Golden State Today

SACRAMENTO – California Governor Gavin Newsom has directed the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to issue notices regarding the sale and distribution of illegal hemp products. This action aims to ensure compliance with existing laws to protect Californians, especially young people, from mislabeled and potentially harmful hemp-infused products.

"The products mal etiquetados y engañosos no deben estar en el mercado – especialmente cuando ponen en riesgo la salud y la seguridad de nuestros hijos," said Governor Newsom. "Hoy, el estado está tomando medidas para proteger a los californianos, especialmente a los niños, entretanto trabajamos para cerrar los resquicios jurídicos y aumentar la aplicación de la ley para evitar que los niños tengan el acceso a productos de cáñamo (hemp) y cannabis."

The notices issued by the CDPH and ABC come after a series of highly intoxicating hemp beverages were observed in retail establishments across the state, raising concerns about their accessibility to young Californians. Hemp products, regulated separately from the legal cannabis market, must adhere to consumer safety laws, including strict labeling requirements. Distributing or selling products that do not meet these requirements is illegal and may result in the loss of a relevant license.

The CDPH notice to Hemp Manufacturers and Distributors emphasizes the need for license holders to comply with all laws affecting their commercial operations and to handle their licensed businesses legally. Failure to fully comply with labeling requirements for industrial hemp products renders them mislabeled and therefore illegal.

The ABC notice to Licensees highlights the state's awareness of the increasing prevalence of potentially illegal hemp products in the market. License holders selling hemp products risk being held accountable if they distribute illegal hemp products. Manufacturers are specifically prohibited from advertising to children, so packaging or products that could be appealing to children must be handled with special caution.

The Governor's action underscores the importance of protecting California's youth from exposure to intoxicating products through illegal hemp merchandise. The state's proactive measures serve as a crucial step in preventing access to harmful products for young Californians.

The Newsom Administration is actively collaborating with the California Legislature to further close legal loopholes and enhance law enforcement to safeguard all minors and young people in California.