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California bans drones from delivering marijuana

California bans drones from delivering marijuana

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Drones delivering hamburgers, beer, and Amazon products might be right around the corner, but don’t get your hopes up if you want your weed sent to you via robot. That’s because California’s Bureau of Cannabis Control has recently unveiled new regulatory rules that will ban drones from delivering marijuana, as spotted by Ars Technica. The Bureau is currently developing regulation surrounding weed use and sales under the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) after recreational marijuana was legalized in California.

“Cannabis goods will be required to be transported inside commercial vehicles or trailers,” the proposed program description reads. “Transportation may not be done by aircraft, watercraft, rail, drones, human powered vehicles, or unmanned vehicles.” That means a host of start-ups promising to deliver marijuana by drone like MDelivers and Eaze might see that part of their business left in the lurch. Under the rules, deliveries can only be made by licensed retailers, “in person by enclosed motor vehicle,” and the vehicles used for deliveries must have a GPS that allows the seller to track the package. The Bureau also specifically states that those delivering the cannabis aren’t allowed to consume the substance while out on the delivery.

California is the largest economy in the US and the legal marijuana industry could be worth $5 billion to the state. Licenses for cannabis distributors, retailers, testing labs, and other businesses will be issued beginning January 1, 2018.