Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents across the state more than doubled their efforts this past week to ensure ABC-licensed locations comply with recent California Department of Public Health emergency regulations aimed at protecting Californians from potentially dangerous hemp products.
In ABC’s biggest sweep yet, agents visited 882 locations across the state. Forty-two locations – fewer than five percent of those visited – were out of compliance. ABC agents seized 1,716 individual illegal products at those locations. Since operations began, ABC agents have visited 1,555 licensed locations. In total, 60 locations were out of compliance, resulting in the seizure of 3,338 illegal products.
“Our ABC agents have done an outstanding job of removing these dangerous products from store shelves,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “Removing these illegal products, which are often marketed to underage customers, is a top priority for ABC and our partners across state government. We appreciate the majority of our licensees who are abiding by the new regulation and removing these products themselves.”
The regulations, which were adopted by the California Department of Public Health and published by the Department on Sept. 24, prohibit the marketing, offering for sale, or sale of industrial hemp products intended for human use (including food, beverages, and dietary supplements) that contain a detectable level of total THC or other intoxicating cannabinoids.
ABC informed licensees that they may not carry, market, or sell products that do not comply with the regulations. Businesses that fail to follow the law could face legal or administrative discipline, including 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. Licensees should be familiar with the new regulations and understand how to comply. More information is available at California Department of Public Health Emergency Regulation Concerning Hemp Products. Anyone interested in filing a complaint concerning illegal hemp products at an ABC-licensed location can visit ABC’s website.
The most recent violations were found at locations across the state, including area cities Modesto and Manteca.
