Meg Sanders’ Post

Thank you for sharing this, Meg! It's so important to have voices like yours speaking out on how regulations can impact families and businesses alike. I completely agree that while protecting consumers is essential, there are smarter ways to do so without criminalizing parents who are just trying to help their children. Your points about lab testing and age gates are spot on — solutions like these could create a safer, more balanced approach. Prohibition isn’t the answer. We need thoughtful, effective regulations that actually benefit the community.

FOLLOW UP TO FRIDAY'S ARTICLE If you missed it, the link to Friday's article on intoxicating hemp product bans is below. One question that came up while writing it was: Should the hemp and marijuana industries be consolidated under one regulatory structure? States like CA have seemingly contemplated this move, or at least plan to. Here's a portion of AB-45's (CA's existing hemp law) legislative counsel's digest: "This bill would require the Department of Cannabis Control to prepare a report to the Governor and the Legislature outlining the steps necessary for the incorporation of hemp products into the cannabis supply chain, as specified. The bill would also require the Department of Food and Agriculture and the State Department of Public Health, in consultation with the Department of Cannabis Control, if necessary, to develop a process to share license, registration, cultivar, and enforcement information to facilitate compliance and enforcement against unlicensed manufacturers or the sale of hemp that does not meet specified requirements. The bill would make communications shared between these agencies and local law enforcement for this purpose exempt from the California Public Records Act." What do you think? Should these two industries be consolidated under one roof? Let me know what you think in the comments. DISCLAIMER: This post may be considered Attorney Advertising. However, it does not constitute legal advice and is intended for informational purposes only. Interested in cannabis business, legal, and compliance issues? Join our LinkedIn group here: https://lnkd.in/gAqZxP_U and newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/g8V7j7sT Dealing with cannabis legal issues? Book an initial consultation here: https://lnkd.in/g4wXBVMY https://lnkd.in/eaz8kfZR

I’m quoted in this piece in Forbes about the California Department of Public Health’s new emergency #hemp product regulations, which were approved by OAL today (September 23, 2024). In other words, they are now in effect. Read more about this key development by me and Omar Figueroa on the Law Offices of Omar Figueroa blog (link in comments). #THC #CBD #california #californiahemp #hempproducts #hempregulations #thcproducts #cdph #compliance #hemplaw #farmbill #ab45

California Governor Gavin Newsom just signed a very Orwellian state bill that bans almost every hemp product including hemp foods, oils, CBD that may have minute amounts of THC in said products. Back in 2002 Nutiva the hemp and coconut brand I founded sued the US DOJ and Bush Jr administration for blocking the sale of hemp food bars with tiny amounts of THC. We were successful in the SF 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. To see Gavin turn his back on USA hemp farmers and businesses is horrible. And now make it illegal for commerce in California sends a chilling message to state citizens. This is more examples of the glaring authoritarian style of California's Democratic leadership including Ms Harris who has threatened to regulate free speech that which the federal government does not like. This is of course is illegal and violates our constitution. But the modern education system does not teach our citizens about the constitution which our founders 250 years ago risked their lives( and many died) to defeat the British and be a free people. To call oneself a liberal and attack farmers in Gavin's case or any free thinking speaker in Ms Harris case shows how far we have fallen as a society. From the article : The emergency rules would require that all hemp products in California have “no detectable amount of total THC,” and require that customers be over the age of 21 to purchase the products. The rules still need the approval of the California Office of Administrative Law before they go into effect, according to the Hill. Hemp is closely related to marijuana. Both are cannabis plants but while marijuana remains federally illegal, Congress legalized hemp in 2018. That’s allowed the proliferation of hemp products that can be packaged into a wide variety of forms, from intoxicating vape pens and drinks to non-intoxicating medical tinctures.  The hemp industry has exploded in popularity in recent years...

