Legislator proposes new bill to regulate intoxicating hemp products in California

The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee convened on July 7, 2025, to discuss critical legislation concerning cannabis, cannabinoids, and industrial hemp. The meeting focused on the need for enhanced regulation in the hemp industry, particularly in light of the growing market for intoxicating hemp products.

The discussion was led by a committee member who highlighted the complexities surrounding hemp regulation, stemming from the 2018 Farm Bill, which left the industry largely unregulated. The member referenced previous legislation, Assembly Bill 45, which established stringent regulations for hemp products, particularly non-intoxicating ones like CBD.

The proposed bill aims to address three main issues. First, it seeks to expand enforcement capabilities to better control the sale and distribution of illegal hemp products, thereby providing state agencies and local governments with necessary tools to protect minors from synthetic products. Second, the bill intends to close existing loopholes that currently allow the sale of intoxicating hemp products, explicitly banning all synthetic THC. Lastly, it proposes to integrate hemp into the legal cannabis supply chain, ensuring that all products containing any level of THC are subject to the same registration, regulation, and taxation as cannabis products. This integration is expected to enhance tax revenue through the cannabis excise tax.

The committee member emphasized the importance of collaboration with stakeholders and state agencies to effectively implement these regulatory changes. The meeting underscored the ongoing efforts to ensure that the hemp market operates within a framework that prioritizes public safety and compliance.