Advocating for Better Patient Care: An Amendment to California’s Cannabis Regulations for Alcohol-Based Tinctures
California’s cannabis regulations are some of the most comprehensive in the nation. While they provide essential frameworks for safety, licensing, and consumption, there remains a critical gap that continues to impact patients and small craft businesses alike. That gap? The prohibition of alcohol-based cannabis tinctures.
Why Alcohol-Based Tinctures Matter for Patient Care
Cannabis tinctures have long been a preferred choice for patients seeking discreet, fast-acting relief. For many, alcohol-based tinctures offer benefits that other mediums simply cannot match:
Higher Absorption Rate: Alcohol allows for faster absorption of cannabinoids into the bloodstream, making it especially useful for patients dealing with acute symptoms like severe pain, anxiety attacks, or muscle spasms.
Longer Shelf Life: Alcohol tinctures have a longer shelf life than oil-based alternatives, ensuring that patients always have access to effective medicine.
Less Irritation: Unlike certain oils, alcohol-based tinctures are often gentler on the stomach, making them more suitable for patients with digestive issues.
For countless patients, alcohol-based tinctures offer a lifeline to consistent, effective relief. Yet, due to regulatory constraints, they are currently banned from the legal cannabis market in California—a decision that limits patient options and undermines access to vital medicine.
The Impact on Small Craft Cannabis Businesses
Beyond patients, this prohibition has had a profound impact on small craft cannabis businesses across the state. Artisanal makers, including beloved brands like Naturally Mystic Organics and Fiddler’s Greens, have been forced to discontinue their alcohol-based products or shut down altogether. These brands were not just businesses; they were pillars of the cannabis community, dedicated to making high-quality medicine accessible to all.
The current regulations favor larger corporations with resources to pivot production, while smaller businesses struggle to adapt to ever-changing rules. As these local businesses close their doors, California loses the innovation, diversity, and spirit that once defined its cannabis landscape. The inability to produce alcohol-based tinctures is just one of many challenges that have contributed to the decline of small craft operators—a group that built the foundation of California’s cannabis culture long before legalization.
A Step Toward Better Patient Care and Revitalized Craft Cannabis
In response to the urgent need for reform, I have crafted an amendment to California’s cannabis regulations that would allow the production and sale of alcohol-based tinctures. The amendment aims to:
Reintroduce Alcohol-Based Tinctures as a legal and safe option for patients.
Establish Safety Standards for production, ensuring that tinctures meet all testing and labeling requirements.
Offer Licensing Opportunities specifically designed for small craft producers, providing them with a fair chance to compete in the market and revive their businesses.
This amendment not only prioritizes patient care but also creates economic opportunities for craft businesses that have been left behind by current regulations.
Seeking Your Feedback and Support
I’m excited to announce that the full draft of this amendment will be posted here on ChronicallyCara.com in just two days. It will be accompanied by a sign-up form for those interested in volunteering and supporting this effort. I welcome constructive feedback from patients, business owners, advocates, and anyone who shares my vision for a more inclusive and effective cannabis industry.
Together, we can build a campaign that supports patients, promotes local businesses, and brings alcohol-based tinctures back to the market. Your voice matters, and with your help, we can push for the change that California’s cannabis community truly needs.
Stay tuned for the official amendment and sign-up form, and let’s make California’s cannabis regulations work for everyone!
In solidarity,
Chronically Cara
