2021 California Code
Business and Professions Code - BPC
DIVISION 10 - Cannabis
CHAPTER 6 - Licensed Cultivation Sites
Section 26062.

(a) (1)  (A)  No later than July 1, 2021, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall establish a program for cannabis that is comparable to the National Organic Program (Section 6517 of the federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 6501 et seq.)), and the California Organic Food and Farming Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 46000) of Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code) and Article 7 (commencing with Section 110810) of Chapter 5 of Part 5 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code. For purposes of administrating this paragraph, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall be exempt from the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).

(B) The Department of Food and Agriculture may collect fees to cover the reasonable regulatory costs of performing duties pursuant to this paragraph. The Department of Food and Agriculture may deny, suspend, or revoke a registration or certification issued under the program established pursuant to this paragraph for a violation of the program or Section 26062.5. A violation of the program established pursuant to this paragraph or Section 26062.5 may also be subject to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for each individual violation.

(C) A person may request a hearing to contest a denial, suspension, revocation, or civil penalty levied pursuant to this paragraph by submitting a written request within 30 days of service. The hearing shall be held pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code and any informal hearing regulations adopted by the Department of Food and Agriculture.

(D) After the exhaustion of the administrative and judicial review procedures, the Department of Food and Agriculture may apply to the appropriate superior court for a judgment in the amount of the administrative penalty and an order compelling the person to comply with the order of the Department of Food and Agriculture. The application, which shall include a certified copy of the final order of the Department of Food and Agriculture, shall constitute a sufficient showing to warrant the issuance of the judgment and order.

(E) Any penalties or fees collected by the Department of Food and Agriculture pursuant to this paragraph shall be deposited in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.

(2)  (A)  No later than July 1, 2021, the State Department of Public Health shall establish a certification program for manufactured cannabis products that is comparable to the National Organic Program (Section 6517 of the federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 6501 et seq.)), the California Organic Food and Farming Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 46000) of Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code), and Article 7 (commencing with Section 110810) of Chapter 5 of Part 5 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code. For purposes of administrating this paragraph, the State Department of Public Health shall be exempt from the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).

(B) For the purposes of enforcement of this paragraph, any authorized agent of the State Department of Public Health, including those defined in Section 109945 of the Health and Safety Code, may examine records and inspect the premises of a cannabis manufacturer and embargo cannabis products in that premises as necessary to perform the duties pursuant to this paragraph.

(C) The State Department of Public Health may collect fees to cover the reasonable regulatory costs of performing duties pursuant to this paragraph. The State Department of Public Health may deny, suspend, or revoke a registration or certification issued pursuant to this paragraph for a violation of the certification program or for a violation of Section 26062.5, consistent with Section 110875 of the Health and Safety Code. The State Department of Public Health may levy a civil penalty for a violation of the certification program or Section 26062.5. The amount of any penalty imposed pursuant to this paragraph shall be consistent with Section 110915 of the Health and Safety Code. A person subject to a penalty shall have the right to an informal hearing, consistent with Section 110915 of the Health and Safety Code. Any penalties or fees collected by the State Department of Public Health pursuant to this paragraph shall be deposited in the Food Safety Fund established pursuant to Section 110050 of the Health and Safety Code for use by the State Department of Public Health, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purpose of administering the certification program.

(b) If at any time preceding or following the establishment of a program pursuant to subdivision (a), the National Organic Program (Section 6517 of the federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 6501 et seq.)) authorizes organic designation and certification for cannabis, this section shall become inoperative and, as of January 1, of the following year, is repealed.

(Amended (as amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 70, Sec. 49) by Stats. 2021, Ch. 87, Sec. 4. (SB 160) Effective July 16, 2021. Conditionally inoperative as prescribed by its own provisions. Repealed, by its own provisions, on January 1 following inoperative date.)