Yesterday, Senator Ron Wyden , introduced the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act, legislation that would direct the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Alcohol Tax Tobacco & Trade Bureau (TTB) to regulate intoxicating hemp products which are currently already legal throughout the United States. Of course the bill will go through changes as it works it's way through congress, but it is calls for the basics such as lab testing. It is consumer safety focus. This bill is taking the correct approach, unlike states such as #california that recently adopted emergency ban on all intoxicating hemp products. Prohibition has never worked and never will work. Thank you to Aaron Smith from National Cannabis Industry Association for the federal update. #cannabisindustry #cannabiscommunity #cannabisnews #cannabiseducation #cannabispolicy #cannbislaw https://lnkd.in/gCu8RGMA

There is no reason to regulate these products other than to “regulate” one’s competitors! Regulation does nothing but create problems! Regulation has taken cannabis away from those who need it! Regulation has created the black market! If cannabis was freely available (descheduled) this mess would go away overnight as genuine products would outsell the crap that people are forced to buy now because they have no other choice! The government has taken away their ability to choose! Ron is a good man! We are lucky to have him! The damage done by these products amounts to nothing compared to the damage done daily by prescription and over-the-counter medications prescribed by your doctors. The difference being what you read about cannabis in the news is usually propaganda paid for by the healthcare industry! You don’t see much in the news about the daily catastrophes happening in modern medicine because the healthcare industry will sue any media outlets that produce any negative stories about their poisonous products! #truth #real #news #propaganda #marketing #government #interfering with #free #enterprise #worldwide #criminal #enterprise #congress #misrepresentation #cannabis #mushrooms #ibogaine #kratom #healthcare #reform

Colorado Senate Passes Bill That Could Ban Social Media Users Who Post Positively About Drugs—Including Legal Psychedelics! #Colorado’s Senate has #approved a #sweeping social media bill that, among other #provisions, could force #platforms to ban users for talking #positively online about #certain controlled #substances, such as #state-legal #psychedelics, certain #hemp #products and even some over-the-counter cough syrups. The legislation, SB24-158—a broad proposal #concerning internet age #verification and content #policies—would require social media platforms to #immediately remove any user “who promotes, sells, or #advertises an #illicit substance. The amended legislation would still apply to numerous other #legal and #illegal #substances. On Wednesday, the Senate voted 30–1 to pass the revised measure on third reading, with four members excused. The amended bill also still specifies that its #restrictions apply to certain hemp #products with more than 1.25 milligrams THC or a CBD-to-THC ratio of less than 20 to 1, as well as most other #hemp-containing products intended for human consumption that are not “a dietary supplement, a food, a food additive, or an herb. Earlier this year, Colorado #marijuana #regulators also touted industry successes from the past year and# promoted their new hospitality rules for the #industry, including #increased #sales limits for #cannabis #hospitality #businesses that allow on-site use. https://lnkd.in/gbNtdhms

For those watching the legislative evolution in California, including a ban that would unfairly decimate the hemp category, possibly to include nutraceutical's like CBD, there is much to discuss and consider. Although some are blaming an unrestricted cash-grab, the human-element is being overlooked almost entirely. There is far too much research and documented evidence to support the advancement of high-quality, tested hemp-derived products for people and pets. The recent ruling upholding the unnecessary restrictions for hemp-derived products is a reflection of disconnected legislators, aligned with partisan lobbyists for the sole purpose of protecting the marijuana market. In reality, there is room for both and the consumer deserves informed choice. https://lnkd.in/g-FM49DQ

Hemp-Derived THC and Other Intoxicating Hemp Products: Let’s Talk About It As most of us know, Texas is considering a ban on all THC, including hemp-derived products. Meanwhile, other states like Minnesota are embracing these products—you can even buy hemp-derived THC drinks at a regular bar. There’s also a semi-pro baseball team somewhere in the U.S. selling these drinks at their ballpark for on-site consumption. I have my own opinions on the hemp industry. In my view, it’s added even more legal confusion to an already complicated cannabis landscape. Right now, we effectively have two industries: the 280E cannabis market and the hemp market, each governed by different levels of government and regulations. And with the possibility of a Schedule 3 industry on the horizon, we could soon have three separate industries for the same plant, all controlled by different entities. The federal government has made it clear that anything not classified as “medical” or federally approved will remain Schedule 1 activity. While I acknowledge that the hemp industry is underregulated, banning these products isn’t the solution. History shows us that bans rarely help. Instead, underregulated industries should be fixed—introducing clear regulations that prioritize safety and accountability for the public. Going the full ban route and justifying it with “for the children’s safety” rhetoric doesn’t solve the core issues.

Excited to have been published in the Cannabis Business Times! Please read below for the Goodwin cannabis team’s thoughts on the increase of hemp-derived delta-9 THC products and the different regulatory regimes states have been implementing. #cannabis #hemp #cannabislaw #hemplaw