Marijuana dispensaries, distributors scramble to meet new regulations deadline

Marijuana dispensaries and manufacturers are scrambling to bring their products to compliance before a fast approaching deadline on July 1.

Any products not up to code must be destroyed, according to new state rules.

At Compassionate Bay Delivery in Salinas, consumers have to call in to order marijuana. But with additional state requirements coming up soon, there has been some extra work to do.

“We have to start by making sure everything is compliant with all our products. Make sure edibles, concentrates and flowers are all mandated with the right testing,” said Paul Vasquez, a dispatcher and deliverer at Compassionate Bay Delivery.

Cannabis goods manufacturers are the ones who have to do the testing. They have already had to test for microbial impurities like E. coli and Salmonella. But come July 1, they will have to additionally test for pesticides and foreign materials.

CBD already knew about the new regulations for about three months. They have made sure to make the most of what they have to get rid of, meaning a firesale.

“Everything that is available we had to down price everything that is not compliant just to get it off our shelves to make sure everything is compliant for the 1st,” said Vasquez.

On top of extra lab testing requirements, there are at least 15 new packaging and labeling rules as well, down to the font size. It also requires child-resistant lock lids similar to the ones used for pain killer medications. Tamper resistant seals, an ingredients list and government warnings are also required.

Packaging also cannot be designed to appeal to children either. It all comes down to safety.

“Safety of course. You know, I personally just when I purchase any food at a grocery store, I would like to know all the ingredients that is inside of it,” said Vasquez.

Vasquez is not getting frustrated though. He says the new regulations are just something they have to go through.

“It’s the first year this company or this industry has been legal so there is going to be bumps and bruises, of course, along the way,” he said.

The regulations will also affect THC in products. THC is the main chemical in marijuana that produces a sense of being high. The new requirements will limit the amount of THC in edible and non-edible cannabis products.