To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Supervisor Haschak
Meeting Date: July 29, 2025
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Department Contact: |
Supervisor Haschak |
Phone: |
707-463-4221 |
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Department Contact: |
Kelly Hansen |
Phone: |
707-463-4441 |
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Item Type: Consent Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: N/A |
Agenda Title:
title
Ratification of Letter of Opposition Unless Amended for Assembly Bill 8 (Aguiar-Curry) - Cannabis: Cannabinoids: Industrial Hemp
(Sponsor: Supervisor Haschak)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Ratify letter of opposition unless amended for Assembly Bill 8 (Aguiar-Curry) - Cannabis: cannabinoids: industrial hemp.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
The Board of Supervisors regularly issues support letters that align with the 2025 Legislative Platform. These letters advocate for adequate and ongoing federal and state funding, timely distribution of resources, increased local authority, and flexibility in administering and providing services.
Summary of Request:
AB 8 proposes significant updates to California’s regulation of industrial hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoid products. This bill follows the Governor’s 2024 emergency regulations on intoxicating hemp products. The author of the bill aims to craft regulation on cannabis products derived from industrial hemp (other than CBD), to protect public health and licensed businesses by strengthening enforcement against illegal hemp products, while ensuring that intoxicating cannabinoids are regulated and taxed as cannabis, and creating a pathway for responsible hemp and cannabis operators to participate in the federal and state legal markets.
Specifically AB 8 would integrate industrial hemp, as defined in the bill, into the cannabis marketplace, beginning January 1, 2028, and requires products containing concentrated cannabinoids, as specified in the bill, that are derived from industrial hemp to comply with provisions of the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA), including track and trace identification, advertising restrictions, security and transportation safety requirements, laboratory testing, and taxation; prohibits the sale of synthetic cannabis products and inhalable cannabis products containing cannabinoids derived from hemp; requires out-of-state hemp manufacturers to register with the state; reverts the cannabis excise tax rate to 15 percent effective January 1, 2028; and expands the authority for state and local enforcement agencies to inspect, seize, and destroy unlawful cannabis products including those with industrial hemp, as specified.
AB 8 aims to regulate intoxicating hemp products by integrating them into the existing cannabis regulatory framework. While seeking to enhance consumer safety and implement transparent regulation, the bill may also present challenges as currently written in in addressing the potential problems of incorporating naturally-occurring, high-THC hemp into an already struggling and highly regulated cannabis market. A coalition of non-profits have also come forth to oppose the 15% cannabis excise tax cap as it limits future potential funding for their programs from cannabis tax revenue.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Do not ratify letter and provide alternative direction.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: A Thriving Economy
Supervisorial District: All
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: Bill Status - AB-8 Cannabis: cannabinoids: industrial hemp. <https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB8>
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: No funding needed for requested action |
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current f/y cost: $0 |
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budget clarification: No funding needed for requested action |
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annual recurring cost: $0 |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): No |
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revenue agreement: No |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: N/A
CEO Liaison: Executive Office
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Item Status |
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Date: Date Executed |
Executed Item Type: item |
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Number: |
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