Hemp Sales Impacted by State’s New Pot Law

Products made with hemp, or derived from hemp, with any drug concentration may no longer be sold as of July 1 when Connecticut’s new marijuana legalization law takes effect.

The state Department of Consumer Protection issued the warning, prohibiting the sale of products that contain any level of tetrahydrocannabinol concentration, including delta-7, delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10.

Delta-8 is known to have psychoactive effects, according to DCP.

Under the state’s new marijuana law, any hemp product with a total THC concentration that exceeds 0.3% on a dry weight basis can only be sold by a licensed cannabis retailer or a medical marijuana dispensary.

Applications to become a licensed retailer are not yet available, DCP commissioner Michelle Seagull said.

Loophole

“This change stops the exploitation of a loophole in the federal hemp act that resulted in individuals selling unregulated products on the retail market with high delta-8 concentrations that have intoxicating effects,” Seagull said in a statement.

“Prior to this change, entities were able to sell products in the normal retail market without having to adhere to any testing, packaging, or labeling standards, including childproof packaging standards or product restrictions prohibiting forms that appeal to children.”

Seagull said that by creating a regulated cannabis market, the state can ensure consumers know exactly what they are buying and prevent children from having access.

Businesses offering these types of products can no longer sell them if they do not hold a cannabis license and should dispose of them before July 1.

“This change will ensure that hemp products that contain any type of THC that exceeds 0.3% of dry weight will now be regulated,” she said.

Persons or businesses offering these types of products can no longer sell them if they do not hold a cannabis license and should dispose of them before July 1, Seagull said.

Connecticut is one of at least 15 other states that have moved to restrict or ban the sale of products containing delta-8.

For more information on the new marijuana law’s impact on businesses, email the Consumer Protection Department.