By Benjie Cooper
IG: @nuglifenews
YouTube: Lucid’s Vlog
Last week, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) released a memo through the Bureau of Cannabis Control’s Cannabis Portal website addressing the issue of cannabis and alcoholic beverages.
The separation of cannabis and alcohol has always been a part of Prop 64, and the rules for the two are outlined in the text of state regulations. But the ABC answers frequently asked questions in the new memo in hopes of clarifying some more common inquiries on the subject.
The FAQ states that it is not a comprehensive review of the rules and that people who wish to do business in either field should seek independent legal advice and not rely on the memo.
The list starts out by addressing the issue of multiple licenses, saying that people may hold one from the ABC and yet be able to qualify for one to grow, process, or sell cannabis. But even if a person holds both types of permits, they still can’t combine them in the same location in any way.
Under state rules, if a business holds a Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) license, they cannot sell alcohol or tobacco. Alcohol may not be served at events where cannabis is being ingested or inhaled, and bars are not permitted to allow cannabis consumption of any kind at their establishment.
According to the FAQ, it is against regulations for businesses to combine alcohol with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) or CBD (cannabidiol). Companies aren’t allowed to add hemp-derived CBD either as per the memorandum that the California Public Health, Food, and Drug Branch issued on July 6.
As far as alcohol and cannabis businesses are concerned, it appears that the ability of one person to own licenses in each industry is as close as the two are allowed to come to each other in California. Beyond that, legal bud-brewed beers and cannabis-combined cocktails won’t be available at your local bar or dispensary any time soon.
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