California stands as the USA’s largest economy, and is about to see a large shift and increase in its fortunes as the legalisation of marijuana takes place next year. It promises a wealth of opportunities for startups and pre-existing businesses, and it covers many sectors from agriculture to real estate, security to software. As the 1st January deadline to issue retail licenses approaches, there are many discussions by state regulators taking place as to how to adopt distribution rules and any other laws related to the drug. And the BCC has taken a hardline stance against autonomous deliveries.
This ban is against any unmanned delivery, whether that is by air or across the ground. The emergency regulations state that, “Transportation may not be done by aircraft, watercraft, rail, drones, human-powered vehicles, or unmanned vehicle.”
Furthermore the regulations state that deliveries must also be made in person. “Deliveries may be made only in person by enclosed motor vehicle. Cannabis goods may not be visible to the public during deliveries.” So, while California citizens can receive pharmaceutical goods by post, marijuana deliveries have to be made by a human-driven delivery.
Several startups, such as Eaze and MDelivers, had already made promises of autonomous deliveries. In order to comply with the new regulations, they will be forced to go back on those optimistic claims.
As marijuana legislation is rolled across seven other states, we will have to see if they adopt similar rules to California, as autonomous deliveries would still have to comply with the FAA’s prohibition of BVLoS flying.
References: ars Technica DCC
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