Sen. Mike McGuire authored the medical marijuana industry regulations Senate bill 643. Which passed at a vote of 25 to 12. The measure would create the Office of Medical Marijuana Regulation, which would regulate how cannabis is grown and sold in California, including the licensing of these businesses. Senator McGuire pointed out the shortcomings of the current medical marijuana industry (or lack of formal regulations).
The Office of Medical Marijuana Regulation would be a newly created agency in charge of medical marijuana regulations and oversee the California industry. The bill sets provisions related to the transportation, testing, and distribution of medical marijuana. Cities and local governments would issue licenses to growers and medical marijuana dispensaries.
The bill would also create a Medical Marijuana Regulation Fund where money would be collected to help fund the new agency and oversight of the industry.