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EMAIL ALERT: CDFA Releases Modifications to the Proposed OCal Program (Comparable-to-Organic Cannabis) Regulations

November 9, 2020 —The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) today released modified proposed regulations for the OCal Program, a statewide certification program that will establish and enforce comparable-to-organic cannabis standards. The release of these modified regulations marks the official start of a third public comment period provided under California law. All interested parties are encouraged to submit comments about the current modifications to the proposed cannabis regulations by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, November 24, 2020.

The OCal Program will ensure that cannabis products bearing the OCal seal have been certified to consistent, uniform standards comparable to the National Organic Program.

Per Business and Professions Code Section 26062(a)(1), CDFA is required to establish a certification program for cannabis that is comparable to the National Organic Program and the California Organic Food and Farming Act in 2021. CDFA proposes adoption of Chapter 3, within Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations, to establish the OCal Program for cannabis.

Comments on the current modifications to the proposed regulations may be submitted via email to CDFA.CalCannabis_OCal@cdfa.ca.gov or by mail to:

California Department of Food and Agriculture Attention: Kristi Armstrong CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division Proposed OCal Regulations P.O. Box 942871 Sacramento, CA 94271

The proposed cannabis regulations and additional information are posted on the CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division’s OCal Program web page. For tips on how to make effective comments about the current modifications to the proposed OCal regulations, please see How to Submit Your Comments.