California Businesses are in Near-Total Compliance with Hemp Regulations, Governor States

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A May 8, 2025, news release from California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that business across the state were in near total compliance with the prohibition of the sale of intoxicating hemp products (1). Originally passed in September 2024, the emergency regulations were intended to protect consumers, and especially youth, against the effects of THC, and prohibited hemp products from containing any amount of intoxicating cannabinoids (2). Additionally, the minimum age to purchase hemp products was set to 21 (2). Industry stakeholders had filed a lawsuit on the regulations and a temporary restraining order that was eventually denied (3,4).

“We are doing our part to ensure intoxicating hemp products are out of the reach of vulnerable groups like children,” stated Governor Newsom in the news release (1). “We must always put the safety of Californians first.”

As noted in the press release, California allowed the use of medical cannabis in 1996, the first state to do so, and then recreational use of cannabis in 2016. It also stated that hemp had recently been manufactured to contain THC without the standard safety protocols for typical cannabis products.

The hemp industry regulations are enforced by Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Department of Cannabis Control, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, and both state and local law enforcement officials.

Reportedly, 99.7% percent of businesses are in compliance with the regulations in 2025, according to ABC (1). Failure to comply can result in criminal penalties and loss of license.

“Our licensees have overwhelmingly complied with the regulation,” stated ABC Chief Deputy Director Frank Robles. “On the few occasions when ABC agents found items during inspections, they’ve ensured these harmful products are removed from shelves.”

A November 2024 press release from ABC stated that 97% of the businesses visited were in compliance (3). A page on the ABC website had also been added to document the enforcement actions on a weekly basis. In the week ending on May 4, for example, 218 locations were visited, two violations were recorded, and 57 products were seized (5).

“California ABC agents have been working consistently to see that businesses are in compliance with the regulations banning intoxicating hemp products in stores,” stated California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona in a May 8, 2025, news release (6). “This is in addition to their law enforcement duties enforcing alcoholic beverage and state laws as California peace officers.”

References

1. Governor Gavin Newsom. California businesses in near-universal compliance with prohibition of intoxicating hemp products harmful to youth https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/05/08/california-businesses-in-near-universal-compliance-with-prohibition-of-intoxicating-hemp-products-harmful-to-youth/ (accessed May 9, 2025).
2. Krawiec, S. Governor Newsom issues emergency regulations banning any level of THC from hemp-derived food and beverage products https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/governor-newsom-issues-emergency-regulations-banning-any-level-of-thc-from-hemp-derived-food-and-beverage-products (accessed May 9, 2025).
3. McEvoy, E. California Alcoholic Beverage Control Publishes New Statistics on Illegal Hemp Products Seized https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/california-alcoholic-beverage-control-publishes-new-statistics-on-illegal-hemp-products-seized (accessed May 9, 2025).
4. McEvoy, E. Judge Denies Temporary Restraining Order on CA Hemp Regulations on Intoxicating Hemp Products https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/judge-denies-temporary-restraining-order-on-ca-hemp-regulations-on-intoxicating-hemp-products (accessed May 9, 2025).
5. Alcoholic Beverage Control. Illegal Hemp Enforcement https://www.abc.ca.gov/enforcement/illegal-hemp-enforcement/ (accessed May 9, 2025).
6. California Statewide Law Enforcement Association. Businesses in Near-Compliance with California’s Regulations Banning the Sale of Intoxicating Hemp Products https://cslea.com/2025/05/businesses-in-near-compliance-with-californias-regulations-banning-the-sale-of-intoxicating-hemp-products/ (accessed May 9, 2025).