Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed several measures that he says will strengthen the state’s cannabis laws, expand the legal cannabis market, and “redress the harms of cannabis prohibition.”

Newsom on Sunday signed 10 cannabis-related bills, including Senate Bill 1326, which creates a process for California to enter into agreements with other states to allow cannabis transactions with entities outside of California. He also signed Senate Bill 1186, put forth by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), which preempts local bans on medicinal cannabis delivery in an effort to expand patients’ access to legal, regulated cannabis products.

Oakland Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D) put forth Assembly Bill 1706, which Newsom signed, which seals old cannabis-related convictions for Californians. Newsom also signed Assembly Bill 2188 by Bill Quirk (D-Hayward), which protects Californians from employment discrimination based on their use of cannabis off-the-clock and away from the workplace.

“For too many Californians, the promise of cannabis legalization remains out of reach,” Newsom said. “These measures build on the important strides our state has made toward this goal, but much work remains to build an equitable, safe and sustainable legal cannabis industry. I look forward to partnering with the Legislature and policymakers to fully realize cannabis legalization in communities across California.”

Newsom also announced that he has directed the California Department of Public Health to convene experts to survey current scientific research and policy mechanisms to address the growing emergence of high-potency cannabis and hemp products. He also directed the Department of Cannabis Control to examine potency and its related health impacts.

Katy St. Clair got her start in journalism by working in the classifieds department at the East Bay Express during the height of alt weeklies, then sweet talked her way into becoming staff writer, submissions editor, and music editor. She has been a columnist in the East Bay Express, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Examiner. Starting in 2015, she begrudgingly scaled the inverted pyramid at dailies such as the Vallejo Times-Herald, The Vacaville Reporter, and the Daily Republic. She has her own independent news site and blog that covers the delightfully dysfunctional town of Vallejo, California, where she also collaborates with the investigative team at Open Vallejo. A passionate advocate for people with developmental disabilities, she serves on both the Board of the Arc of Solano and the Arc of California. She lives in Vallejo.