Transition Time is Over…Enforcement is Now

August 30, 2018

Last week, the Bureau of Cannabis Control and the Department of Consumer Affairs' Division of Investigation – Cannabis Enforcement Unit coordinated with police departments in Sacramento and Costa Mesa to serve search warrants on unlicensed cannabis businesses. On August 22, 2018, a search warrant was served on an unlicensed cannabis home delivery business in Sacramento. Two days later, a search warrant was served on an unlicensed cannabis retail location in Costa Mesa.

Both investigations were initiated based on a complaint the Bureau received regarding each business. Both search warrants resulted in the seizure of cannabis, cannabis flower, concentrates, and edibles. The Costa Mesa search warrant also resulted in the arrest of an individual who was charged with four misdemeanor counts of unlawful transportation, sale and furnishing cannabis.

All commercial cannabis activity in California requires a license from one of California's three cannabis licensing agencies. Selling cannabis goods without a state license is a violation of state law.

Bottom Line: The transition period is over and the Bureau is taking action with enforcement. If your company has not applied for the appropriate licenses, now is the time or risk seizure or worse.