Oklahoma cannabis regulations came into effect in 2018 when the Sooner State officially became the 30th state to legalize medical marijuana. Since the passing of State Question 788 in 2018, there have been several updates to the regulations.
If you live in Oklahoma or hope to open a cannabis business there, you need to be familiar with the current Oklahoma cannabis regulations for medical marijuana patients and their caregivers, non-medical marijuana patients, and cannabis businesses.
The cannabis industry in California took off in 1996 with the passage of the Compassionate Use Act. And since 2016, both medical marijuana and recreational cannabis are legal in the Golden State. But if you want to consume cannabis or become a part of this fast-growing industry, you need to familiarize yourself with a labyrinth of complex cannabis regulations.
The three state-wide cannabis authorities that previously regulated the cannabis market merged on July 1, 2021, to create the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC). The DCC is in charge of establishing California’s cannabis policy for business licenses and retail sales.
Medical marijuana waste disposal requires special care and isn’t as simple as throwing it away. Aside from plant waste itself (trim, flowers, and buds), there are other kinds of waste generated by medical marijuana businesses that need special treatment—including hazardous and recyclable products
If you own a medical marijuana facility or are considering moving into this growing sector, you’ll need to know the basics about cannabis waste disposal to remain in compliance with the law and remain in good standing with your licensing agency.
Hemp could be a game changer for the environment. However, whether the game is won or lost largely depends on how hemp is grown. Dating back to around 8000 BCE, hemp cultivation has generally been associated with improvements to the soil and air. Now that much of America’s hemp cultivation takes place indoors, the modern environmental impact of hemp is mixed.
If you are a hemp grower or are thinking about starting a hemp farm, it’s important to be aware of the environmental issues surrounding hemp so that you can run a thriving, sustainable operation that doesn’t threaten our natural resources.
Formed to collectively govern the recreational cannabis industry, the Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC), California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch (MCSB), and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Cal Cannabis released three individual sets of regulations on January 16, 2019. On July 12, 2021, these three agencies converged into what is now known as the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and released a new, consolidated set of Emergency Regulations, effective September 29, 2021. Learn more here.
The term “cradle to grave” is often used to describe hazardous waste requirements, but it also has significant implications for cannabis waste generators. If you operate as a licensed cannabis manufacturer, extractor, wholesaler, or retailer, you’re responsible for your waste throughout every state of its lifecycle (this requirement is sometimes waived for cannabis cultivators, processors, and nurseries). That’s why it’s essential to understand the cradle-to-grave waste management requirements.
There are four characteristics of hazardous waste. In its simplest terms, a hazardous waste is any type of waste with properties that can cause harm to human health or the environment. In addition to the four general characteristics, hazardous waste streams are sorted into various categories and lists based on their common or intended uses. The often-subtle distinctions can be confusing, but it’s important to educate yourself if you manage these types of waste streams for a living.
If you need to produce large quantities of cannabis, it’s essential that you automate your irrigation system. Not only will this save you time and reduce your labor costs, but it will allow you to scale up more easily as your cannabis cultivation operation grows. This is especially true for commercial facilities with extensive crops. The good news is that automating cannabis irrigation is easier than you may realize.
In the United States, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations set out hazardous waste label requirements for substances that may pose a health risk to humans and/or the environment. These hazardous waste regulations are laid out in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, part 262, and all applicable requirements must be followed to the letter by small and large-scale hazardous waste generators. Learn more in this article.
Over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used in the U.S. every year, and improper disposal is a human health and environmental crisis. Pesticide disposal in the United States is governed by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the act that oversees the management of hazardous waste and non-hazardous solid waste. Pesticide disposal is also regulated at the state level, so it’s essential to be familiar with local laws to know how to dispose of pesticides appropriately.
If your California business generates enough hazardous waste to necessitate an EPA ID number, you may be required to establish a Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP). The HMBP outlines information about your hazardous material protocols, including the types of materials, the volume of material, where the materials are stored, and information about the health risks associated with the materials. When you understand what’s required, it’s easy to create your Hazardous Materials Business Plan.
California cannabis companies must adhere to strict waste management requirements or risk severe fines or loss of licensure. Remaining in compliance isn’t easy. Cannabis is regulated by multiple agencies each with its own requirements, and the requirements themselves are sometimes vague and subject to interpretation. Improper waste management can place a business in jeopardy, so it’s important to understand the essentials.
If you cultivate, manufacture, or sell cannabis, you’re probably subject to special waste requirements. In other words, you can’t simply toss your cannabis waste in the garbage and forget about it. You need to store it, treat it, and remove it according to strict guidelines, otherwise you may face serious consequences. Learn more about special waste and how it affects cannabis brands.
Solvents like butane are used for an array of purposes, from cooking to refrigeration, but how do you dispose of your butane cans when you’re done with them? You can’t just toss them in the garbage and forget about them. Whether you’re looking to generate heat at a campsite or make cannabis concentrates via hydrocarbon extraction, it’s important to know how to dispose of butane and other solvents safely and legally.
Hemp biomass is a term referring to the non-flower parts of the hemp plant. The biomass is generally regarded as waste by cultivators who prize the CBD-rich flowers, but it’s far from useless. In fact, the biomass can be extremely profitable for cultivators who know how to make use of it.
Hemp is becoming extremely popular in light of its loosened agricultural restrictions in the U.S., but there are still quite a few hemp myths out there. Some people believe that hemp is a form of marijuana while others think that all CBD products are hemp-derived. We’re here to dispel the various hemp myths and rumors.
Trimming cannabis is essential for ensuring healthy plants and excellent yields, but for many home and professional cultivators, it raises the question: What do you do with your cannabis trim? Learn the best ways to put the discarded leaves to use, and how to properly discard it if you choose to do so.
If you need to dispose of unused or expired edibles, there are specific rules and regulations consumers & brands must follow. Learn more in this article.
All cannabis products sold in California dispensaries are subject to strict labeling requirements. Cannabis was made legal in the state via the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64), but labeling guidelines are set by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Failure to abide by these guidelines can expose you to fines or even the loss of your license. Read More
Communities are enacting their own zero waste initiative in an effort to promote a more sustainable future. See how and why waste management is an important part of these efforts.
