Relating To Industrial Hemp Derived Products.
This legislation aims to clarify the legal status of hemp and hemp-derived products within the state of Hawaii. By implementing regulations around product labeling, safety standards, and prohibiting health-related claims by manufacturers, SB252 addresses the current regulatory ambiguity that has allowed CBD products to be sold with little control or oversight. Following the Food and Drug Administration’s guidance that CBD products are technically considered adulterated food, this bill provides a framework allowing Hawaii to define and regulate the sale of these products effectively.
Senate Bill 252 seeks to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for products derived from industrial hemp, specifically those containing cannabidiol (CBD). The bill recognizes the changes in federal legislation, particularly the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which legalized the sale of hemp-derived products that contain less than 0.3% THC. This legal backdrop sets the stage for Hawaii to embrace hemp-derived products more robustly, ensuring both consumer safety and state compliance with broader agricultural policies.
One notable point of contention arises from the prohibition against manufacturers making any unsubstantiated health claims related to hemp-derived products. This aspect of the bill could affect the marketing strategies of many businesses that currently rely on health benefits associated with CBD to attract customers. Proponents argue that it is essential for consumer safety and public health protection, while critics may see it as an obstacle to businesses operating within the evolving hemp market. Furthermore, the bill differentiates between products that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA and those that must be regulated more stringently, which could lead to varying interpretations and implementation challenges across the industry.