Glyphosate: prohibition on sale.

Senator Weber Pierson's proposal to regulate glyphosate sales in California would establish new restrictions on the herbicide's availability while maintaining access for licensed professionals. The legislation creates a framework that limits retail sales of glyphosate-containing products starting January 1, 2028, allowing purchases only by individuals and businesses holding valid certification from the Department of Pesticide Regulation.

The Department of Pesticide Regulation would oversee implementation and enforcement of the new requirements, with authority to levy $100 civil penalties for each violation of the sales prohibition. This builds upon California's existing pesticide regulatory structure, which centralizes oversight at the state level rather than allowing local jurisdictions to enact their own rules.

The three-year period between the bill's introduction and implementation provides time for affected stakeholders to adapt their operations. Manufacturers and retailers would need to modify their distribution practices, while agricultural users and other professionals who rely on glyphosate would need to obtain proper licensing to maintain access to these products. The general public would no longer be able to purchase glyphosate directly once the prohibition takes effect.