SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed a bill into law that regulates the market of so-called intoxicating hemp beverages and products labeled delta-8 THC and bans sales to anyone under the age of 21.
Lawmakers passed the legislation because they said too many gas stations and convenience stores were selling these products to children.
Under the law, all delta-8 sales will be banned within 30 days unless a retailer is approved by cannabis regulators.
The governor said in a statement, “There recently has been a proliferation of products that meet the legal definition of ‘hemp’ due to their low concentration of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (‘THC’) but that are intoxicating because of the presence of other forms of THC — such as delta-8 and delta-10 — often at artificially increased levels. These products are sold outside of the regulated market for cannabis even though they can have similar effects, may contain harmful chemicals and other contaminants, and often are sold without appropriate testing and labeling. Too frequently, these products are readily available to minors.”
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Murphy said late amendments to the bill created some loopholes, and he looks forward to working with lawmakers to resolve any remaining issues to ensure no business gets a competitive advantage from a lack of regulation.