California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that gives cities and local municipalities the authority to issue temporary cannabis event permits at any venue, reports CBS Local.
Previously, cannabis events were required by law to be held only at county fairgrounds. California being as large as it is, those fairgrounds might be hundreds of miles and hours of driving from some cities.
The bill AB 2020, now law, was authored by Assemblymember Bill Quirk specifically to patch the hole in cannabis permitting that started to become an issue earlier this year. The previous rules were making it nearly impossible for cannabis events to operate as, even in the few venues allowed, municipalities would often decline to issue permits.
AB 2020 also gives the state Bureau of Cannabis Control and law enforcement the ability to revoke a permit or shutter an event for any unlawful activity. Events permitted must also adhere to state laws regarding second-hand smoke.
“I want to thank Assemblymember Quirk for his leadership, hard work and determination in authoring AB 2020 and his efforts with getting the bill to the Governor. I also want to thank Governor Brown for signing this landmark legislation. With this bill now law, any local jurisdiction can choose to take part in this robust industry, while supporting small businesses, enhancing regional economic opportunities, and maintaining safety.” — Oakland City Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, via CBS Local