Cannabis Industry Regulations

There are three licensing authorities that oversee all licensure for the cannabis industry in the State of California. They are broken down below, based on which types of licenses they issue.

 
 

 
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BUREAU OF CANNABIS CONTROL (BCC)

The BCC is housed within the Department of Consumer Affairs.

The BCC issues licenses for testing labs, distributors, retailers, and microbusinesses.

They can be reached as 1-800-952-5210 email: bcc@dca.ca.gov

BCC Website
 
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CALCANNABIS CULTIVATION LICENSING

The CalCannabis Program is housed within the Department of Food and Agriculture.

CalCannabis licenses cannabis cultivators and manages the track-and-trace system.

They can be reached at 1-833-CALGROW email: calcannabis@cdfa.ca.gov

CCL Website
 
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MANUFACTURED CANNABIS SAFETY BRANCH

The Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch is housed within the CA Department of Public Health

The MCSB licenses manufacturers of cannabis products, such as edibles and topical products.

They can be reached at 1-855-421-7887 email: mcsb@cdph.ca.gov 

MCSB Webpage
 

Resources concerning the regulations from each of the agencies above:

  • Emergency Regulations for Commercial Cannabis Distributors, Retailers, Microbusinesses, Temporary Cannabis Events, and Testing Laboratories.

  • BUREAU OF CANNABIS CONTROL PROPOSED TEXT OF REGULATIONS

  • Calcannabis FactSheet WHO DOES WHAT

  • Cannabis Cultivation License Application Overview

  • CDFA Cultivator Regulations

  • CDPH Breakdown

  • CDPH Proposed Medical Cannabis Manufacturing Regulations

  • The Shocking Reality: Legal vs. Illegal Cannabis Production Costs in California


 
 

Other CA Regulations

There are additionally authorities that oversee compliance for the cannabis industry in the State of California, which affect cannabis business licensing and permitting.

 
 
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California State Water Resources Control Board

California State Water Resources Control Board is a branch within California Environmental Protection Agency.

California State Water Resources Control Board issues licenses for water quality and water rights.

They can be reached at (916)341-5455 or (916)341-5300 email: based on region

WRCB Website
 
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California Department of Toxic Substance Control

California Department of Toxic Substance Control regulates Hazardous Material Business Plans and Hazardous Waste Management.

They can be reached at (800) 72TOXIC email: rao@dtsc.ca.gov

DTSC Website
 
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California Department of Fish and Wildlife

 California Department of Fish and Wildlife is a state agency under the California Natural Resources Agency.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife issues licenses for surface water diversions. 

Their contact information is based on region.

CDFW Website
 
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California Department of Tax and Fee Administration

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) issues seller permits and cannabis tax permits.

They can be reached at (800) 400-7115

CDTFA Website
 
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Labor.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) assures safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards.

They can be reached at (510) 286-7000

OSHA Website
 

All of these regulations are governed by California Law, Business and Profession Code. California Cannabis laws fall under Division 10 codes 26000-26231.2