California Integrates Adult-Use Cannabis and Hemp Markets

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed a bill to integrate products containing hemp-derived THC into the state’s regulated cannabis industry. The new law comes about a year after the state adopted emergency regulations banning the sale of hemp THC products.

Proposed by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Assembly Bill 8 will regulate all intoxicating cannabinoid products under the state’s existing cannabis framework. 

“Our first job is to protect our kids and our communities,” Aguiar-Curry said in a statement. “With this bill, we’ll have responsible regulation, increase enforcement, and support struggling legal cannabis businesses against criminal competition.”

“We are continuing to place the safety of every Californian first. For too long, nefarious hemp manufacturers have been exploiting loopholes to make their intoxicating products easily available to our most vulnerable communities – that stops today.” — Newsom, in a press release

The governor’s office also touted the success of the emergency hemp regulations established last year, noting that the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has visited 14,743 businesses since the rules took effect, and agents reported a 99.78% compliance rate among licensees so far this year.