California bans drone delivery of weed

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Thanks to Silicon Valley, California is seen as one of the most high-tech places in the world. From pizza, burger and Amazon products, drones are used to deliver almost everything. Except weed.

Although permitted in California, cannabis, another name for weed and marijuana, cannot be delivered by drones according to a recent regulation released by California’s Bureau of Cannabis Control.

In 1996, California became the first state to legalize marijuana for medicinal use. /AFP Photo

"Transportation may not be done by aircraft, watercraft, rail, drones, human powered vehicles, or unmanned vehicles." The Bureau declared in its business licensing regulations. "Cannabis goods will be required to be transported inside commercial vehicles or trailers."

It also added that cannabis goods shouldn’t be visible to the public during deliveries, and a dedicated, active GPS is required for transport vehicles for dispensary to track their locations.

As one of the most cannabis tolerant states in the US, California, in 1996, became the first state to legalize marijuana for medicinal use, according to the California Proposition 215.

Drone delivery in China

Drone delivery is also seen as a booming service in China. JD.com, one of China’s biggest e-commerce companies, announced its ambition of "occupying" the sky.

The company is constructing delivery drones that can carry 1,000 kilograms of goods and fly at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour, and hopes to extend its reach into areas of rural China.

One of JD's drones showcased at CES Asia in Shanghai on June 7. /VCG Photo

Besides goods delivery, drone is also used to “feed” college students in China. Luxun Academy of Fine Arts in Dalian City of northeast China’s Liaoning Province issued a new regulation this month to ban food deliverymen from entering its campus.

However, the new rule failed to stop a nearby fried chicken diner. By controlling civilian drone, students can get their food without even stepping out of the campus.