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California Cities Condemn Statewide Cannabis Deliveries

California Cities Condemn Statewide Cannabis Deliveries
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California Cities Condemn Statewide Cannabis Deliveries

Things are starting to get a little tricky for California delivery services.

Although California legalized recreational cannabis back on January 1st, regulations of the plant remain up-in-the-air. The state—suprisingly enough—has been pretty stringent in its initial set of laws governing the leisurely use of weed. This includes strict zoning laws, a strict separation of legal weed and alcohol, and a heavily regulated cultivation sector—something, many critics argue, is a little too tightly wound.

Now, it looks like you can add the restriction of cannabis delivery services to that list.

Because, according to a report by the AP, several cities throughout the state are clamping down on the possibility of any such services—despite the inherent sensibility of the business model.

California Cities Condemn Statewide Cannabis Deliveries

Despite the passing of Proposition 64 back in 2016, not everyone in California is thrilled with the emerging market. In fact, there have been a number of cities that have outright banned local recreational pot sales, which, in turn, has hindered dispensaries’ delivery services.

While delivery services in California are legal in itself, the state is clamping down on these businesses delivering to banned zones.

According to the AP report, the state Bureau of Cannabis Control proposed a change to the law. Essentially, the group has formally asked California to broaden their views on cannabis deliveries. Or, in other words, make good on some of the promises outlined in Proposition 64.

The law explicitly says that “a local jurisdiction shall not prevent delivery of cannabis or cannabis products on public roads” by a licensed dispensary. However, the law also states that local governments have the jurisdiction to ban any non-medicinal marijuana sales at their own discretion.

In essence, the entire ordeal comes down to semantics.

Local lawmakers contend that the prevalence of such unchecked services could potentially open up gateways to further black market businesses, in addition to undermining law enforcement.

In a letter to the California lawmakers, the League of California Cities urged the state not to change the current laws regarding delivery services.

“An influx of unapproved local cannabis deliveries will decrease transparency of cannabis operations and increase public safety obligations and costs for local law enforcement,” the letter said.

The Future of Cannabis Deliveries

As it stands, the state has not made any changes to its laws regarding cannabis deliveries. The proposal, which was meant to clarify some of the difficult language within Proposition 64, stalled out in the Senate. However, it remains to be seen whether or not the state will undermine local government ordinances, and ultimately allow deliveries in recreational pot-free zones.

Regardless, this shouldn’t change much when it comes to the current climate recreational sales. Regulated deliveries within areas that allow unmedicated pot remain as legal as ever, and it doesn’t look like that will be impacted by the failed proposal.

Simply put, marijuana deliveries are still allowed, wherever recreational marijuana is allowed.

And while California might be somewhat stringent when it comes to some of their regulations, it isn’t all too shocking that the state struggles with regulating delivery services. In Canada, for example, there is a bike delivery service in Vancouver that promises a 20-minute or under delivery time. However, police are a bit perplexed when it comes to the legality of it—especially ahead of the country’s October 17th target date for recreational marijuana.

“When the Cannabis Act is passed, this behavior would be an offense under the Cannabis Act. But until the Cannabis Act comes into effect we won’t know for sure,” Sgt. Jason Robillard told the Vancouver Sun. 

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