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Cannabis Policy Committee Update: Track and Trace, Group Tagging, and Packaging Rules
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
The California Cannabis Operators Association’s (CaCOA) Policy Committee met on July 15, 2026, to work through legislative and regulatory issues facing licensed operators.
Three items dominated the discussion: 1) the Department of Cannabis Control's (DCC) proposed Track and Trace regulations, 2) its proposed Group Tagging regulations, and 3) pending amendments to AB 2249 (Irwin) on cannabis packaging and labeling.
Here's where things stand.
Assembly Bill 2249 (Irwin): Packaging and Labeling
The Committee reviewed proposed amendments to AB 2249 (Irwin), including a new provision that would prohibit vape cartridge labeling that depicts flavors or strain names in a way that suggests the product is flavored.
Members raised concerns that this goes well beyond what the bill originally set out to do. CaCOA staff will continue working directly with the author's office to oppose this provision and keep the conversation focused on the bill's original intent.
Group Tagging Regulations (DCC-2026-01-R)
The Committee generally supports the direction of the DCC's proposed Group Tagging regulations, with a few targeted fixes in mind. Chief among them: extending the proposed three-day planting window for outdoor cultivation to seven days, to better reflect real-world weather delays and the scale of outdoor operations. Members also asked for clearer guidance on how “unique location” identifiers will work in practice.
CaCOA will submit written comments on this proposal by the July 27 deadline.
Track & Trace Updates (DCC-2026-02-R)
After extensive discussion, members overwhelmingly opposed the overall direction of the DCC's proposed Track and Trace updates. The concern isn't with the goals behind the changes. It's whether the specific requirements match what licensed businesses can actually absorb.
A few of the flashpoints:
Retail reporting. The proposal would require point-of-sale systems to capture and report nine additional tax-related data fields for CDTFA. Members questioned whether existing POS platforms can handle this without shifting the work onto budtenders at the register, slowing transactions and inviting more data-entry errors. Staff is consulting directly with Dutchie and other point-of-sale providers on what's technically feasible and what it would cost.
Certificates of Analysis. The Committee supports providing consumers with easier access to lab results via a QR code or barcode, rather than requiring retailers to print or separately transmit documentation for every request.
Distribution and testing. New documentation, manifest, and reporting requirements would fall heavily on distributors and testing labs. Staff is gathering input from those license types now to make sure CaCOA's formal comments reflect what's actually happening on loading docks and in labs, not just in Sacramento conference rooms.
What's Next in California Cannabis Policy
CaCOA's written comments on the Track and Trace regulations are due to the DCC on July 20, with a public hearing the following day. Staff is spending the coming days talking directly with retailers, distributors, testing labs, and technology providers to ensure our comment letter reflects the real operational impact across every license type that CaCOA represents.
“This is exactly the kind of work our members count on us for,” said Amy O'Gorman Jenkins, Executive Director of the California Cannabis Operators Association. “The DCC is trying to solve real problems, and we agree with plenty of what they're aiming for. Our job is to ensure the fix doesn't create new burdens that outweigh the benefits, especially for the small operators who make up most of this industry. We're at the table on every one of these issues, ensuring California’s legal cannabis market can grow and thrive.”
We'll keep members updated as these proposals move forward.
