Happy New Year San Diego ASA members! 2023 was a busy year for cannabis, with many wins and challenges.
National
WHERE WE’VE BEEN: On the national level, Biden issued additional pardons for those with cannabis-related convictions and granted clemency to 11 people with disproportionately long jail sentences. The Department of Health and Human Services recommended rescheduling cannabis to a less restrictive level.
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED: Federal policymakers are loosening around cannabis — likely due to overwhelming public support for medical cannabis and increasing research on its beneficial properties — but not without limits. While Schedule III would be an improvement from cannabis’ current status as a Schedule I controlled drug, it would still come with harsh penalties for unlawful possession and distribution.
WHERE WE’RE GOING: Continue contacting your federal lawmakers to demand less restrictive policies around cannabis.
State
WHERE WE’VE BEEN: On the state level, voters decided to extend Ryan’s Law, allowing all chronically ill persons over the age of 65 to use non-inhalable forms of cannabis in certain healthcare facilities; to prohibit employment discrimination based on off-the-job cannabis use; and to permit the California Department of Cannabis Control to issue provisional licenses for local equity applicants indefinitely if they meet pre-specified requirements. Governor Newsom vetoed a bill that would have allowed the sale of non-cannabis-infused food and beverages at cannabis consumption lounges and another that would have created additional cannabis packaging and labeling restrictions. He signed numerous other bills related to consumer protections and industry regulations, including enforcement and oversight. Small growers continue to be squeezed out of the market by high operating costs and plummeting prices on cannabis.
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED: Cannabis continues to gain more acceptance in California, as 2023 brought many new protections for consumers. However, small and legacy cannabis growers are falling by the wayside as larger, wealthier operations benefit from being better able to withstand the high costs and hurdles associated with operating in the legal cannabis market.
WHERE WE’RE GOING: Contact your state lawmakers to demand additional protections (e.g., housing protections) for cannabis consumers, especially medical cannabis patients. Support small cannabis operators and advocate for regulatory changes that will help them remain competitive with larger ones.
Local
WHERE WE’VE BEEN: On the local level, we received $800,000 in grants from the state for the city’s cannabis social equity program and we successfully lobbied for an additional $1 million in grants from the city (after previously having $0 included in the budget). In August, the City’s Cannabis Social Equity and Economic Development (SEED) plan was abruptly transferred from the Cannabis Business Division to the Office of Race and Equity. More recently, the City failed to apply for the phase 2 GoBiz social equity grant by the deadline. This grant would have provided an additional $2 million in funding for the social equity program.
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED: It appears that progress on the city’s social equity plan has stalled, despite much effort from cannabis activists (read about the Roll Up for Equity campaign). As Lawrence Wilson of the San Diego Diversity Cannabis Group stated, “Despite clear proposals from the City’s Cannabis Business Division, there appears to be a pivot in the program’s direction. Under Chief of Staff’s guidance, the Mayor’s approach seems to align more with certain political influencers and special interests, and high paid lobbyists deviating from the originally proposed plans.”
WHERE WE’RE GOING: Continue advocating for the SEED plan by attending our Rally for Cannabis Social Equity at the Mayor’s State of the City address on January 10th, 6:00 PM at the Balboa Theatre, and remember to take our Roll Up for Equity survey if you haven’t already.
Today is a great day to reflect on the successes that we worked hard for in the previous year. Tomorrow, we will resume our work advocating for safe and equitable access to medical cannabis. Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2024!
Thank you for this! I am grateful there’s a place to get the latest news. The website overhaul is very exciting. We have SDASA Co-Chair, Shelby Huffaker to thank for it.
Thank you for this! I am grateful there’s place to get the latest news. The website overhaul is very exciting. We have SDASA C-o-Chair, Shelby Huffaker to thank for