After emergency regulations, extended emergency regulations, many committees and subcommittee meetings and a substantial amount of public participation and comments, the final regulations have been approved by the Office of Administrative Law and are now in effect. Read on to learn more about the final regulations and cannabis waste provisions published by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, CalCannabis.

CDFA Cannabis Regulations Approved: Cannabis Waste Provisions

The primary references to cannabis waste in the final text of CalCannabis regulations are as follows:

§ 8108 Cannabis Waste Management Plan.

For the purposes of this section, “cannabis waste” is an organic waste, as defined in section 42649.8(c) of the Public Resources  Code. An applicant’s cannabis waste management plan shall identify one or more of the following methods for managing  cannabis waste generated on its licensed premises:

(a)   On‐premises composting of cannabis waste;  (b)  Collection and processing of cannabis waste by a local agency, a waste hauler franchised or contracted by a local  agency, or a private waste hauler permitted by a local agency;

(c)   Self‐haul cannabis waste to one or more of the following:

(1)  A manned, fully permitted solid waste landfill or transformation facility; (2)  A manned, fully permitted composting facility or manned composting operation;
(3)  A manned, fully permitted in‐vessel digestion facility or manned in‐vessel digestion operation;  (4)  A manned, fully permitted transfer/processing facility or manned transfer/processing operation; or  (5)  A manned, fully permitted chip and grind operation or facility.
(6)  A recycling center as defined in title 14, section 17402.5

(d) of the California Code of Regulations and that meets the following:

(A)  The cannabis waste received shall contain at least ninety (90) percent inorganic material;   (B)  The inorganic portion of the cannabis waste is recycled into new, reused, or reconstituted products   which meet the quality standards necessary to be used in the marketplace; and   (C)  The organic portion of the cannabis waste shall be sent to a facility or operation identified in subsection (c)(1) through (5).    (D)  Reintroduction of cannabis waste back into agricultural operation through on-premises organic waste recycling methods, including but not limited to tilling directly into agricultural land and no‐till farming.

§ 8308. Cannabis Waste Management.

(a)  For the purposes of this section, “cannabis waste” is an organic waste, as defined in section 42649.8(c) of the Public Resources Code.  (b)  A licensee shall manage all hazardous waste, as defined in section 40141 of the Public Resources Code, in compliance with all applicable hazardous waste statutes and regulations.  (c) A licensee shall manage all cannabis waste in compliance with division 30, part 3, chapters 12.8, 12.9, and 13.1 of the  Public Resources Code. In addition, licensees are obligated to obtain all required permits, licenses, or other clearances  and comply with all orders, laws, regulations, or other requirements of other regulatory agencies, including, but not  limited to, local health agencies, regional water quality control boards, air quality management districts, or air pollution  control districts, local land-use authorities, and fire authorities.  (d)  A licensee shall dispose of cannabis waste in a secured waste receptacle or in a secured area on the licensed premises designated on the licensee’s premises diagram and as identified in the licensee’s cultivation plan. For the purposes of  this section, “secure waste receptacle” or “secured area” means physical access to the receptacle or area is restricted  only to only the licensee, employees of the licensee, the local agency, or a waste hauler franchised or contracted by a  Page 40 of 81 local agency, or a private waste hauler permitted by the local agency. Public access to the designated receptacle or area shall be strictly prohibited.  (e)  A licensee shall comply with the method(s) for managing cannabis waste identified on its cannabis waste management plan in accordance with section 8108.  (f)   If composting cannabis waste on the licensed premises, a licensee shall do so in compliance with Title 14 of the  California Code of Regulations, Division 7, chapter 3.1 (commencing with section 17850).  (g)   If a local agency, a waste hauler franchised or contracted by a local agency, or a private waste hauler permitted by a  local agency is being used to collect and process cannabis waste, a licensee shall do all the following:

(1)  Obtain and retain the following information from the local agency, waste hauler franchised or contracted by the  local agency, or private waste hauler permitted by the local agency that will collect and process the licensee’s  cannabis waste:

(A)  Name of local agency providing waste hauling services, if applicable;  (B)  Company name of the waste hauler franchised or contracted by a local agency or private waste hauler  permitted by the local agency, if applicable;  (C)  Local agency or company business address; and  (D)  Name of the primary contact person at the local agency or company and contact person’s phone number.

(2)  Obtain and retain a copy of a receipt from the local agency, the waste hauler franchised or contracted by a local  agency or private waste hauler permitted by the local agency that indicates the date and time of each collection of  cannabis waste at the licensed premises evidencing subscription to a waste collection service; and   (3)  Obtain and retain a copy of the certified weight ticket, or other documentation prepared by the local agency, the  waste hauler franchised or contracted by a local agency, or private waste hauler permitted by the local agency  evidencing receipt of the cannabis waste at one or more of the solid waste facilities in section 8108(c); and  (4) Cannabis waste may be collected from a licensee in conjunction with a regular organic waste collection route used  by the local agency, the waste hauler franchised or contracted by a local agency or private waste hauler permitted  by the local agency.

(h)  If self‐hauling cannabis waste to one or more of the solid waste facilities in section 8108(c) of this chapter above, a  licensee shall obtain and retain, for each delivery of cannabis waste by the licensee, a copy of a certified weight ticket,  or receipt documenting delivery, prepared by a representative(s) of the solid waste facility receiving the self‐hauled  cannabis waste. Transportation of self‐hauled cannabis waste shall only be performed by the licensee or employees of the licensee.

(i)  If cannabis waste is hauled to a recycling center that meets the requirements of section 8108(c)(6), in addition to the  tracking requirement set forth in section 8405 and 8406 of this chapter, a licensee shall use the track‐and‐trace system  and documentation required pursuant to this section to ensure cannabis waste is identified, weighed, and tracked  Page 41 of 81 while on the licensed premises.   (ji)   In addition to all other tracking requirements set forth in sections 8405 and 8406 of this chapter, a licensee shall use the  track‐and‐trace system and documentation required pursuant to this section to ensure the cannabis waste is identified,  weighed, and tracked while on the licensed premises and when disposed of in accordance with subsections (f), (g), and  (h), and (i) above.    (kj)  A licensee shall maintain accurate and comprehensive records regarding cannabis waste that account for, reconcile, and evidence all activity related to the generation or disposition of cannabis waste. All records required by this section are records subject to inspection by the department and shall be kept pursuant to section 8400 of this chapter.

§ 8402. Track‐and‐Trace System.

Except as provided in section 8405(e) of this chapter, each licensee shall report in the department’s track‐and‐trace system the disposition of immature and mature plants, nonmanufactured cannabis products on the licensed premises, any transfers associated with commercial cannabis activity between licensees, and any cannabis waste pursuant to this chapter.

Full text of CalCannabis’ Regulations can be accessed here.

If you have any questions about Cannabis Waste Management Plans, Cannabis Waste Management Services or general waste compliance inquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly.