California Cannabis Operators Praise State Legislature for Passing AB 8

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today, the California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 8 (Aguiar-Curry) to protect consumer health and safety and the legal cannabis market against unregulated products masquerading as "hemp." The CaCOA-endorsed bill now heads to Governor Newsom's desk for signing.

In response, CaCOA’s Executive Director, Amy O'Gorman Jenkins, issued the following:

“Today's vote is a major victory for public health and consumer safety in California. Assembly Bill 8 (Aguiar-Curry) passed the Legislature without opposition (31-0 in the Senate and 66-0 in the Assembly) a clear testament to the urgency and broad consensus behind this reform.

AB 8 closes dangerous loopholes that allow untested, unregulated intoxicating products to be sold online, at gas stations, in convenience stores, and online often reaching minors. By bringing hemp-derived THC products under proper oversight while preserving access to safe non-intoxicating products, we are one step closer to finally creating a level playing field our licensed cannabis businesses deserve.

This bill protects consumers from potentially harmful synthetic compounds and strengthens California's regulated cannabis market by ensuring all intoxicating products meet the rigorous safety standards voters demanded when they passed Proposition 64. We're proud to have championed this common-sense measure.

We extend our deep gratitude to Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry for her tireless leadership and to the Newsom Administration for working with us to craft meaningful amendments that strengthened the bill and helped secure bipartisan support. AB 8 draws a clear line: in California, intoxicating hemp products should no longer undercut public health, youth safety, or the integrity of our legal cannabis market.”

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