California CodesBusiness and Professions Code - BPCDivision 10 — CannabisChapter 2 — AdministrationSection 26010.5

(a) The Governor shall appoint the director of the department, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The director shall serve under the direction and supervision of the Secretary of Business and Consumer Service and at the pleasure of the Governor.

(b) Every power granted to or duty imposed upon the director under this division may be exercised or performed in the name of the director by a deputy or assistant director or by a chief, subject to conditions and limitations that the director may prescribe.

(c) (1) The director may employ and appoint all employees necessary to properly administer the work of the department, in accordance with civil service laws and regulations.

(2) The Governor may also appoint a chief deputy director, a deputy director of equity and inclusion, and either a deputy director of legal affairs or a chief counsel to the department. These positions shall serve under the direction and supervision of the director and hold office at the pleasure of the Governor.

(d) The department has the power, duty, purpose, responsibility, and jurisdiction to regulate commercial cannabis activity as provided in this division.

(e) Upon the effective date of this section, whenever any reference to the “Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act,” “Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act,” or former Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 19300) of Division 8 appears in any statute, regulation, contract, or in any other code, it shall be construed to refer to this division as it relates to medicinal cannabis and medicinal cannabis products.

(f) The amendments made to this section by the act adding this subdivision shall become operative on July 1, 2026.