California hemp product retailers told a legislative committee on Monday that a governor-backed plan to restrict hemp-derived cannabinoids and hemp flower would shutter businesses across the state, lead to a loss of jobs and decrease revenue for state and local governments.
The pushback comes as various groups—including marijuana growers and medical patients who say they rely on hemp-derived CBD—raise concerns about the bill, AB 2223, and a package of amendments from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) office. Critics say the plan would fundamentally reshape the state’s cannabis industry and could cause chaos by attempting to fold hemp products into the state’s marijuana supply chain.
Monday’s hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee centered on the fiscal implications of the legislation, not whether or not it’s good policy—something Chairwoman Anna Caballero (D) reminded speakers of on a handful of occasions during the morning.
“I don’t need to hear the ‘good bill’ stuff, because we’re not here on policy,” she said at one point. “We’re here on the money.”
That comment came after representatives of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable and the hemp retailer Sunmed—who both testified in opposition—said that the underlying proposal to more tightly regulate hemp-derived cannabinoids is acceptable to them, but certain
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