California Proposes Mandatory QR Codes to Combat Illicit Cannabis Sales

While California’s legal cannabis market sales were around $3 billion in 2019, the black market in California brought in around $8.7 billion. According to a story on CNN Business, California wants to combat the still-pervasive illicit market by mandating QR codes across the industry. The QR codes would be displayed in California licensed cannabis businesses’ windows and would link to information about the business, including license status and address information.

A month ago, California regulators launched a program which was similar but voluntary. Now, the California Bureau of Cannabis Control is proposing an emergency measure to mandate the use of QR codes at licensed businesses and on product being transported. Regulators say the new measure would make it easier for consumers and law enforcement to distinguish legal from illegal marijuana operations. A five-day window is open for the public to comment on the proposed regulations.