BCC (Bureau of Cannabis Control)
Definition: The BCC, or Bureau of Cannabis Control, was the California state agency that licensed and regulated cannabis retailers, distributors, testing labs, and microbusinesses. In July 2021, it merged with two other state cannabis programs to form the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), which regulates the industry today.
What Were the BCC’s Earlier Names?
- 2015: Created as the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation under California’s medical cannabis regulation laws.
- 2016: Renamed the Bureau of Marijuana Control after voters passed Prop 64.
- 2017: Renamed the Bureau of Cannabis Control when the state merged its medical and adult-use rules into one system.
- 2021: Combined with the state’s cannabis cultivation and manufacturing programs to form the Department of Cannabis Control.
What Did the BCC Do?
The BCC issued and enforced licenses for retailers, delivery services, distributors, testing laboratories, and event organizers. It wrote rules on packaging, labeling, lab testing, and security, and it investigated unlicensed businesses.
Who Regulates Cannabis in California Now?
The Department of Cannabis Control handles licensing, compliance, and enforcement for the whole legal supply chain, from cultivation to retail. Consumers can use the DCC’s license search to confirm a store or delivery service is legal before buying.
Related terms: Prop 64, Prop 215, Dispensary, Marijuana Delivery Services
