Governor Gavin Newsom launched a direct attack on the thriving hemp industry in California on Friday by filing emergency rules that would completely prohibit THC, the intoxicating compound found in cannabis, from all hemp products in the state.
Unlike regulated cannabis stores, hemp products are sold in various locations such as gas stations and online retailers throughout California. In a statement released on Friday, Newsom emphasized the necessity of these emergency rules to safeguard children from potential harm.
"We will not stand idly by as drug dealers target our children with dangerous and unregulated hemp products containing THC at our retail stores," Newsom declared. "We are taking action to close loopholes and increase enforcement to prevent children from accessing these dangerous hemp and cannabis products."
Under the proposed emergency rules, all hemp products sold in California must have "no detectable amount of total THC," and customers must be at least 21 years old to purchase these products. According to the Hill, the California Office of Administrative Law must approve the rules before they can take effect.
Hemp and marijuana are closely related, as both are derived from the cannabis plant. However, while marijuana remains illegal under federal law, Congress legalized hemp in 2018. This legalization has led to the proliferation of hemp products in various forms, ranging from intoxicating vape pens and drinks to non-intoxicating medical tinctures.
In recent years, the hemp industry has experienced a surge in popularity due to its less stringent regulations compared to the marijuana industry. This has made it more cost-effective for companies to produce and customers to purchase hemp products. Consequently, some licensed marijuana companies in California have abandoned the legal cannabis market to focus on producing and selling hemp products instead.
The California Cannabis Industry, a trade group representing licensed marijuana companies, issued a statement on Friday morning praising Newsom's emergency regulations, stating that they will "create a safer, more transparent marketplace."
"We commend Governor Newsom's decisive action to address intoxicating hemp products in California, protecting public health and ensuring that harmful, unregulated products no longer undermine our state's rigorous cannabis laws," the statement read.
Earlier this year, the California legislature attempted to shut down the growing hemp industry with a proposed law, but the bill stalled due to concerns that it would block access to hemp products used as life-saving medications. Governor Newsom's emergency rules released on Friday appear to also restrict access to medical hemp products.
Unlike regulated cannabis stores, hemp products are sold in various locations such as gas stations and online retailers throughout California. In a statement released on Friday, Newsom emphasized the necessity of these emergency rules to safeguard children from potential harm.
"We will not stand idly by as drug dealers target our children with dangerous and unregulated hemp products containing THC at our retail stores," Newsom declared. "We are taking action to close loopholes and increase enforcement to prevent children from accessing these dangerous hemp and cannabis products."
Under the proposed emergency rules, all hemp products sold in California must have "no detectable amount of total THC," and customers must be at least 21 years old to purchase these products. According to the Hill, the California Office of Administrative Law must approve the rules before they can take effect.
Hemp and marijuana are closely related, as both are derived from the cannabis plant. However, while marijuana remains illegal under federal law, Congress legalized hemp in 2018. This legalization has led to the proliferation of hemp products in various forms, ranging from intoxicating vape pens and drinks to non-intoxicating medical tinctures.
In recent years, the hemp industry has experienced a surge in popularity due to its less stringent regulations compared to the marijuana industry. This has made it more cost-effective for companies to produce and customers to purchase hemp products. Consequently, some licensed marijuana companies in California have abandoned the legal cannabis market to focus on producing and selling hemp products instead.
The California Cannabis Industry, a trade group representing licensed marijuana companies, issued a statement on Friday morning praising Newsom's emergency regulations, stating that they will "create a safer, more transparent marketplace."
"We commend Governor Newsom's decisive action to address intoxicating hemp products in California, protecting public health and ensuring that harmful, unregulated products no longer undermine our state's rigorous cannabis laws," the statement read.
Earlier this year, the California legislature attempted to shut down the growing hemp industry with a proposed law, but the bill stalled due to concerns that it would block access to hemp products used as life-saving medications. Governor Newsom's emergency rules released on Friday appear to also restrict access to medical hemp products.
