California’s legislature sent a bill that would eliminate the single-use plastic tags used to track marijuana plants. This, according to supporters, will help promote sustainability in the environment.
In recent months, the legislation of Sen. Ben Allen was unanimously approved by both chambers. The Senate advanced it last week in a final vote on concurrence.
Cannabis businesses and industry groups claim that the move away from plastic tags will save the state millions of dollars by reducing waste.
The legislative summary states that “existing law requires that a unique identification number be issued to each cannabis plant, and attached to the base of the plant or in any other manner required by law or regulations.” The bill requires that the unique identifier be recorded as decided by the Department of Cannabis Control.
The legislation does not provide specific examples of alternative methods to the plastic identifiers currently used to track marijuana plant. If signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, would be able to implement environmentally sound policies like digital tags.
“We are eagerly awaiting Governor Newsom’s signing of SB 622. We want to draw attention to the impact that the past five-years have had: The state has used 200 to 250 million plant tags resulting in more than 1 million pounds plastic waste,” Tiffany Devitt told Marijuana Moment Wednesday.
She said that “astonishingly this waste costs the state of California $15 million per year, because they purchase these tags and give them to cannabis farms.” The most unfortunate part of this situation is the fact that these tags did not achieve their intended purpose, which was to prevent diversion.
State and federal policymakers have expressed concern about the impact illegal grow operations can have on the environment, such as the use of pesticides banned by the EPA that may harm wildlife. Bipartisan legislation filed in this Congress targets illegal cultivation sites, such as those in California .
This state-level Allen bill examines a different side of the environmental issue. It shows how even markets that are regulated can unintentionally contribute to waste.
The California Cannabis Industry Association, California NORML and the Humboldt County Growers Alliance are also supporters of the bill.
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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced a Cannabis Restoration Grant Program in 2021. This program offers $6 million from marijuana tax revenues to assist small cultivators in environmental cleanup and remediation efforts.
In New York, the regulators have approved rules that limit the use plastics in packaging and encourage sustainability.
Another cannabis bill will be sent to the Governor of California following the final Assembly vote that took place on Monday. The measure would allow dispensaries in California to sell non-cannabis foods and beverages if local approval is received.
Recently, the Assembly Appropriations Committee approved a Senate passed bill intended to strengthen protections for employees who use cannabis outside of work. The committee adopted the technical amendments from Sen. Steven Bradford, (D). If the Assembly approves the bill it will be sent back to the Senate to receive approval.
The legislature also sent a bill last week to the governor that would allow adults to possess and cultivate small amounts of certain psychoactives. The bill would establish a work group that would explore possible regulatory models for accessing the substances to facilitate and therapeutic use.
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Photo by California State Fair.
The post California bill to end single-use plastic tag requirement for marijuana plants heads to the Governor first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
