right,” he said.
Added Jones–Sawyer, more legit cannabis businesses mean better, stronger local economies.
“California is the fifth largest economy in the world,” he said.
“This will bring jobs.”
The new collaboration not only aims to be the most powerful political voice for the cannabis industry in the state of California, but also to bring the strongest value to its members, said reps for the collaboration.
In the near future they said, the CalGrowers-SoCal Collaboration will release: its joint membership levels; a member-only networking portal; joint lobby days; and member-mixer events throughout the state in an effort to promote and encourage more across-state networking and collaboration on key issues.
