NEWS & RESOURCES

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) has seized more than $168 million in illicit cannabis and tobacco products since 2019, including nearly $22 million during the first half of 2026 alone. This is welcome news for California’s licensed cannabis operators, and it represents meaningful progress on an enforcement priority the California Cannabis Operators Association (CaCOA) has worked diligently to eleva

The California Cannabis Operators Association (CaCOA) recently submitted formal comments to the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) on its proposed Track and Trace Updates, docket DCC-2026-02-R.

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.

California Cannabis Operator Association's (CaCOA) Executive Director Amy O'Gorman Jenkins breaks down California's 2026 cannabis legislative session: 21 bills, enforcement reform, the packaging debate, tribal cannabis, and why the policy conversation has finally matured.

California law bans cannabis packaging that is “attractive to children.” Everyone agrees with that goal. The problem is that nobody can agree on what the rule actually means, and that ambiguity is imposing real costs on licensed cannabis operators trying to comply in good faith.

CaCOA supports the Department's efforts to modernize cannabis testing requirements based on emerging science and data. The proposed changes include positive updates, such as clarifying outdated action levels, expanding the pesticide testing panel, and adjusting thresholds where strong safety data justifies the changes.

Thanks to consistent advocacy by CaCOA and our members, the DCC has taken a thoughtful and practical step to ensure cannabis infused product sales remain compliant and manageable for retailers across the state.

CaCOA submitted comprehensive feedback to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) regarding their proposed industrial hemp regulations. Our comments focused on the critical need to establish clear definitions before addressing serving sizes and age restrictions for hemp products.