INDUSTRY UPDATES

February 24, 2024

Age Restrictions for Non-Intoxicating Hemp Products & Other Updates

Check out the latest legislative updates across the states and take action today!

Age Restrictions – Multi Sate

Bills in FIVE states would impose unfair age restrictions for most or all types of hemp products, including CBD.

Arizona

SB 1186 would restrict all hemp-derived products to persons 21 or older and would create packaging and other requirements.

Georgia

HB 1127 and SB 437 are companion bills that would prohibit the sale of consumable hemp products to persons under 21, including non-intoxicating products like CBD. The legislative intent is similar to SB 350, a bill we have previously flagged for Georgia Hemp Supporters. 

Illinois

HB 5306 & SB 3790 are companion bills that would prohibit the sale of consumable hemp products to persons under 21, including non-intoxicating products like CBD.

Iowa

Two sets of companion bills – HF 2605 & SF 2352 and HSB 665 & SSB 3159 – would prohibit the sale of consumable hemp products to persons under 21, including non-intoxicating products like CBD.

New Jersey

A 3580 and S 2313 are companion bills in both legislative chambers would prohibit the distribution or sale of any product that contains any amount of THC to persons under 21.

These bills must be defeated. A 21-or-older age restriction for legal hemp-derived products that are safe and pose no risk of intoxication is unwise policy and likens hemp-derived CBD to impairing substances like alcohol. We encourage Hemp Supporters in Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, and New Jersey to use our State Action Center to urge legislators to oppose the bills.

State Action Center

Mississippi

RED ALERT: HB 1676  is yet another piece of legislation proposed by marijuana monopolists and prohibition advocates to destroy the legal hemp product market – adult and non-intoxicating — by setting highly unreasonable THC limits on products. A consumable product that contains more than 0.5mg of total THC per serving, or more than 2.5mg of total THC per package or CBD-to-THC ratio that is greater than 20:1 would be classified as an “intoxicating hemp product.” Such products may only be sold by a licensed cannabis dispensary. Total THC would include all forms of THC, including delta-9, delta-8, delta-10, and delta-6. Additionally, the bill limits all consumable hemp products, including non-intoxicating products, to persons 21 or older and prohibits the manufacture, production, or sale of any hemp product that contains an artificially derived cannabinoid.

Hemp Supporters in Mississippi are encouraged to use our State Action Center to urge legislators to oppose the bill.

Contact Mississippi Legislators

Georgia

There are other new bills worth monitoring. Also in Georgia, consumable hemp products are attracting even more attention. HB 1322 establishes a standard by which delta-9 THC concentration is established for purpose of the total delta-9 THC concentration limit for consumable hemp products. The bill also imposes packaging requirements and advertising restrictions for consumable hemp products, and, after July 1, 2024, prohibits the new operation of a consumable hemp products retail store within 1,000 feet of any elementary or secondary school.
 
SB 494 would require consumable hemp product manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers to have a license. Annual license fees would be set by the Commissioner of Agriculture. The fee for a manufacturer license would be $5,000, the fee for a retail license would range from $250-$4,000, and the fee for a wholesale license would range from $5,000-$10,000.

Nebraska

In Nebraska, LB 1341 would define hemp to include consumable hemp products, making it clear that such products may be commercially sold. The bill sets a 7.5% tax rate on consumable hemp product sales.

West Virginia

Finally, thanks to your efforts in West Virginia, a committee substitute to SB 679 removes the original bill’s 0.3% restriction for all hemp-derived cannabinoids. The latest version now primarily addresses other requirements, clarifying that hemp cannabinoid product manufacturers, processors, distributors, and sellers, including out-of-state distributors and sellers, are subject to permitting, labeling, and other administrative requirements. Requirements include that hemp business must obtain a business registration certificate and hemp cannabinoid products may not be sold without an approved label.

Visit our State Action Center to see active campaigns across the country!

State Action Center

Check out the latest hemp and CBD updates from across the states!