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.
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