Los Angeles, CA – (October 17) – Ian Rassman, Founder and CEO of Rassman Payments, provides an important update on California’s new emergency regulations regarding hemp THCA products. I'm excited to share it. These regulations are aimed at protecting children and consumers from hemp products containing potentially harmful THC and represent a major change for retailers, manufacturers, and consumers in the hemp and cannabis space.
The new regulations, announced by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2024, prohibit the retail sale of hemp-derived foods, beverages, and edible hemp THCA products. This change comes in response to an increase in health incidents related to intoxication of hemp products, particularly among children and teens. As the hemp industry continues to evolve, companies must adapt to these new standards to remain compliant with state laws.
Ian Rathman’s key points regarding the new hemp THCA regulations:
Prohibition of hemp THC products:
“Effective immediately, retailers must remove from their shelves hemp products that contain detectable levels of THC or other intoxicating cannabinoids,” Rathman said. “If these products are intended for human consumption, they are no longer illegal to sell in California, and businesses must take swift action to comply.”For Children and Youth New safety measures:
This emergency regulation, proposed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), was developed in response to growing concerns about the effects of intoxicating cannabis products on youth. Rathman emphasized the importance of protecting young people, saying, “Studies show that THC can impair cognitive function, memory, and decision-making abilities, especially in the developing brain. These regulations are essential to ensure the safety of children and adolescents.''Product Restrictions and Packaging Restrictions:
Under the new rules, sales of hemp THCA products will be limited to individuals over the age of 21. Additionally, hemp-derived foods, beverages, and nutritional products must be limited to a maximum of five servings per package. “These packaging restrictions are an important step to reduce the risk of overconsumption, especially among more vulnerable consumers,” said Rathman. What the regulation does not affect:
“It is important for businesses and consumers to understand that these regulations do not apply to all hemp or cannabis products,” Rathman said. “Hemp-derived CBD products that do not contain detectable THC or other intoxicating cannabinoids can still be sold. Additionally, the sale of cannabis products containing both CBD and THC is subject to appropriate safety measures and testing. It will continue at licensed pharmacies where it is implemented.”
Why these hemp THCA regulations are important:
California has been a pioneer in cannabis regulation, starting with the legalization of medical marijuana in 1996 and approval for recreational use in 2016. However, the lack of strict oversight of intoxicating cannabis products allowed manufacturers to exploit the system to produce cannabis products. Using THC with a lack of safety measures in cannabis products.
“These new regulations close that loophole,” Rathman explained. “By banning hemp products containing THC from general retail stores, the state will protect consumers and ensure that children are not exposed to potentially dangerous intoxicants without proper regulatory oversight. ”
How Rathman Payments can support businesses during this transition:
As California enacts these emergency regulations, businesses must adapt quickly to avoid penalties and remain compliant. Rassman Payments, a leader in payment processing for high-risk industries such as hemp and cannabis, stands ready to help businesses navigate these regulatory changes.
“Our expertise in high-risk markets allows Rathman Payments to provide the secure and compliant payment processing solutions businesses need in light of these new regulations,” said Rathman. “Whether you want to remove prohibited products from shelves or expand your inventory of compliant products, we will support you every step of the way.”
To learn more about how Rassman Payments can help your business stay compliant with California's cannabis THCA regulations, please visit www.Rassman.com or contact us using the information below.
