--- title: "A Review Of California’s 2019 Legislative Session: What Are The New Cannabis Laws? (UPDATED)" description: California’s 2019 legislative session closed on September 13, 2019. In addition to the three (3) new laws from this session, there are eleven (11) bills that will be presented to Governor Newsom for his signature before October 13, 2019, or they will automatically become law. So, what is the status of the cannabis and hemp-related […] image: https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66525ec138843cc1ccb1c325/68c301ebaa36be33aa2af8f7_1a3f16114a452999cc4d7d6b36ae1602_Obedio%20march%20of%20progress.png --- [Skip to content](https://hs.getobedio.com/blog/2019/09/17/2019-9-17-a-review-of-californias-2019-legislative-session-what-are-the-new-cannabis-laws-updated#main-content) [![Obedio logo with black text and an orange graphic composed of four circles and a diagonal arrow pointing up and right.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66525ec138843cc1ccb1c325/66529844eddaa630d6da1b42_obedio%20gold%20for%20white%20background.png)](https://getobedio.com) [Team](https://www.getobedio.com/team) [Pricing](https://www.getobedio.com/pricing) [Contact](https://www.getobedio.com/demo) [Blog](https://www.getobedio.com/blog) [Login](https://obed.io/v4/login) California # A Review Of California’s 2019 Legislative Session: What Are The New Cannabis Laws? (UPDATED) ![Susan Ameel](https://7528315.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528315/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-cms-elevate-theme_hubspot/elevate/images/avatar-placeholder.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=avatar-placeholder.jpg) Susan Ameel September 17, 2019 California’s 2019 legislative session closed on September 13, 2019. In addition to the three (3) new laws from this session, there are eleven (11) bills that will be presented to Governor Newsom for his signature before October 13, 2019, or they will automatically become law. So, what is the status of the cannabis and hemp-related bills from 2019? We have analyzed over forty (40) cannabis and hemp-related bills that were introduced during the 2019 legislative session. Below we provide a high-level status for the bills, a summary of the impact and next steps for those that have successfully made it through the process. - **New Laws:** Governor Newsom has signed three (3) new laws related that, among other things, establish an organic cannabis program and establish cannabis and hemp as agricultural commodities. - **Bills Passed by the California Legislature**: There are eleven (11) bills that are waiting to be presented to the Governor to be signed into law or vetoed by October 13, 2019. One bill will allow individuals to deduct cannabis business-related expenses from personal taxes in California. - **Bills Close to the Finish Line (Did Not Pass)**: Two (2) bills must pass the third reading by September 13, 2019 in order to be presented to the Governor including a bill requiring the disclosure of licensee disciplinary information. - **Bills Rendered Inactive or in Committee**: Twenty-five (25) bills will not be moving forward as they have been rendered inactive or are in a committee including [AB-228](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB228&firstNav=tracking) Food, beverage, and cosmetic adulterants: industrial hemp products. **New Laws** - [AB-97](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB97&firstNav=tracking)*Cannabis.* (07/01/2019) Various changes to cannabis regulations including establishing a fine structure that a $5,000 per violation for licensees and $30,000 per violation for an unlicensed person, per day, and requires the state to establish an organic certification program for cannabis no later than July 1, 2021. - [SB-657](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB657&firstNav=tracking) *Cannabis cultivation: county agricultural commissioners: reporting*. (09/05/2019) Requires the county agricultural commissioner to report to the secretary of state the total acreage, production of value of cannabis produced in the commissioner’s county. - [SB-527](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB527&firstNav=tracking) *Local government: Williamson Act: cultivation of cannabis and hemp*. (09/06/2019) Includes cannabis and hemp in the definition of an agricultural commodity that qualifies as an appropriate use in an agricultural preserve. **Bills Passed by the California Legislature (Bills waiting to be engrossed or presented to the Governor)** - [AB-37:](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB37) *Personal income taxes: deductions: business expenses: commercial cannabis activity*. (09/09/2019) The bill allows individuals to deduct cannabis business expenses from personal tax liabilities under the California Tax Code. Governor Brown vetoed a similar bill last year due to the fiscal impact, which is estimated to be tens of millions of dollars a year. - [AB-397](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB397) *Vehicles: driving under the influence*. (09/09/2019) Requires state courts to indicate that a driver was under the influence of cannabis when convicted for driving under the influence by January 1, 2022. Governor Brown vetoed a similar bill last year due to the costs associated with retrofitting state technology. - [AB-404](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB404&firstNav=tracking) *Commercial cannabis activity: testing laboratories*. The bill allows independent testing facilities to amend a certificate of analysis to correct minor errors. The bill also allows the testing facility to retest samples due to equipment malfunction or employee errors after receiving approval from the Bureau of Cannabis Control. - [AB-420](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB420) *The California Cannabis Research Program*. (09/09/2019) Authorizes the cultivation of cannabis pursuant to federal and state laws by the University of California San Diego Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research to study the effects of cannabis, cannabinoids and other related