California Cannabis in 2026: What's on the Line this Legislative Session

Last year was a turning point. The California Cannabis Operators Association (CaCOA) helped roll back the cannabis excise tax increase and secured comprehensive protections against intoxicating hemp products through AB 8. Those were hard-fought wins, and they changed the conversation in Sacramento.

Now, the focus has shifted. In a recent video, CaCOA's Executive Director Amy O'Gorman Jenkins walks through what the 2026 legislative session looks like, why enforcement is the dominant theme, and what 21 active bills could mean for your business.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc6ggDADKNo

Amy covers CaCOA’s sponsored bill: AB 2537 (Chen), which would establish a risk-based enforcement framework requiring the Department of Cannabis Control to prioritize real violations, such as diversion and tax evasion, over petty paperwork citations. She also highlights AB 1826 (Lackey), which targets flawed recall and embargo procedures.

She also gets candid about the cannabis packaging and marketing to children debate that's back on the table, the emerging tribal cannabis bill that raises serious questions about tax parity and regulatory equivalency, and why CaCOA is weighing in on nitrous oxide legislation as part of a broader push to hold all intoxicating products to comparable consumer protections.

There's also a reason to be cautiously optimistic. New DCC Director Clint Kellum is showing up, listening, and signaling a genuine interest in working with the legal cannabis industry.

GO DEEPER:

• 2026 Cannabis Legislative Update: Bill Summaries and Recommended Positions (by Amy O'Gorman Jenkins)

• The Packaging Problem: The High Cost of an Undefined Standard (CaCOA's latest white paper by Tiffany Devitt)

Want to weigh in on California cannabis legislation and policy? Join CaCOA today - we're proud to serve as the state's largest cannabis industry association.