HB 628 Summary: Adult Use Cannabis Regulation

• Establishes a Division of Cannabis Control within the Department of Commerce to license and regulate adult use cannabis operators (cultivators, processors, dispensaries) and testing laboratories, with licenses to be issued within 9 months of the bill's effective date.

• Permits adults 21+ to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis plant material or 15 grams of cannabis extract, and allows home cultivation of up to 6 plants per individual (12 maximum per residence) for personal use without remuneration.

• Authorizes three tiers of cultivator licenses (Level I, II, and III) with increasing cultivation area limits, along with processor and dispensary licenses; provides 40 Level III cultivator licenses and 50 additional dispensary licenses with preference for cannabis social equity program participants.

• Imposes a 10% excise tax on adult use cannabis sales, with revenue distributed to: cannabis social equity and jobs fund (36%), host community cannabis fund (36%), substance abuse and addiction services (25%), and division operations (3%).

• Establishes cannabis social equity and jobs program to provide financial assistance and business support to individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by marijuana enforcement, including those with prior marijuana convictions or from high-poverty areas.