US State News

New Jersey Assembly passed bill amended to expand extensively in defining which products, or ingredients, would be subject to a ban on sales to consumers younger than 18.

California authorities say predominance of retailers licensed to sell hemp are compliant with ban published effective on 3 October through emergency regulation. But hemp industry’s contesting the regulation in state court, arguing state authorities inappropriately used emergency action to change state law on hemp products legislature passed in 2021.

Congress will be on Capitol Hill briefly after 5 November elections before current session ends. It hasn’t prioritized re-authorizing 2018 farm bill, which de-scheduled hemp as a controlled substance. Until changes come through farm bill re-authorization or other legislation, federal definition of lawful hemp will remain any part of the cannabis plant containing no more than 0.3% concentration of delta-9 THC.

Council for Responsible Nutrition contends New Jersey bill, which Assembly Health Committee amended with substantial language to make restrictions more stringent on 23 September, is targeted as inaccurately as restrictions in New York effective in April.

Joint letter on scheduling for proceedings before a trial CRN’s attorneys and state AG’s office recently submitted in New York federal court includes, among other information, a statement that both the trade group and the state anticipate a settlement could be reached.

California Senate Appropriations Committee suspends consideration of bill for current session after it and Judiciary Committee voted to recommend passing the bill earlier in session. Legislative sessions continue in Massachusetts and New Jersey with bills for similar restrictions.

“Science is pretty evident that there's no connection between supplement use and eating disorders,” says NPA’s Kyle Turk. “CRN continues to raise fundamental concerns about what benefit the bill offers,” says CRN’s Steve Mister.

CRN gained approval of motion for expedited briefing when it notified Second Circuit it would appeal District Court for Southern New York’s ruling against its motion for preliminary injunction against state law prohibiting sales to minors of supplements and OTC drugs containing ingredients labeled or promoted for weight loss and bodybuilding.

Senate committee amends bill to lower to $250 the largest civil penalty for violations; exempt retail clerks from “disciplinary action or discharge by the retail establishment” related to violations; and make changes to state’s Health and Safety Code effective in January 2026.

Ag committee members in 23 May markup likely to broach topic of delta-9 THC limit for hemp. Since hemp was de-scheduled in 2018, cannabinoids other than delta-9 but with psychoactive effects have become leading sales drivers. “Most states now have legal marijuana programs, they just don't know it,” says cannabis industry attorney.