An Act to amend 94.55 (1); to create 94.55 (1m) and 94.56 of the statutes; Relating to: prohibiting individuals under age 21 from accessing intoxicating hemp products and providing a penalty. (FE)
Impact
This bill will amend existing statutes to establish a clear legal framework for the marketing and sale of intoxicating hemp products, thereby enhancing protections for youth. It will introduce stringent penalties for selling or providing these products to individuals under 21, including civil forfeitures and potential imprisonment for repeated offenses. Such legal measures signify Wisconsin's commitment to controlling the distribution of hemp and aligning state law with broader public health objectives.
Summary
Assembly Bill 680 proposes significant changes to the regulation of hemp products in Wisconsin, specifically targeting intoxicating hemp products. The bill defines several key terms, including 'intoxicating cannabinoid' and 'intoxicating hemp product', and restricts access to these products for individuals under the age of 21. With no previous age restrictions under current law, this bill marks a decisive shift intended to protect minors from access to intoxicating hemp products, which include cannabinoids like delta-8 and delta-9-THC that can induce intoxication.
Contention
Opponents of the bill may argue that imposing age restrictions could hinder the hemp industry’s growth and limit access for adults who use these products for therapeutic purposes. Additionally, concerns may arise about the effectiveness of enforcement, particularly in distinguishing between legal hemp products and those that fall under the newly defined categories. The balance between safeguarding public health and fostering a burgeoning hemp market is likely to be a topic of ongoing debate among legislators and the public alike.
Regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoid products, renaming the Division of Alcohol Beverages as the Division of Intoxicating Products, creating an occupational tax on hemp-derived cannabinoid products, alcohol beverage warehouses and production arrangements, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)
Regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoid products, renaming the Division of Alcohol Beverages as the Division of Intoxicating Products, creating an occupational tax on hemp-derived cannabinoid products, alcohol beverage warehouses and production arrangements, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)
Relating to the production and regulation of hemp; providing an administrative penalty; requiring a permit to conduct certain research involving hemp; authorizing a fee; creating a criminal offense.
Prohibiting the transfer of hemp-derived cannabinoid products to any person under the age of 21, establishing packaging and labeling requirements for such products and amending the definition of industrial hemp and hemp products.
In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, further provid ing for general powers of board, for restrictions on members of the board and certain employees of Commonwealth, for enforcement and for biennial reports; in licenses and regulations, liquor, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, further providing for malt and brewed beverages manufacturers', distributors' and importing distributors' licenses, for number and kinds of licenses allowed same licensee, for responsible alcohol management, for surrender of restaurant, eating place retail dispenser, hotel, club, catering club, importing distributor and distributor license for benefit of licensee, for unlawful acts relative to malt or brewed beverages and licensees and for liability of licensees; providing for hemp-derived cannabinoid beverages; establishing the Local Hemp Sharing Fund; and imposing penalties.