INDUSTRY UPDATES

February 28, 2025

Hemp Bill Updates in Florida, California, Georgia and Utah

We have 4 states to report on this week. We start in the Sunshine State, where SB 1030 would ban most hemp products, while HB 601 offers a more balanced regulatory approach. We’ve launched an email campaign in the state. 

In California, three hemp-related bills have been introduced, with varying impact on the industry. We’re a long ways away from any action in California, but we’re monitoring the situation closely. 

In Georgia, SB 229 would deny alcohol distributors the ability to distribute hemp THC beverages.

Finally, in Utah, HB 52 has gone into effect. We’ve heard reports this law bans direct-to-consumer sales in the state. 

Learn more and participate in our Florida campaign below!

Please use and share widely our State Action Center to urge lawmakers to support sensible hemp regulations and oppose harmful legislation that stifles innovation, economic growth, and consumer choice.

Florida

Florida’s SB 1030 would impose arbitrary and overly restrictive limits on hemp products. This bill would ban the vast majority of hemp products on the market and implement excessively burdensome marketing and packaging rules that harm legitimate hemp businesses. 

Rather than imposing these extreme restrictions, Florida should focus on sensible, enforceable regulations that ensure product safety without destroying the industry. We urge legislators to reject SB 1030 and instead support HB 601, which represents a balanced approach to regulation, ensuring hemp products are free from harmful contaminants through independent laboratory testing, preventing underage access, and implementing reasonable packaging requirements, while ultimately allowing the majority of hemp products to remain available for adults.

When Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a legislative hemp ban last year, he provided an outline for regulations that he believed would do away with bad actors but protect legitimate hemp operators. HB601 addresses these concerns in a thoughtful manner. 

We look forward to working with legislators and stakeholders in Florida to ensure the success of the hemp industry in the Sunshine State.

Florida Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to email your legislators in opposition of SB 1030 and support HB 601.

Contact Florida Legislators

California

In California, there are three hemp-related bills that have been filed so far this year.

AB 8, introduced by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, allows two things: allow cannabis licensees to also engage in the hemp industry, and require out-of-state manufacturers to register with the California Department of Public Health. We have heard rumors that AB 8 could be amended to include harmful language towards the hemp industry, stay tuned for further updates. 

AB 1397 is a step towards allowing some hemp products to re-enter the California marketplace by authorizing low-dose hemp beverages, with no more than 5 mg of THC in each container, and imposing a 10% excise tax on the gross receipts of those products.  It does not include other hemp products like edibles that comply with AB 45 but violate the emergency regs. There is a typo in the current text of AB 1397 that puts the THC cap at 0.5 milligrams; we have assurances the language will be amended to 5 milligrams at the first opportunity.

Finally, SB378 was introduced at the request of the Newsom administration purportedly to respond to the online sale of cannabis and hemp products that are not compliant with California law. The bill apparently is the administration’s next step in trying to stop the sale of hemp products with any THC that they began with the emergency regulations in September and to drive those products into cannabis dispensaries.  

We will be monitoring California closely.

Georgia

In Georgia, SB 229 would deny alcohol distributors the ability to distribute hemp THC beverages. The bill is currently being heard in Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

We will keep you updated as the legislation progresses.

Utah

Utah’s, HB 52 went into effect on January 1, 2025.  This legislation levies a new flat 10% tax for all hemp products which requires a tax license and $500 bond. 

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!