{"id":274014,"date":"2026-04-18T09:47:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T09:47:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/274014\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T09:47:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T09:47:32","slug":"new-ca-cannabis-laws-in-2026-whats-changed-for-4-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/274014\/","title":{"rendered":"New CA cannabis laws in 2026: What\u2019s changed for 4\/20?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Several new laws took effect across California<\/a> at the start of the year, including updated rules around cannabis<\/a> products.<\/p>\n

With Monday, April 20 \u2014 also known as cannabis holiday 4\/20<\/a> \u2014 approaching, residents might be wondering what\u2019s allowed in the Golden State and what\u2019s changed.<\/p>\n

While California residents 21 and older can legally use marijuana for recreational purposes, weed remains illegal at the federal level.<\/p>\n

Plus, the state continues to regulate how cannabis can be used<\/a>, possessed and sold.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what to know about the latest cannabis laws<\/a> in California:<\/p>\n

\"Cannabis Cannabis plants grown by Blaire and Daniel AuClair of Radicle Herbs are photographed inside the cannabis greenhouse Friday, April 15, 2022. Xavier Mascare\u00f1as xmascarenas@sacbee.com New rules for cannabis products for animals<\/p>\n

New regulations cannabis products made for animals<\/a> made for animals took effect Jan. 1, according to the California Department of Cannabis Control.<\/p>\n

Previously, there were no clear statewide standards in terms of pot for pets<\/a>, the state department said.<\/p>\n

Thanks to Assembly Bill 1885, signed into law<\/a> in 2022, California now has set guidelines for what can be produced<\/a> and sold.<\/p>\n

Veterinary cannabis products must follow many of the \u201csame requirements as adult-use cannabis products\u201d \u2014 but with tighter restrictions.<\/p>\n

Only \u201cedible cannabis products, orally consumed concentrates and topical cannabis products\u201d are allowed for use by animals, the state Cannabis Control Department said.<\/p>\n

Each cannabis product intended for pets cannot contain more than 10 milligram<\/a> of THC per serving, according to AB 1885.<\/p>\n

New law for hemp extracts used in food, beverages and supplements<\/p>\n

Assembly Bill 8, which took effect Jan. 1, sets tighter rules for hemp-derived ingredients<\/a> used in foods, beverages and supplements across California.<\/p>\n

Under the new law, hemp extracts used in these products can no longer contain THC or synthetic cannabinoids.<\/p>\n

Manufacturers must also provide a certificate of analysis<\/a> confirming the product is 99% made up of non-intoxicating compounds, such as CBD or CBN.<\/p>\n

The law does not change existing licensing rules. However, businesses still need authorization from the California Department of Public Health to produce hemp products<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cAB 8 makes it clear that all intoxicating products<\/a> must be held to the same important standards Californians expect,\u201d Nicole Elliott, California Department of Cannabis Control director, said in an Oct. 2 news release.<\/p>\n

The updated rules ensure \u201cconsumer safety,\u201d Elliott said.<\/p>\n

\"Treeboy, Treeboy, a cannabis brand, sits in a display case at Crystal Nugs Dispensary on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in midtown Sacramento. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com Where can I find more cannabis laws in California?<\/p>\n

The California Department of Cannabis Control offers online resources to help both consumers and businesses understand cannabis laws in California<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Consumers can find information on legal use<\/a>, safety tips and product recalls, along with tools to locate licensed dispensaries<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Have a question about life in California?<\/p>\n

How to California \u2014 a guide to help you live, work and enjoy life in the Golden State, is here to help.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll answer your questions \u2014 big and small \u2014 about state laws, history, culture, recreation and travel.<\/p>\n

Ask your questions in the form below (can\u2019t see it? Click here<\/a>) or email howtocalifornia@mcclatchy.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Angela Rodriguez<\/a><\/p>\n

The Modesto Bee<\/p>\n

Angela Rodriguez is a service journalism reporter for The Bee. She is a graduate of Sacramento State with a bachelor\u2019s degree in journalism. During her time there, she worked on the State Hornet covering arts and entertainment.\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Several new laws took effect across California at the start of the year, including updated rules around cannabis…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":274015,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[121,123,122],"class_list":["post-274014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sacramento","tag-sacramento","tag-sacramento-headlines","tag-sacramento-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=274014"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274014\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/274015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=274014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=274014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=274014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}