SACRAMENTO – Recognizing a gap in cannabis licensing and permitting, Assemblymember Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) authored AB 2020, to grant local jurisdictions the power to determine what venues temporary cannabis events can happen in. AB 2020 was signed into law by Governor Brown today.
“Cannabis events support local economies and small businesses. Despite the fiscal and communal benefits such events bring to a city or local community, current law prohibits local governments from approving applications for cannabis sales at special events if they are held anywhere but on county fairgrounds,” explained Assemblymember Quirk. AB 2020 remedies this gap by allowing local governments to approve temporary cannabis event licenses at any venue they wish to permit.
In some counties, the distance to get to the county fairground can be hundreds of miles away and take hours to get to. Several cities have expressed interest in approving temporary events but were frustrated by unnecessary hurdles in statute.
AB 2020 has provisions granting the Bureau of Cannabis Control, and law enforcement, the authority to revoke a permit or end an event for any unlawful or unpermitted activity identified at the event. Additionally, these events must respect any local and state ordinances regarding second hand smoke.
“I want to thank Assemblymember Quirk for his leadership, hard work, and determination in authoring AB 2020 and his efforts with getting the bill to the Governor,” said Rebecca Kaplan, author of the first “tax and regulate” law for cannabis in the nation and council member at-large for the City of Oakland, the sponsor of AB 2020. “I also want to thank Governor Brown for signing this landmark legislation. With this bill now law, any local jurisdiction can choose to take part in this robust industry, while supporting small businesses, enhancing regional economic opportunities, and maintaining safety.”
AB 2020 was a collaborative effort among industry experts, local governments, and law enforcement.
“I want to give my appreciation to everyone who took part in the discussions around this issue, and thank the Governor for signing this important piece of legislation into law. Under this bill, the state has given our cities more autonomy in determining where and how temporary cannabis events take place throughout California,” said Assemblymember Quirk upon learning his bill was signed.
AB 2020 will go into effect on January 1, 2019.
