What AB 2249 does
An act to add Sections 26141 and 26142 to the Business and Professions Code, relating to cannabis.
The Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), an initiative measure approved as Proposition 64 at the November 8, 2016, statewide general election, authorizes a person who obtains a state license under AUMA to engage in commercial adult-use cannabis activity pursuant to that license and applicable local ordinances. AUMA authorizes the Legislature to amend by majority vote certain provisions of the act to implement specified substantive provisions, provided that the amendments are consistent with and further the purposes and intent of AUMA.
The Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA), among other things, consolidates the licensure and regulation of commercial medicinal and adult-use cannabis activities under the jurisdiction of the Department of Cannabis Control, including retail commercial cannabis activity. MAUCRSA prohibits a person engaged in commercial cannabis activity, whether licensed or unlicensed, from engaging in specified advertising or marketing activities, including publishing or disseminating advertising or marketing that is attractive to children. MAUCRSA also places specified requirements on the packaging and labeling of cannabis and cannabis products, including prohibiting packages and labels from being made to be attractive to children.
This bill, commencing January 1, 2028, would define “attractive to children” to mean designed or likely to appeal to individuals under 21 years of age, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to adopt regulations to address additional packaging and labeling design elements or product characteristics that pose heightened risk to children. The bill would require the department to develop compliance assessment resources to assist licensees in self-evaluating whether packaging or labeling is attractive to children.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the enrolled text, August 24, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Assemblymember Irwin introduced AB 2249 on February 19, 2026. The text was amended 4 times, 3 in the Assembly and 1 in the Senate, and heard in 6 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Assembly Floor, May 26, 2026: 69 ayes, 0 noes.
- Senate Floor, August 19, 2026: 38 ayes, 0 noes.
- Assembly Floor, August 20, 2026: 69 ayes, 1 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Assembly Business and Professions, April 14, 2026: Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 17-0.
- Assembly Appropriations, May 14, 2026: Do pass., 14-0.
- Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development, June 8, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 9-0.
- Senate Appropriations, June 22, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 6-0.
- Senate Appropriations, August 13, 2026: Do pass as amended, 7-0.
Who supports and opposes AB 2249
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 17, 2026 lists 7 organizations in support and 10 in opposition. When Assembly Business and Professions first listed positions on April 10, 2026, the count was 4 in support and 9 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of August 17, 2026 it was 7 to 10.
In support: American Academy of Pediatrics, California; California Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; California Cannabis Operators Association; California Medical Association; California State Association of Psychiatrists; County Health Executives Association of California; Youth Forward.
Opposed: California Cannabis Industry Association; Central California Cannabis Club; Equity Trade Network; Humboldt County Growers Alliance; Kiva Brands, INC; Kiva Confections; Mendocino Cannabis Alliance; Origins Council; and 2 more.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
What happens next
It was signed and chaptered on August 31, 2026 as Chapter 164, Statutes of 2026. Most provisions of a bill chaptered in this session take effect January 1.
The Governor can sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until the decision, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect. If signed, most provisions take effect January 1, and implementation moves to the agencies named in the bill.
What it means for small business organizations
The work now is implementation: which agency writes the rules, when the comment period opens, and which obligations begin January 1. An organization that was not in the room for the bill can still shape the regulation, and the regulation is usually where the operating detail is settled.
The small business group at Capitol Axis handles that for small business clients.
Questions about AB 2249
What does AB 2249 do?
This bill, commencing January 1, 2028, would define “attractive to children” to mean designed or likely to appeal to individuals under 21 years of age, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to adopt regulations to address additional packaging and labeling design elements or product characteristics that pose heightened risk to children. The bill would require the department to develop compliance assessment resources to assist licensees in self-evaluating whether packaging or labeling is attractive to children.
Is AB 2249 law in California?
It was signed and chaptered on August 31, 2026 as Chapter 164, Statutes of 2026. Most provisions of a bill chaptered in this session take effect January 1.
Who supports and opposes AB 2249?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 17, 2026 lists 7 organizations in support and 10 in opposition. Supporters include American Academy of Pediatrics, California; California Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; California Cannabis Operators Association. Opponents include California Cannabis Industry Association; Central California Cannabis Club; Equity Trade Network.
What happens next with AB 2249?
The question now is implementation. The agencies named in the bill write the rules that decide what it means in practice, and those proceedings are open to comment.