“California ABC agents work to protect the public from harm and to educate ABC licensees, particularly as it applies to these new regulations.  We are appreciative of their illegal hemp product check and assisting in the removal of these products from store shelves.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

Sacramento – On October 9, 2024, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced it has begun enforcement efforts of California’s new hemp regulations by visiting licensed locations across the state to confirm establishments are in compliance and illegal hemp products are off shelves.

The regulations, which were published by the California Department of Public Health on September 24, prohibit the marketing, offering for sale, or sale of industrial hemp products intended for human use (including food, beverages, and dietary supplements) that contain a detectable level of total THC or other intoxicating cannabinoids.

During the first weekend of October, ABC agents visited 383 ABC-licensed locations throughout California to ensure prohibited items were not available for sale. Violations discovered by agents were found at businesses in:

• Rocklin,
• Azusa,
• Temecula,
• Murrieta,
• La Mesa,
• North Hollywood,
• Los Angeles,
• Clayton,
• Concord,
• Hanford,
• and Corte Madera.

Agents seized more than 700 illegal products from several licensees, removing them from shelves and preventing them from being sold.

ABC informed licensees that they may not carry, market, or sell products that do not comply with the regulations. Businesses that fail to follow the law could face legal or administrative discipline, including loss of license.

The enforcement efforts reflect ABC’s education-first approach. Since CDPH posted the emergency regulations on September 6, ABC has proactively reached out to inform licensees of the change. In addition to the industry advisory, this included notifying licensees on ABC’s listserv about the regulations via email, and fielding calls from licensees across the state. On October 3, ABC published the approved regulations and sent a follow-up e-mail to licensees informing them about the regulations in effect.

“ABC’s enforcement sweep demonstrated overwhelming compliance among licensees statewide,” ABC Director Joseph McCullough said. “Agents visited nearly 400 licensed establishments across California and 97 percent were in compliance with the new regulations. While these numbers are promising, 100 percent compliance is our goal.”

Brand Name Products Seized

• Cantrip Root Beer: 10MG THC
• Cann Grapefruit Rosemary 2mg THC 4mg CBD
• Cann 5 mg THC
• Cheech & Chong 5mg THC
• Sparkling Dope 5mg THC
• Squared 5mg THC
• Terpsey Gummy Products
• Terpsey THC Syrup
• TBD (Intense) 25mg THC
• TBD (High) 10mg THC
• TBD 5mg THC
• Made Hop the Wave 5mg THC
• Elevado 5mg THC
• Mary Jones 5mg THC