constituents. - [AB-858](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB858) *Cannabis: cultivation*. (09/09/2019) Amend the Type 1C outdoor cultivation licenses to permit a maximum of 2,500 or fewer feet of canopy size or up to 25 mature plants. - [AB-1291](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1291) *Adult-use cannabis and medicinal cannabis: license application: labor peace agreements*. (09/09/2019) The bill requires applicants for a medical or adult-use cannabis license to provide a notarized statement that it will enter into a labor peace agreement if the entity employs 20 or more persons or applicants must provide a notarized statement agreeing to abide by the terms of a labor peace agreement within 60 days of hiring the 20th employee. - [SB-34](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB34&firstNav=tracking) *Cannabis: donations*. Assembly-In Floor Process-Third Reading. (Scheduled 09/10/2019) The bill permits cannabis retailers to provide free medical cannabis to patients and caregivers under certain circumstances. - [SB-153](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB153&firstNav=tracking) *Industrial hemp*. Assembly-In Floor Process-Third Reading. (Scheduled 09/10/2019)The bill aligns the existing industrial hemp law to the state plan that California will submit to the USDA by May 1, 2020. The bill also requires county agricultural commissioners to perform additional responsibilities including enforcement. - [SB-185](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB185&firstNav=tracking) *Cannabis: marketing*. Assembly-In Floor Process-Third Reading (Scheduled 09/10/2019). The bill will only be enacted if SB-34 is enacted. The bill prohibits cultivators from misrepresenting the county where cannabis was grown. - [SB-223](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB223&firstNav=tracking) *Pupil health: administration of medicinal cannabis: schoolsites*. (09/06/2019) Permits a school nurse or other school administrator to provide a student with medical cannabis in accordance with written instructions provided by a doctor. - [SB-595](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB595&firstNav=tracking) *Cannabis: state licensing fee waivers: needs-based applicants and licensees: local equity applicants and licensees*. Assembly-In Floor Process-Third Reading. (Scheduled 09/10/2019)The bill provides a waiver or deferral of licensing or renewal fees for needs-based applicants. **Bills Close to the Finish Line (Did Not Pass)** - [AB-545](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB545&firstNav=tracking) *Cannabis: Bureau of Cannabis Control*. Senate-In Floor Process-Third Reading. The bill requires the Joint Sunset Review Committee to perform a review as if the MAUCRSA was repealed as of January 1, 2023. - [SB-581](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB581&firstNav=tracking) *Cannabis: licensing: public records*. Assembly-In Floor Process-Third Reading. (Scheduled 09/10/2019) The bill requires regulators to make information about licensees publicly available including disciplinary information. **Bills Rendered Inactive** - [SB-51](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB51&firstNav=tracking) *Financial institutions: cannabis*. (09/09/2019) – The bill created the Cannabis Limited Charter Banking and Credit Union Law to provide banking services to cannabis businesses. - [SB-625](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB625&firstNav=tracking) *Party buses: cannabis*. (09/05/2019) The bill required cannabis party buses to install a sealed off compartment for the driver that contained a ventilation system. - [AB-1356](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1356&firstNav=tracking) *Cannabis: local jurisdictions: retail commercial cannabis activity.* (05/30/2019) Required local municipalities to permit a specific number of retail cannabis establishments based on the voter’s support of Proposition 64. **Bills in the Appropriations Committee (Bills will not be presented to the floor for a vote)** - [AB-228](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB228&firstNav=tracking) Food, beverage, and cosmetic adulterants: industrial hemp products. - [AB-286](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB286&firstNav=tracking) Taxation: cannabis. - [AB-1288](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1288&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis: track and trace. - [AB-1417](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1417&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis advertisement and marketing. - [AB-1420](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1420&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis: licensing fees. - [AB-1465](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1465&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis: consumption cafe/lounge license. - [SB-475](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB475&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis: trade samples. - [SB-658](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB658&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis: licensing: cannabis retail business emblem: track and trace. - [SB-627](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB627&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis and cannabis products: medicinal use on an animal: veterinary medicine. **Bills in Other Committees (Committees ceased meeting as of September 3, 2019)** - [AB-953](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB953&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis: state and local taxes: payment by digital asset. - [AB-1458](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1458&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis testing laboratories.Assembly-In Committee Process-Business and Professions - [AB-1461](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1461&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis: testing laboratories.Assembly-In Committee Process-Business and Professions - [AB-1470](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1470&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis testing.Assembly-In Committee Process-Business and Professions - [AB-1529](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1529&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis vaporizing cartridges: universal symbol.Assembly-In Committee Process-Business and Professions - [AB-1530](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1530&firstNav=tracking) Unauthorized cannabis activity reduction grants: local jurisdiction restrictions on cannabis delivery.Assembly-In Committee Process-Business and Professions - [AB-1569](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1569&firstNav=tracking) Sales and use tax: medicinal cannabis: veterans.Assembly-In Committee Process-Revenue and Taxation - [AB-1678](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1678&firstNav=tracking) Indoor-Grown Cannabis Commission.Assembly-In Committee Process-Agriculture - [AB-1710](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB1710&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis.Senate-In Committee Process-Business, Professions and Economic Development - [SB-67](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB67&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis: temporary licenses.Assembly-In Committee Process-Business and Professions - [SB-97](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB97&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis.Assembly-In Committee Process-Budget - [SB-684](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB684&firstNav=tracking) Traffic safety: driving under the influence of cannabis pilot program.Senate-In Committee Process-Public Safety - [SJR-10](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SJR10&firstNav=tracking) Cannabis: federal schedules.Senate-In Committee Process-Public Safety ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fhs.getobedio.com%2Fblog%2F2019%2F09%2F17%2F2019-9-17-a-review-of-californias-2019-legislative-session-what-are-the-new-cannabis-laws-updated](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fhs.getobedio.com%2Fblog%2F2019%2F09%2F17%2F2019-9-17-a-review-of-californias-2019-legislative-session-what-are-the-new-cannabis-laws-updated) ## Keep reading ### [California Ballot Measure Local Municipalities California voters will decide 118 local tax measures and $8.07 billion in bond requests on November 3](https://hs.getobedio.com/blog/california-voters-will-decide-118-local-tax-measures-and-8.07-billion-in-bond-requests-on-november-3) ### [Local Ordinance Zoning Ordinance Development Data Federal Realty Asks La Mesa to Approve a 165,000-Square-Foot Bass Pro Shops Where Macy's Stood at Grossmont Center](https://hs.getobedio.com/blog/federal-realty-asks-la-mesa-to-approve-a-165000-square-foot-bass-pro-shops-where-macys-stood-at-grossmont-center) [![Obedio your municipal data source](https://hs.getobedio.com/hs-fs/hubfs/google%20workspace-1.png?width=100&height=41&name=google%20workspace-1.png "Obedio your municipal data source")](https://getobedio.com) Obedio's business intelligence platform provides data and insights from over 25,000 municipalities, enabling retail, manufacturing, finance, real estate, and government clients to make informed decisions, assess risk, and identify opportunities. **Data Source & Liability Disclaimer:** The data presented on this website is aggregated from various official government and public entities ("The Original Government Sources"). This data may have been modified for use from its original source. The Original Government Sources do not vouch for the quality, accuracy, or timeliness of the data as presented here. All data is provided "as is." Neither Global Regulatory Risk Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Obedio) nor The Original Government Sources make any representations or warranties as to the completeness, accuracy, or content of any data made available through this site. All warranties, whether express or implied, including implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, are expressly disclaimed. **Usage & Intellectual Property:** While the underlying facts are public records, the specific compilation, organization, and presentation of this information are proprietary to ****Global Regulatory Risk Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Obedio)****. Any unauthorized copying, distribution, or display of this proprietary presentation is prohibited. Copyright © 2018–2026 Global Regulatory Risk Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Obedio) [|](https://getobedio.com/privacy)[Terms of Service](https://getobedio.com/terms)[|](https://getobedio.com/privacy)[Privacy Policy](https://getobedio.com/privacy) Privacy Policy · Legal · © 2025. All rights reserved. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Susan Ameel", "url" : "https://hs.getobedio.com/blog/author/susan-ameel" }, "dateModified" : "2025-02-28T01:32:54.432Z", "datePublished" : "2019-09-17T13:22:11.000Z", "headline" : "A Review Of California’s 2019 Legislative Session: What Are The New Cannabis Laws? (UPDATED)", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://hs.getobedio.com/blog/2019/09/17/2019-9-17-a-review-of-californias-2019-legislative-session-what-are-the-new-cannabis-laws-updated", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://hs.getobedio.com/hubfs/google%20workspace-1.png" } } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://hs.getobedio.com/blog/2019/09/17/2019-9-17-a-review-of-californias-2019-legislative-session-what-are-the-new-cannabis-laws-updated#breadcrumb", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.getobedio.com/", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://hs.getobedio.com/blog", "name" : "Blog", "position" : 2 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://hs.getobedio.com/blog/2019/09/17/2019-9-17-a-review-of-californias-2019-legislative-session-what-are-the-new-cannabis-laws-updated", "name" : "A Review Of California’s 2019 Legislative Session: What Are The New Cannabis Laws? (UPDATED)", "position" : 3 } ] } ```