California legislation establishing new restrictions on marijuana packaging, labeling and advertising has advanced through its second reading in the Senate, putting the measure one step away from a final vote in the chamber.
Assembly Bill 2249, sponsored by State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D), was read a second time August 17 and ordered to third reading. The advancement follows an August 13 amendment and a unanimous 7-0 vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The measure previously passed the Assembly on May 26 in a 69-0 vote, with 11 members not voting. It has yet to receive a final Senate floor vote. Because senators amended the legislation after it left the Assembly, approval on third reading would send it back to the Assembly for concurrence before it could reach the governor.
Under the current version of the bill, beginning January 1, 2028, California would establish a more detailed definition of marijuana packaging, labeling and advertising considered “attractive to children.” The definition would apply to material designed or likely to appeal to people under 21.
Examples listed in the bill include cartoons, depictions of people who appear to be under 21, celebrities or influencers primarily associated with children’s entertainment, child-oriented characters and mascots, and fantasy figures such as unicorns, wizards and dragons. It would also cover images of products primarily marketed to children, including candies, cereals, sweets and desserts, as well as certain bubble- or balloon-style lettering and terms such as “candy,” “kandy” and “kandee.”
Marijuana packaging and labeling would also be prohibited from imitating or closely resembling non-marijuana products primarily marketed to children. Edible marijuana products and vape cartridges could not use cartoon or overly stylized depictions of fruit, although realistic fruit images used to identify ingredients or a production region would remain allowed.
The Department of Cannabis Control would be authorized to adopt additional rules addressing packaging or labeling features that present heightened risks to children. The department would also be required to develop resources to help marijuana businesses evaluate their own compliance, potentially including automated assessment tools, educational materials and examples. Any automated determination would be advisory rather than a final department ruling.
AB 2249 has received no opposing votes at any of its recorded Assembly or Senate committee and floor votes to date. Its next major step is third reading and a final vote by the Senate.
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