“California ABC agents have been working consistently to see that businesses are in compliance with the regulations banning intoxicating hemp products in stores.  This is in addition to their law enforcement duties enforcing alcoholic beverage and state laws as California peace officers.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

SACRAMENTO – On May 8, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that businesses throughout California continue to follow the state’s rules that prohibit the sale of hemp products that contain intoxicating cannabinoids.

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has seen 99.7% compliance among business licensees this so far this year.

Since September 2024, ABC agents have visited 11,445 businesses and removed 7,151 illegal products from shelves at 148 locations. On September 6, 2024, Governor Newsom announced emergency regulations to protect Californians, especially youth, from the adverse health effects of dangerous hemp products.

“We are doing our part to ensure intoxicating hemp products are out of the reach of vulnerable groups like children. We must always put the safety of Californians first,” said Governor Newsom

Adopted by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the emergency regulations prohibit the marketing, offering for sale, or selling of industrial hemp food, beverages, and dietary products that contain THC or other intoxicating cannabinoids.

“Our licensees have overwhelmingly complied with the regulation,” said 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.”

The regulations also ban sales to people under 21. Businesses that fail to follow the law face various consequences, including criminal penalties and loss of license. ABC will continue to visit licensed locations throughout the state to enforce the new regulations and ensure illegal products are not being sold.

State regulators, including ABC, CDPH, the Department of Cannabis Control, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, and state and local law enforcement officials, enforce these requirements.