

As California inches closer towards regulating legal marijuana, there’s nobody better to answer all your questions than Lori Ajax.

Originally appointed to oversee the state’s medical marijuana program in 2016, Ajax took on greater responsibility after voters approved recreational sales in last November’s election. Now working as chief of the Bureau of Cannabis Control, Ajax and her team have been working tirelessly to insure that legal sales can begin on January 1, 2018.

Now with a regulated pot market on its way, Ajax spared a moment of her important time to answer a few questions regarding uncertainties for medical patients and business owners, the possibility of interference from the Trump administration, and the future of legal cannabis in California.

If these answers aren’t enough, Ajax will field questions as a keynote speaker for the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference in San Francisco, which promises to be the first industry meeting under California’s new pot laws. The ICBC will be held at the Hyatt Embarcadero on Feb. 1 and 2.

Smell the Truth: Now that the first temporary recreational sales permits were recently announced, how many more will be issued before Jan. 1?

Lori Ajax: The Bureau staff is working hard to issue as many licenses as we can before January 1, but the number of licenses the Bureau can issue is impacted by whether the applicant has authorization from the local jurisdiction and the property owner to conduct commercial cannabis activity.

StT: How long before permanent licenses are given?

Ajax: The Bureau is accepting annual license applications as well as temporary licenses. Temporary licenses are good for 120 days, which will allow for the more lengthy review process for annual license applications.

StT: What are the most vital lessons that you’ve learned from states that have previously introduced legal sales and regulations?

Ajax: We were fortunate to learn from the other states that have legalized medicinal and adult-use cannabis prior to legalization in California. An important lesson is that many of these states are continually making changes to their regulatory systems to address requirements that may not work as intended or new emerging business models. Even though we have our emergency regulations in place, in early 2018 we will begin the regular rulemaking process, which includes public hearings across the state and a longer comment period.

StT: Several medical cannabis businesses will certainly apply for recreational licenses. What will be their standing in the interim while applications are considered?

Ajax: All businesses wishing to operate on or after January 1 must have a state license to do so legally. Temporary licenses are available for both medicinal and adult-use activities.

StT: A handful of current medical marijuana consumers don’t plan to renew their health recommendation in lieu of switching to recreational sales. How will medical consumers be affected in the rollout of recreational sales? Are there any differences from recreational sales, or changes to the existing medical program that should be noted?

Ajax: Those medical patients that currently have a medical card can continue to use their card and pay less in taxes than the adult use-customer. We have issued licenses to retail businesses that intend to operate only as a medicinal retailer.

StT: What are the most pressing challenges to incorporating new regulations into a market that’s been unbridled for over 20 years?

Ajax: Many of our potential licensees have been conducting business in the same way for years. And many of the local jurisdictions have different requirements. Helping stakeholders understand the new way business must be conducted in a regulated system and helping them navigate the transition is very important to a successful cannabis industry.

StT: With uncertainty hovering from the current presidential administration, do you foresee any federal interference, and how do you plan to respond?

Ajax: It’s hard to say what the future hold. We are continuing to work to develop a regulatory model in California that considers the federal guidance of the Cole memorandum.

StT: What further improvements do you hope to bring to both medical and recreational programs as the regulatory system continues to grow?

Ajax: As we move to regular rulemaking, the Bureau will continue to communicate with all stakeholders to obtain important feedback about what is working and what is not working under our emergency regulations. This will allow the Bureau to make changes to improve the regulatory system.

StT: With your upcoming appearance at the International Cannabis Business Conference, what message do you have for the legal cannabis industry at large?

Ajax: To continue to work with the Bureau as we are implementing this new regulatory system. We want to hear from you.

Smell The Truth is one of the internet’s most popular destinations for cannabis-related news and culture. This blog is not written or edited by SFGate or the San Francisco Chronicle. The authors are solely responsible for the content.