US State News

Congress will be on Capitol Hill briefly after 5 November elections before current session ends. It hasn’t prioritized re-authorizing 2018 farm bill, which de-scheduled hemp as a controlled substance. Until changes come through farm bill re-authorization or other legislation, federal definition of lawful hemp will remain any part of the cannabis plant containing no more than 0.3% concentration of delta-9 THC.

Council for Responsible Nutrition contends New Jersey bill, which Assembly Health Committee amended with substantial language to make restrictions more stringent on 23 September, is targeted as inaccurately as restrictions in New York effective in April.

Joint letter on scheduling for proceedings before a trial CRN’s attorneys and state AG’s office recently submitted in New York federal court includes, among other information, a statement that both the trade group and the state anticipate a settlement could be reached.

California Senate Appropriations Committee suspends consideration of bill for current session after it and Judiciary Committee voted to recommend passing the bill earlier in session. Legislative sessions continue in Massachusetts and New Jersey with bills for similar restrictions.

“Science is pretty evident that there's no connection between supplement use and eating disorders,” says NPA’s Kyle Turk. “CRN continues to raise fundamental concerns about what benefit the bill offers,” says CRN’s Steve Mister.

CRN gained approval of motion for expedited briefing when it notified Second Circuit it would appeal District Court for Southern New York’s ruling against its motion for preliminary injunction against state law prohibiting sales to minors of supplements and OTC drugs containing ingredients labeled or promoted for weight loss and bodybuilding.

Senate committee amends bill to lower to $250 the largest civil penalty for violations; exempt retail clerks from “disciplinary action or discharge by the retail establishment” related to violations; and make changes to state’s Health and Safety Code effective in January 2026.

Ag committee members in 23 May markup likely to broach topic of delta-9 THC limit for hemp. Since hemp was de-scheduled in 2018, cannabinoids other than delta-9 but with psychoactive effects have become leading sales drivers. “Most states now have legal marijuana programs, they just don't know it,” says cannabis industry attorney.

Court ruling that state’s restrictions “may very well regulate protected speech”’ allows CRN “to move forward on the merits of the case,” says CEO Steve Mister. CRN’s allegations “plausibly support the inference that the [restriction] might very well regulate protected speech,” judge writes.

The regulation “is clear, as is the Court’s order” rejecting CRN’s motion for preliminary injunction against imposition of the regulation, says US district Judge Andrew Carter in order denying the trade group’s request for clarification of New York regulation.