California lawmakers have passed sweeping legislation to crack down on hemp-derived THC products, such as delta-8 and delta-10 THC products, tightening oversight of a booming gray market that has drawn mounting scrutiny from health officials and licensed cannabis operators.
The California Senate on Saturday 13 September approved Assembly Bill 8 in a unanimous 73-1 vote, after the Assembly unanimously approved the bill the day before. The text will now be presented to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is expected to sign the measure, which would take effect on January 1, 2028.
The passage of this bill makes California the latest to attempt to restrict the sale of hemp-derived THC products. Since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp for industrial purposes, some manufacturers have exploited a loophole to create compounds similar to adult-use cannabis THC and sell them legally as hemp products.
The bill would bar smoke shops, gas stations, and convenience stores from selling hemp-derived THC products, such as delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC. Instead, these products would be sold as part of California's licensed cannabis supply chain, where they would face strict testing, labelling, and taxation rules.
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