#147 - Reclaiming California’s Cannabis Market with DCC Director Clint Kellum

As California crosses its eighth year of adult-use legalization, operators find themselves caught between a stubborn illicit market and rigid regulatory oversight. In this pivotal episode of High Spirits, hosts Ben Larson & AnnaRae Grabstein sit down with Clint Kellum, Director of the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), to unpack the structural friction facing the world’s largest cannabis economy.From the rollout of an innovative AI-powered image analyzer for packaging compliance to a massive transition away from individual plant tagging, Clint gives an insider’s look at how the regulatory body is trying to ease operational burdens. The conversation takes a sharp turn into the future, exploring the fallout of the state's intoxicating hemp ban, an immediate crackdown on testing loopholes for 14 new pesticides, and California’s long-term play as federal rescheduling under Schedule III looms.What You’ll LearnAI & Packaging Overhaul: How the DCC is implementing an AI image analyzer to cut down on label compliance friction and protect against child-appealing packaging rules.The Death of Plant Tags: Inside the regulatory shift toward group plant tagging launching next year and how the state is navigating the recent worker safety debate around metric tags.The 2028 Hemp Deadline: What the implementation of AB8 means for the future integration of hemp-derived cannabinoids into the licensed California supply chain.Rescheduling & Border Control: Why the DCC is actively leaning on the DEA for formal guidance regarding interstate commerce and the preservation of the California cannabis brand.Meet the GuestClint Kellum is the Director of the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), where he guides state licensing, compliance, public health policy, and enforcement efforts. Bringing over 18 years of public service experience rooted in state budgeting and organizational leadership, Clint previously served as the DCC’s Chief Deputy Director starting in January 2025. Prior to regulating the cannabis market, he served as the Chief Deputy Executive Director of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) and worked extensively as a cannabis coordinator for the Department of Finance immediately following the passage of Prop 64.Why Tune In?If you are an entrepreneur or executive trying to out-maneuver the regulatory complexity of the cannabis supply chain, this episode provides direct clarity straight from the state’s top enforcement official. Tune in to understand where the compliance goalposts are moving next so you can keep your business secure, compliant, and ready for federal shift parameters.Have a question for us? Send us a text. We may answer it in the next show!--High Spirits is brought to you by Vertosa and Wolf Meyer.Your hosts are Ben Larson and AnnaRae Grabstein.Follow High Spirits on LinkedIn. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Who would you like to see on the show? What topics would you like to have us cover? Visit our website www.highspiritspod.com and listen to all of our past shows.THANK YOU to our audience. Your engagement encourages us to keep bringing you these thought-provoking conversations. Remember to always stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, keep your spirits high.