AB-686
Agriculture & Food

Cannabis: appointees: prohibited activities.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Expands conflict of interest rules for state cannabis regulators and appointees.
  • Prohibits regulators from receiving profits from cannabis license applicants or permit holders.
  • Bans regulators from having financial interests in cannabis equipment or insurance sales.
  • Prevents regulators from soliciting donations or contributions from cannabis licensees.

Summary

Assembly Member Berman's proposed cannabis regulation amendment extends existing conflict-of-interest restrictions to gubernatorial appointees within the Department of Cannabis Control, matching limitations already in place for the department director and Cannabis Control Appeals Panel members.

The measure prohibits these appointees from receiving any commission or profit from cannabis license applicants or permit holders, maintaining financial interests in licensee insurance or equipment sales, and soliciting licensees for benefit tickets or donations. These provisions mirror current restrictions established under the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act of 2016 and the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act.

The Department of Cannabis Control would implement these expanded restrictions through existing administrative frameworks, with no additional state appropriations required. The measure builds upon California's cannabis regulatory structure by applying uniform ethical standards across key oversight positions.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 686 Berman Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass. To Consent Calendar
Assembly Business And Professions Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Business And Professions Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-3054
Cannabis: appointees: prohibited activities.
February 2024
Failed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Marc Berman
Marc BermanD
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/27/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 30, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
90211PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Expands conflict of interest rules for state cannabis regulators and appointees.
  • Prohibits regulators from receiving profits from cannabis license applicants or permit holders.
  • Bans regulators from having financial interests in cannabis equipment or insurance sales.
  • Prevents regulators from soliciting donations or contributions from cannabis licensees.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Marc Berman
Marc BermanD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Berman's proposed cannabis regulation amendment extends existing conflict-of-interest restrictions to gubernatorial appointees within the Department of Cannabis Control, matching limitations already in place for the department director and Cannabis Control Appeals Panel members.

The measure prohibits these appointees from receiving any commission or profit from cannabis license applicants or permit holders, maintaining financial interests in licensee insurance or equipment sales, and soliciting licensees for benefit tickets or donations. These provisions mirror current restrictions established under the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act of 2016 and the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act.

The Department of Cannabis Control would implement these expanded restrictions through existing administrative frameworks, with no additional state appropriations required. The measure builds upon California's cannabis regulatory structure by applying uniform ethical standards across key oversight positions.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/27/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 686 Berman Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass. To Consent Calendar
Assembly Business And Professions Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Business And Professions Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 30, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
90211PASS

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-3054
Cannabis: appointees: prohibited activities.
February 2024
Failed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1