Medical cannabis.

(1) Existing law, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, an initiative measure enacted by the approval of Proposition 215 at the November 5, 1996, statewide general election, authorizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Existing law, the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MCRSA) , enacted by the Legislature, establishes within the Department of Consumer Affairs the Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation, and provides for the state licensure and regulation of certain commercial cannabis activities by the bureau, the Department of Food and Agriculture, or the State Department of Public Health, as specified. MCRSA requires an applicant for state licensure to provide specified information and a statement, signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury, that the information is complete, true, and accurate. MCRSA authorizes a state licensing authority to deny an application or issue a conditional license under certain conditions, and requires a state licensee, among other things, to obtain applicable local licenses prior to commencing commercial cannabis activity and to keep accurate records of commercial cannabis activity. This bill would require a licensee to implement, as specified, an employee training program for the licensee's employees regarding compliance with MCRSA, as specified. The bill would require an applicant with 20 or more employees to attest on the application that the applicant will implement an employee training program approved by the licensing authority within one year of licensure, as specified, thereby modifying the crime of perjury and imposing a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the licensing authority to deny an application of an applicant with 20 or more employees unless the applicant makes the above-mentioned attestation on the application. The bill would require each licensing authority to adopt standards for the approval of employee training programs. The bill would prohibit the licensing authority from approving a program provided by or through certain apprenticeship programs and programs provided by a licensee under MCRSA, except as specified. The bill would authorize the licensing authority to approve a workplace training organization, as defined, as a 3rd-party provider. The bill would require each licensing authority to charge a fee for approving an employee training program, as specified. The bill would require that the fees collected be deposited in the appropriate account within the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act Fund. The bill would authorize each licensing authority to adjust fees as needed once a year to cover the costs of employee training program approval. The bill would make these provisions operative on July 1, 2018. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.