AB 1209: Workers’ compensation: cannabis industry.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), approved by the voters at the November 8, 2016, statewide general election, regulates the cultivation, distribution, transport, storage, manufacturing, testing, processing, sale, and use of marijuana for nonmedical purposes by people 21 years of age and older. The existing Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA), among other things, consolidates the licensure and regulation of commercial medicinal and adult-use cannabis activities.

Existing law establishes a workers’ compensation system, administered by the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, to compensate an employee, as defined, for injuries sustained in the course of employment. Existing law requires every employer to secure the payment of workers’ compensation as provided by law and imposes civil and criminal penalties on employers that fail to secure the payment of workers’ compensation. Existing law authorizes an employer, pursuant to this provision, to insure against liability in insurers duly authorized to write compensation insurance in the state or to secure from the Director of Industrial Relations a certificate of consent to self-insure.

This bill would authorize the administrative director or their agent to require an employer that is licensed or required to be licensed under MAUCRSA to provide proof that it has secured payment of workers’ compensation to the administrative director or their agent. The bill would authorize the administrative director or their agent to establish a schedule for compliance that includes dates for when a licensee may be required to comply with these requirements. The bill would require the administrative director to provide assistance to any employer or entity that notifies the administrative director that it has been unable to obtain coverage and authorize the administrative director to extend the deadline for compliance, and would exempt any employer that secures the payment of workers’ compensation pursuant to these provisions from civil or criminal liability for prior failure to secure the payment of compensation. The bill would authorize the administrative director to contract with one or more agents to assist employers in complying with these provisions, as specified.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 2, 2026From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2. January 31, 2026Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
3. April 21, 2025In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
4. April 21, 2025Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.
5. April 10, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended.
6. April 2, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. (Ayes 15. Noes 2.) (April 2). Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.
7. March 27, 2025Re-referred to Com. on INS.
8. March 26, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on INS. Read second time and amended.
9. March 24, 2025Re-referred to Com. on INS.
10. March 20, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on INS. Read second time and amended.
11. March 13, 2025Referred to Coms. on INS. and B. & P.
12. February 24, 2025Read first time.