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AB-2249 • 2026

Cannabis: labels, packaging, and manufacturing.

Cannabis: labels, packaging, and manufacturing.

Children
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Irwin
Last action
Official status
Senate - Appropriations
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary mentions exceptions for advertising with images of real humans under specified circumstances, but does not detail what those specific circumstances are.

Cannabis Packaging and Labeling Rules

This law bans selling, distributing, or making cannabis products with packaging designed to attract children, defines what counts as attractive to kids, and sets up a voluntary review process for businesses.

What This Bill Does

  • Prohibits the sale, distribution, or manufacture of cannabis products if their packaging or labeling is defined as attractive to children.
  • Defines 'attractive to children' to include images of real people or fictional characters designed to appeal to kids.
  • Allows licensees until January 1, 2028, to sell older stock that was made under the laws existing before January 1, 2027.
  • Requires the Department of Cannabis Control to create a standardized rulebook by July 1, 2027, listing banned design elements.
  • Creates an optional process where businesses can pay a fee for the department to review if their proposed labels are attractive to children.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Businesses that hold licenses to sell or make cannabis products.
  • The Department of Cannabis Control, which must write new rules and offer label reviews.

Terms To Know

Attractive to children
Designs that include images of real humans, fictional characters, or other features likely to appeal to kids.
Standardized rubric
A set rulebook the department must create by July 1, 2027, to decide if a package design is allowed or banned.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The specific list of banned images and designs will not be final until the department finishes its rules by July 1, 2027.
  • The exact cost for businesses to request a label review has not been set yet; the law only allows the department to charge a reasonable fee.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Senate - Appropriations

Official Summary Text

Cannabis: labels, packaging, and manufacturing.