Victory: AB 762 Amendment Removes Cannabis Vaping Devices

Laura Braden
5 days ago
2 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

The California cannabis industry has secured a significant legislative victory. Following coordinated advocacy led by the California Cannabis Operators Association (CaCOA), Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin has agreed to amend Assembly Bill 762 to remove all-in-one (AIO) cannabis vaping devices from the bill's scope.

AB 762 originally proposed prohibiting the manufacture and sale of AIO cannabis vapes. While the bill's environmental intent was sound, its scope included all integrated cannabis vapes, regulated, tested products that represent a critical category within California's legal cannabis market.

Cannabis Industry’s Concerns and Amendment's Impact

Without the amendment, the original language would have prohibited the sale of AIO cannabis vapes, beginning January 1, 2028. This restriction would have had significant public health consequences: patients and consumers would have shifted to untested, unlicensed products available through illicit channels.

The amendment protects three essential outcomes for California's legal cannabis economy:

Patients maintain access to safe, regulated medical devices that provide precise dosing for chronic pain management, neurological conditions, and other therapeutic uses.
Consumers can choose to remain in California's regulated market rather than seek products from unlicensed retailers that contribute no tax revenue and maintain no safety standards.
The state preserves tax revenue that funds essential programs, including childcare and public health initiatives.

This outcome reflects the power of organized, professional industry representation. CaCOA's leadership in coordinating the coalition, combined with respectful engagement with Assemblymember Irwin's office, created the conditions for meaningful dialogue.

Rather than confrontational opposition, CaCOA presented sound data-driven concerns, highlighting the unintended public health or fiscal consequences. The amendment process demonstrates that California policymakers respond when industry stakeholders bring evidence, foster meaningful relationships with policymakers, and offer constructive alternatives.

As California's cannabis market faces ongoing challenges, including declining sales, increased competition from the illicit market, and evolving regulatory pressures, advocacy organizations that maintain credibility and strategic focus become invaluable resources for both members and legislators seeking to understand complex policy implications.