California Governor Touts Results of Intoxicating Hemp Ban

The Office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced on Thursday that
the state’s ban on intoxicating hemp products has seen 99.7% compliance
among the more than 11,000 businesses visited by Department of Alcoholic
Beverage Control (ABC) agents.

The governor introduced the emergency regulations last September, and
lawmakers quickly approved the plan, which took immediate effect. Officials
said at the time that the proposal — which bans hemp-based foods,
beverages, and dietary products that contain any amount of THC or other
intoxicating cannabinoids — would help prevent children in the state from
being exposed to intoxicants.

Before the ban, alcohol retailers and other shops around the state were
selling intoxicating, cannabinoid-infused hemp products, including
beverages and other consumables. Officials started seizing products shortly
after the ban took effect.

Earlier this year, independent testing revealed that many of the
widely-available intoxicating hemp products contain synthetic or
semi-synthetic cannabinoids such as delta-8 or HHC. These compounds, which
can produce psychoactive effects similar to cannabis, are often
manufactured through chemical conversion processes and sold without
meaningful oversight. In many cases, products were inaccurately labeled,
lacked proper dosage guidance, and contained unknown contaminants — posing
potential risks to consumers.

“Our licensees have overwhelmingly complied with the regulation. On the few
occasions when ABC agents found items during inspections, they’ve ensured
these harmful products are removed from shelves.” — ABC Chief Deputy
Director Frank Robles, in a press release

In October, a California judge upheld the emergency regulations after hemp
companies filed a legal challenge attempting to end the enforcement actions.

The governor said the regulations help to “ensure intoxicating hemp
products are out of reach of vulnerable groups like children,” and that,
“We must always put the safety of Californians first.”

While California’s enforcement focuses on in-store retail sales,
intoxicating hemp products remain widely available online, often shipped
directly to consumers in states with little or no regulation. This
patchwork of oversight has fueled concern among public health experts and
cannabis policy groups, who have called for more consistent rules to govern
cannabinoid products across state lines.