Section 26070.5 - Nonprofit licenses(a) The Bureau of Cannabis Control shall, by January 1, 2020, investigate the feasibility of creating one or more classifications of nonprofit licenses under this section. The feasibility determination shall be made in consultation with the relevant licensing agencies and representatives of local jurisdictions which issue temporary licenses pursuant to subdivision (b). The Bureau of Cannabis Control shall consider factors, including, but not limited to, the following:(1) Should nonprofit licensees be exempted from any or all state taxes, licensing fees, and regulatory provisions applicable to other licenses in this division?(2) Should funding incentives be created to encourage others licensed under this division to provide professional services at reduced or no cost to nonprofit licensees?(3) Should nonprofit licenses be limited to, or prioritize those, entities previously operating on a not-for-profit basis primarily providing whole-plant cannabis and cannabis products and a diversity of cannabis strains and seed stock to low-income persons?(b) Any local jurisdiction may issue temporary local licenses to nonprofit entities primarily providing whole-plant cannabis and cannabis products and a diversity of cannabis strains and seed stock to low-income persons so long as the local jurisdiction does all of the following: (1) Confirms the license applicant's status as a nonprofit entity registered with the California Attorney General's Registry of Charities and Fundraisers and that the applicant is in good standing with all state requirements governing nonprofit entities.(2) Licenses and regulates any such entity to protect public health and safety, and so as to require compliance with all environmental requirements in this division.(3) Provides notice to the department of any such local licenses issued, including the name and location of any such licensed entity and all local regulations governing the licensed entity's operation.(4) Certifies to the department that any such licensed entity will not generate annual gross revenues in excess of two million dollars ($2,000,000).(c) Temporary local licenses authorized under subdivision (b) shall expire after 12 months unless renewed by the local jurisdiction.(d) The department may impose reasonable additional requirements on the local licenses authorized under subdivision (b).(e)(1) New temporary local licenses shall not be issued pursuant to this section after the date the Bureau of Cannabis Control determines that creation of nonprofit licenses under this division is not feasible, or if the Bureau of Cannabis Control determines that creation of nonprofit licenses under this division is feasible, after the date a licensing agency commences issuing state nonprofit licenses.(2) If the Bureau of Cannabis Control determines that creation of nonprofit licenses under this division is feasible, no temporary license issued under subdivision (b) shall be renewed or extended after the date on which a licensing agency commences issuing state nonprofit licenses.(3) If the Bureau of Cannabis Control determines that creation of nonprofit licenses under this division is not feasible, the Bureau of Cannabis Control shall provide notice of this determination to all local jurisdictions that have issued temporary licenses under subdivision (b). The department may, in its discretion, permit any such local jurisdiction to renew or extend on an annual basis any temporary license previously issued under subdivision (b).Ca. Bus. and Prof. Code § 26070.5
Amended by Stats 2023 ch 478 (AB 1756),s 4, eff. 1/1/2024.Amended by Stats 2021 ch 70 (AB 141),s 58, eff. 7/12/2021.Amended by Stats 2018 ch 92 (SB 1289),s 28, eff. 1/1/2019.Amended by Stats 2017 ch 27 (SB 94),s 61, eff. 6/27/2017.Added by Proposition 64, approved by the voters at the 11/8/2016 election.