This week, the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee, chaired by Assembly Member Adam Gray (D-Merced), convened an oversight hearing on the possible regulatory framework for commercial cannabis on sovereign lands. Assembly Member Gray and Assembly Member Rob Bonta (D-Alameda) provided opening remarks. The Legislative Analyst’s Office provided a brief overview of cannabis regulation in California, noting that current state law does not expressly mention tribal activities or sovereign lands. The overview was followed by three panels that provided state, tribal, and industry perspective.
The panel that provided the state perspective included Dean Grafilo, Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Lori Ajax, Chief of the Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation, and Amber Morris, CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Branch Chief for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
The second panel provided the tribal perspective, and included Chairpersons from the Rincon Ban of Luiseno Indians, Timbisha Shoshone Tribe, Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe, Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians, and the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysbael. The Chairpersons expressed their desire to participate in the regulated market, however, with an alternative and flexible approach that would not necessarily include local permitting.
The last panel provided the industry perspective, and included Amy Jenkins, Legislative Advocate for the California Cannabis Industry Association, Hezekiah Allen, Executive Director for the California Growers Association, and Chrystal Ortiz, Board Member for the International Cannabis Farmers Association.
RCRC consultant Jean Hurst testified during the public comment period and affirmed rural counties’ support of the development of a mechanism for Indian tribes to participate in California's regulated cannabis marketplace. RCRC’s testimony emphasized that this mechanism must ensure that tribal entities participating in the regulated marketplace adhere to standards set forth under the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act and the Adult Use of Marijuana Act – including public safety and local control. Sheriff Thomas Allman of Mendocino County also provided comments emphasizing the potential public safety impact of cannabis activities on local communities, and the need for county governments to have a role in any state regulatory scheme for cannabis activities on tribal lands.