AM Alert: What will state medical marijuana regulations look like?

The state-level medical cannabis regulations Gov. Jerry Brown signed last year after years of thwarted efforts will govern every aspect of California’s sprawling pot industry, from cultivation to testing to delivery to sales.

Plenty of political observes have their eyes on the legalization ballot fight, but policymakers are also focused on making the medical rules work. Today the California Cannabis Industry Association, whose stepped-up lobbying presence testifies to pot industry players getting organized and politically involved, is putting on a summit at the Crest Theater. Speakers will include state Board of Equalization Member Fiona Ma, who has pushed for safer pot banking, longtime law enforcement lobbyist John Lovell, and representatives of the State Water Resources Control Board and the California Medical Association.

After the morning confab concludes the action shifts to the Capitol, where a trio of Assembly committees will hold a hearing on the incoming regs. Lawmakers will hear from officials from the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Food and Agriculture – each agency will have a role in issuing licenses or overseeing a section of the industry – and from folks representing the industry and local governments. The hearing starts at 1:30 p.m. in room 4202.

STRIKERS: Labor discontent continues to simmer at the California State University, where the faculty union recently voted to authorize a strike if they can’t forge a salary deal. Members of the the California Faculty Association and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor will talk about what happens next during a conference today at Cal State Los Angeles.

COMMUNITY: Meanwhile, over in the community college system, people are gathering for a board of governors meeting that will include an update on Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget proposal and a “state of the system” speech from Chancellor Brice W. Harris. At 1102 Q street.

WORKING WOMEN: Policymakers have tried to chip away at the gender pay gap, including with a widely hailed equal pay bill last year. A hearing today will focus specifically on lower wages for women of color. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in room 126.

CELEBRATIONS: Happy birthday to Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen, R-Riverbank, who turns 42 today.

TODAY’S VIDEO:

This story was originally published January 18, 2016 at 10:00 PM with the headline "AM Alert: What will state medical marijuana regulations look like?."