Industry Leader Calls for Smarter Cannabis Legalization in California
At the recent IgniteIt California Market Spotlight, Ben Larson, a prominent figure in the cannabis industry, delivered a powerful speech criticizing California’s restrictive cannabis policies. He called for a more inclusive approach to legalization that protects access to both regulated cannabis and innovative hemp-derived products.
In his speech, Larson revealed that he was invited to read a letter he had written to Governor Gavin Newsom before the signing of AB 8, the recent hemp legislation in California. However, he decided to set the letter aside and speak directly to the room filled with operators, service providers, regulators, and organizations shaping the California cannabis market.
California: What the Hell?
Larson did not hold back in his criticism of California’s cannabis policies. He questioned the state’s identity as a hub of innovation and risk-taking, yet it is now driving entrepreneurs and innovators out of state. As someone who loves California and has deep roots in the state, Larson expressed his disappointment in the current state of affairs.
He stated that California has become a defender of the status quo, more interested in protecting profits and bureaucracy than building a better future. Larson, who has built and scaled three businesses in California, has had enough and is now speaking out against the current state of the cannabis industry in the state.
Celebrating the Wrong Things
Larson also addressed the recent celebrations surrounding AB 564, AB 8, and SB 378. While acknowledging the hard work put into these efforts by well-intentioned individuals, he questioned what exactly they were celebrating. He pointed out that AB 564 was seen as avoiding an existential threat, but if losing four percent of margin was considered a death knell, then the game was already lost.
Furthermore, Larson criticized AB 8 for demonizing any detectable level of THC in hemp-derived products, banning full-spectrum CBD from drug stores, and tolerating a 3-year DCC onboarding period. He argued that these measures were not about protecting children, as claimed, but rather about competition and protectionism. He also highlighted the perpetuation of stigma towards cannabis, a plant that the industry claims to love and represent.
A Call for Change
Larson ended his speech by challenging the industry to do better. He questioned why the industry couldn’t write nuanced language that preserves access to cannabis where it should exist. He urged for a shift away from the broken system and isolation from the outside world, towards a more progressive and inclusive approach to cannabis legalization in California.
