California May Allow Growers to Sell Weed at Farmers’ Markets
Last week, the Appropriations Committee of California’s Assembly passed the bill that seeks to allow small-scale cultivators to sell cannabis at farmers’ markets statewide. Assembly Bill 2691 will still require that a grower has a state license and all necessary local permits but will give them a chance to open up a stall at up to eight open-air markets per season.
The proposal is supposed to help the struggling legal weed economy in California and make the substance more available to the end consumer. The state legalized adult use in 2016 and the first recreational shops opened their doors on Jan 1, 2018.
A Means of Crushing the Black Market
Market analysis shows that 4 years after the legalization of cannabis sales to adults, tax revenues are still falling, and officials believe that this is the result of the pressure from the black market. Legal businesses find it hard to compete with street dealers because of the high taxes that they have to pay and the fierce opposition of many local governments which don’t want to allow dispensaries in their jurisdiction.
The proposed bill won’t solve any of these issues, but at least it will give small producers easier access to retail customers. And marijuana buds being sold at the market next to homegrown vegetables or jars of honey will hopefully lead to faster normalization and convince local authorities to moderate their tough stance on weed.
Still a Long Way to Go and Some Opposition to Overcome
The passing of the bill out of the Appropriations Committee last week is but the first step in adopting it as a law. The document will now go to vote in the Assembly Chamber, and if it passes there, will need to be approved by the Senate before going to the governor’s desk.
Some local officials have already voiced concern that the number of places that sell cannabis will increase in their communities. However, if the vote in the committee is any indication of the prevailing sentiments, the bill has a very good chance to pass as 12 votes were cast for it and only 2 against.
