California Governor Gavin Newsom is pleased with the result of the emergency rule that bans the sale of hemp-based intoxicants in his state.
California was the first US State to legalize medicinal marijuana in 1996. In 2016, the voters of the state approved recreational cannabis. In recent years, hemp-based intoxicants have become widely available in California, even from outlets like gas stations and alcohol retailers. The availability of hemp products to young people has caused concern.
The 2018 Farm Bill has created a loophole that allows products to be made by converting hemp-derived CBD (non-intoxicating CBD) into THC or other cannabinoids. The products are considered hemp, and they are not regulated the same as legal cannabis in California.
This situation led the Governor to announce emergency regulations for September 2024 that would ban the sale of hemp products. He also stated only those aged over 21 could purchase these products. The California Department of Public Health readopted the regulations that were due to expire this March.
Agents of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control have visited 11,445 businesses, resulting in 7,151 illegal items being removed from 148 sites. In April, we had reported 9,251 sites inspected with 7,007 hemp-based products being seized by 141 infringers. If businesses violate the law, they may be subject to criminal penalties as well as license loss.
So, what sort of effect has the crackdown had – have the emergency regulations and inspections been successful? This is supported by the fact that inspections have increased without seizures increasing in proportion.
According to a release from the Governor’s office late last week, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has seen 99.7% compliance among business licensees so far this year.
When ABC found harmful items in inspections they removed them from the shelves. said Frank Robles is the ABC Assistant Director Chief.
The latest ABC weekly update In the week ending on 4 May 218 business were inspected, two were found to be in violation, and 57 items were seized. It was the most seizures made in one week since December of last year.
ABC stated that anyone wishing to submit a complaint regarding illegal hemp products in a licensed establishment can do so via ABC’s complaints page.