65150.
The powers and duties of the commission shall include, but not be limited to, the following:(a) Elect a chairperson and other officers as it may deem advisable, and delegate duties as may be advisable.
(b) Adopt and, from time to time, alter, rescind, modify, and amend all proper and necessary rules, procedures, and orders for the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties, including rules of procedure for appeals from any rule, procedure, or order of the commission.
(c) Administer and enforce this chapter, and do and perform all acts and exercise all powers incidental to or in connection with or deemed reasonably necessary, proper, or advisable to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(d) Employ or retain a person to serve at the pleasure of the commission as president and chief executive officer of the commission, and other personnel, including private legal counsel of its choice, necessary to carry out this chapter. The commission may fix the compensation for all employees of the commission. The commission may retain a management firm or the staff from any board, commission, or committee of the state government to perform the functions prescribed by this section under the direction of the commission.
(e) Establish offices, incur expenses, and enter into any and all contracts and agreements, and create liabilities and borrow funds in advance or receipt of assessments as may be necessary, at the discretion of the commission, for the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter and the performance of its duties.
(f) Maintain accurate books, records, and accounts of all its dealings, which shall be subject to an annual audit by an auditing firm selected by the commission with the concurrence of the secretary. A summary of the audit shall be reported to all persons subject to this chapter, a copy of which shall also be submitted to the department. In addition, the secretary may, as the secretary determines necessary, conduct or cause to be conducted a fiscal and compliance audit of the commission.
(g) Present facts to, and negotiate with, local and state agencies on matters affecting the cannabis and indoor-grown cannabis industries.
(h) Appoint committees. A committee may be composed of both members and nonmembers of the commission.
(i) Assess and address the impact of local and state regulations on the cannabis and indoor-grown cannabis industries.
(j) Educate and instruct the consuming public with respect to cannabis and indoor-grown cannabis, including, but not limited to, the uses, medicinal properties, and health value of these commodities, environmental protection and conservation issues relating to the production of cannabis and indoor-grown cannabis, and legal marketing efforts.
(k) (1) Provide education and instruction on the proper methods of cultivating, processing, manufacturing, distributing, marketing, and sale of cannabis and indoor-grown cannabis to persons engaged in those activities.
(2) Provide education and information regarding the merchandising of cannabis and indoor-grown cannabis, including displays and other promotional materials.
(3) Create educational programs or materials regarding the packaging and labeling of cannabis and indoor-grown cannabis and communication to consumers.
(l) (1) Conduct market surveys and analysis.
(2) Assist local and state agencies in addressing issues affecting market access, including, but not limited to, by providing assistance regarding phytosanitary issues, developing shipping protocols, and identifying best practices for distribution.
(m) Conduct, and contract with others to conduct, scientific and other research, including the study, analysis, dissemination, and accumulation of information obtained from research or elsewhere regarding the cultivation, processing, manufacturing, distribution, testing, medicinal value, marketing, sale, and cultural practices relating to the cannabis and indoor-grown cannabis industries.
(n) Undertake any other similar activities that the commission may determine appropriate for the maintenance and expansion of present markets and the creation of new and larger markets for cannabis and indoor-grown cannabis.
(o) Accept contributions of private, local, or state funds, and make contributions of commission funds, or match contributions, to other persons or to local or state agencies for purposes of promoting, enhancing, and maintaining the cannabis and indoor-grown cannabis industries.
(p) Cooperate with governmental or private entities in the resolution of emergencies arising in the cannabis and indoor-grown cannabis industries and impacting the health and safety of the public or the continued stability of the cannabis and indoor-grown cannabis industries.
(q) Collect information, including, but not limited to, information about the cannabis and indoor-grown cannabis industries, and publish and distribute, without charge, a bulletin or other communication to persons subject to this chapter.
(r) Establish an assessment rate to defray operating costs of the commission.
(s) Establish an annual budget according to generally accepted accounting practices. The budget shall be concurred in by the secretary before disbursement of funds, except for disbursements made for the payment of employees.
(t) Submit to the secretary for the secretary’s concurrence an annual statement of contemplated activities authorized pursuant to this chapter.
(u) Keep confidential and not disclose, except when required by a court order after a hearing in a judicial proceeding involving this chapter, all information deemed proprietary or a trade secret by the commission. The commission shall establish procedures to provide indoor cultivators access to communicate with other indoor cultivators regarding noncommercial matters affecting the commission so long as the access does not directly or indirectly release proprietary or trade secret information in the possession of the commission.
(v) Investigate and prosecute civil violations of this chapter and file complaints with appropriate law enforcement agencies or officers for suspected criminal violations of this chapter.
(w) Administer any program of activities authorized by this chapter upon the request of an authorized agent of the program.