California businesses comply with rules on intoxicating hemp product sales

Governor Gavin Newsome | Facebook Website

Businesses across California are largely adhering to regulations that ban the sale of intoxicating hemp products, Governor Gavin Newsom announced. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) reported a 99.7% compliance rate among business licensees in 2025. Since September 2024, ABC agents have inspected 11,445 businesses and removed 7,151 illegal products from shelves at 148 locations.

Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, "We are doing our part to ensure intoxicating hemp products are out of the reach of vulnerable groups like children. We must always put the safety of Californians first."

The emergency regulations, adopted by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), prohibit marketing or selling industrial hemp food, beverages, and dietary products containing THC or other intoxicating cannabinoids. Frank Robles, ABC Chief Deputy Director, noted that "our licensees have overwhelmingly complied with the regulation," and when violations occur, harmful products are promptly removed.

The regulations also prevent sales to individuals under 21 years old. Businesses that violate these laws may face criminal penalties and loss of their licenses. ABC will continue inspecting licensed locations statewide to enforce compliance and remove illegal products.

In October, a court upheld the enforcement of California's emergency regulations banning THC-containing hemp products deemed harmful to public health.

California has been at the forefront of cannabis regulation since legalizing medicinal use in 1996 and recreational use in 2016. The state's regulatory framework ensures safe business operations and product labeling to protect consumers from contaminants while preventing children's access to cannabis products. Some hemp manufacturers have exploited loopholes to market THC-containing hemp without proper safeguards. These new regulations aim to close those gaps.

Enforcement involves multiple state regulators including ABC, CDPH, the Department of Cannabis Control, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, along with state and local law enforcement officials.