SOURCE: MMJ Daily
EXCERPT:
As a solution, the report states that to restore order to the market and protect consumers, all THC-containing products should be regulated under California's existing cannabis framework. This would ensure consumer safety, enforce tax compliance, and uphold the intent of the state's cannabis laws.
"When the hemp industry advocated for AB 45 in 2021, they framed it as a law for "rope, not dope," claiming the focus was on CBD wellness products rather than intoxicants. However, the industry's rapid evolution has shattered this narrative. Today's "hemp" market is not about wellness — it is about selling synthetic cannabis under a different name."
According to the report, proponents of the hemp industry are lobbying to overturn California's emergency regulations banning THC and synthetics in hemp products. "They argue for exceptions for "full-spectrum" wellness products with "a touch of therapeutic THC" or "low-dose" THC beverages. But given the industry's track record, such claims demand deep skepticism. The unregulated hemp market presents a far greater risk to public health than California's regulated cannabis industry."
Why the regulated cannabis market matters
While the hemp market remains chaotic, California's cannabis regulations provide essential consumer protections. The state's framework ensures accountability at every stage, from tracking cannabinoid inputs and outputs to transparency regarding production locations and manufacturing processes. With mechanisms for instant recalls, rigorous third-party testing, strict lab oversight, and a comprehensive seed-to-sale tracking system, California's regulations ensure that only safe, accurately labeled products reach consumers.
"The regulated cannabis system also provides vital protections absent in the hemp market. These include tax compliance, medical oversight for high-dose products, clear packaging and labeling standards, robust age restrictions, and sensible THC caps. The accountability within this system fosters consumer and community trust, something entirely lacking in the unregulated hemp market," the report says.
"Beyond public health, California's cannabis industry supports strong labor protections and well-paying union jobs. In contrast, many hemp companies manufacture their products out of state or import inputs from China, bypassing labor standards, evading state and local taxes, and contributing nothing to California's economy."
The regulated cannabis market is not just a business, it is a critical safeguard for public health.
"This system to ensure transparency, safety, and accountability. Allowing counterfeit THC products to masquerade as "hemp" undermines that framework. Keeping all THC products within California's cannabis regulations is not just good policy, it is essential for public health and consumer trust," the report concludes.
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