A new era for the world's oldest, largest medical cannabis economy begins today.

Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law this afternoon three bills that regulate medical marijuana in California for the first time. 

In a signing statement, Brown wrote that the bills:

"establish a long-overdue comprehensive regulatory framework for the production, transportation, and sale of medical marijuana. ... state agencies will begin working immediately with experts and stakeholders on crafting clear guidelines, so local government, law enforcement, businesses, patients and health providers can prepare and adapt to the new regulated system.

This new structure will make sure patients have access to medical marijuana, while ensuring a robust tracking system. This send a clear and certain signal to our federal counterparts that California is implementing robust controls not only on paper, but in practice."

Read more about the winners and losers of California's historic new regulations, as well as what's in the bills. 

Keep reading Legalization Nation for more on what's next.