California · Military and Veterans Code - MVC

MVC §1801: It is unlawful for any person to do any of the following acts: (a) To hawk, peddle, vend, offer to sell, give away, or offer to give away any poppy, badge, or label, which appears to be, or is represe

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is unlawful to sell, distribute, or misrepresent poppies, badges, or labels as being sponsored by veterans' organizations when they are not. Violators are guilty of a misdemeanor.

Read the full statutory text
It is unlawful for any person to do any of the following acts: (a) To hawk, peddle, vend, offer to sell, give away, or offer to give away any poppy, badge, or label, which appears to be, or is represented directly or indirectly as being, sponsored, endorsed, or offered by any veterans’ organization, when such poppy, badge, or label is not so sponsored, endorsed, or offered by any veterans’ organization. (b) To represent in any way, directly or indirectly, that any poppy, badge, or label is sponsored, endorsed, or is being offered by a veterans’ organization when it is in fact not so sponsored, endorsed, or offered by that veterans’ organization. (c) To represent in any way, directly or indirectly that any act of solicitation of the contribution of funds or property or for the purchase or sale of any merchandise or services is sponsored, endorsed, or made by or at the request of a veterans’ organization when it is not in fact so sponsored, endorsed, or made by that veterans’ organization. (d) To manufacture, process, assemble or distribute, or offer for sale, any poppy, badge, or label which appears to be, or is represented directly or indirectly as being, sponsored, endorsed, or offered by any veterans’ organization, when such poppy, badge, or label is not so sponsored, endorsed, or offered by any veterans’ organization. Any person, whether or not an honorably discharged member of the Armed Forces of the United States, and whether or not licensed to hawk, peddle, or vend goods, wares, or merchandise, who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.