To: Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Rex Bohn and Supervisor Michelle Bushnell
Agenda Section: Initiated by Board Member
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Letter Opposing Assembly Bill 2223 (Aguiar-Curry) Unless Amended
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Chair to sign the attached letter opposing Assembly Bill 2223 unless amended.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommended action supports the following areas of the Board of Supervisors' Strategic Plan:
Area of Focus: A Diverse, Equitable & Robust Economy
Strategic Plan Category: 2001 - Promote strong economic resiliency and growth
DISCUSSION:
California's retail market has recently seen a flood of intoxicating hemp products hit traditional beverage retail and online stores, making it incredibly easy for consumers and youth to access. These products often contain high levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and because they are not treated like cannabis they are untested, untaxed and unregulated. This development poses a threat to public health, the cannabis industry and Humboldt County farmers.
Assembly Bill (AB) 2223 (Aguiar-Curry) (Attachment 3) would provide certain protections regarding intoxicating hemp, but there are still significant local concerns. As currently written, the bill would create a pathway to integrate hemp products into the cannabis marketplace, regulated by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC). It also would revise requirements governing industrial hemp products to clarify and expand the prohibition on synthetic forms of THC, and would establish a seizure and embargo process for unlawful hemp products. The bill has been amended via proposed technical assistance (TA) late in the legislative session and is a priority for the Governor. The proposed TA intends to achieve four primary objectives:
1. Prohibit the inclusion of synthetic cannabinoids in cannabis and hemp-derived products. Synthetic cannabinoids will be ...
Click here for full text