California Legislature Unanimously Passes Bill Excluding CBN Isolate From Cannabis Concentrate Definition
- California lawmakers unanimously approved Assembly Bill 2250, which excludes qualifying cannabinol (CBN) isolate from the state’s definition of “cannabis concentrate,” moving the bill toward Governor Newsom’s approval.
- Starting January 1, 2028, CBN isolate will join cannabidiol (CBD) isolate as an explicit exception to California’s definition of cannabis concentrate under the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act.
- The legislation corrects a discrepancy from last year’s AB 8 law by allowing both CBD and CBN isolates (above 99% purity and free of THC or synthetic cannabinoids) to be used in foods, beverages, supplements, and other products without being classified as cannabis concentrates.
- AB 2250 also clarifies enforcement rules related to cannabis and hemp, including seizure authority at unlicensed premises and expands tracking requirements for cultivation, processing, distribution, and sales within the state's cannabis track-and-trace system.
California lawmakers have unanimously approved legislation that would exclude qualifying cannabinol (CBN) isolate from the state’s definition of “cannabis concentrate,” sending the measure toward Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.
Assembly Bill 2250, sponsored by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D), passed the Senate 38 to 0 on August 25 before the Assembly voted 78 to 0 on August 26 to concur with Senate amendments. The measure is now in the enrollment process after clearing both chambers without a single opposing vote.
Under the bill, beginning January 1, 2028, CBN isolate would join cannabidiol (CBD) isolate as an explicit exception to California’s definition of concentrated cannabis or cannabis concentrate under the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Current law already calls for CBD isolate to receive that treatment beginning in 2028.
California law defines CBN isolate as a compound extracted from marijuana or industrial hemp consisting of cannabinol with a purity level greater than 99% and containing no form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or synthetic cannabinoid.
The change is intended to align state law with provisions enacted last year through AB 8. That law allows industrial hemp raw extract to be incorporated into foods, beverages, dietary supplements and certain other products when it consists of CBD or CBN isolate at greater than 99% purity and contains no THC or synthetic cannabinoids. However, AB 8’s scheduled 2028 changes excluded only CBD isolate from the definition of cannabis concentrate, leaving CBN isolate out of the exemption. AB 2250 would correct that discrepancy.
Aguiar-Curry described AB 2250 during the legislative process as a “technical clean up bill” designed to ensure that AB 8 can be implemented effectively.
The legislation also makes several other changes related to enforcement of California’s cannabis and hemp laws. Among them, it clarifies state seizure authority involving cannabis products at unlicensed premises and specifies additional activities that must be captured through the state’s cannabis track-and-trace system, including cultivation, harvesting, processing, manufacturing, distribution, inventory, sales and delivery.
AB 2250 was introduced in February and advanced through every recorded legislative vote without opposition. If signed by Newsom, the CBN isolate exemption from the cannabis concentrate definition would take effect January 1, 2028.