SACRAMENTO – This weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the signing of Senate Bill 540 authored by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz). SB 540 will promote safe cannabis use by requiring the state to develop an informational brochure that will serve as a valuable resource for individuals and new customers interested in cannabis use. This bill will also require the state to review labeling requirements every five years to ensure warnings keep up with evolving science.
“I’d like to thank Governor Newsom for signing Senate Bill 540 which will promote responsible and informed cannabis consumption,” stated Senator Laird. “The informational brochure that will be created and provided under SB 540 will empower individuals with knowledge, promote responsible consumption and minimize potential harm. Lastly, this bill makes progress to ensure warnings on cannabis products reflect evolving science.”
Senate Bill 540 will require the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and the Department of Public Health to create a safe cannabis use brochure that will be offered to new consumers, be prominently displayed at the point of sale, and available for all consumers upon request. This bill also requires the Department of Cannabis Control to routinely reevaluate regulations, every five years, based on evolving science to determine if additional warnings on cannabis products are needed
Current law explicitly prohibits cannabis packages and labels from being designed to attract children and prohibits the labeling of cannabis from containing statements that are potentially deceptive or false. While the DCC has been engaged in multiple public awareness campaigns to improve consumer safety, combat the illicit market, and encourage responsible consumption, concerns persist over whether the existing labeling requirements for cannabis are sufficient to inform consumers and deter youth access. Evolving science on the risks and benefits of cannabis also necessitates an ongoing review of existing labeling requirements and the development of other educational materials.
“Current law sets clear and rigorous standards for cannabis packaging and labeling, but as science evolves around cannabis research, so must our laws that regulate the industry. Senate Bill 540 is a balanced approach to promoting responsible and informed cannabis consumption guided by science.”
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Senator John Laird represents the 17th State Senate District, which includes all of Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties, the majority of Monterey County, as well as parts of Santa Clara County. More information on Senator Laird can be found here.