Gov. Gavin Newsom Proposes Regulation of THC Products Over Concerns About Child Accessibility

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Governor Gavin Newsom proposes emergency regulations to protect children from dangerous THC products.

The governor says they are appearing in grocery stores and convenience stores across the state and wants to prevent them from being sold outside of dispensaries.

“We want these products off the shelves. We want retailers and grocers to pull them themselves today,” Governor Newsom said.

Authorities say the new rules are aimed in part at protecting children from the potentially harmful health effects of hemp-based intoxicants.

As Newsom holds up several cans, he said, “I don’t know how you know or realize that this is a hemp product. It says ‘Tune Up.’ And then you can barely tell there’s any THC in it. It’s a disgrace.”

And it’s not just THC: The stricter regulations would increase the number of psychoactive cannabinoids that will have to be undetectable in order to be sold outside of dispensaries.

“CDPH’s science-based decisions have added 30 more cannabinoids that fall into this undetectable category, so we’re not just saying ‘the same cannabinoids,’” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s Secretary of Health and Human Services.

And as for the public’s perspective, ABC7 spoke with people outside a Mill Valley grocery store about the potential regulations.

“I think THC can be really beneficial for people, but as far as kids getting their hands on it, I think it could be potentially controversial,” said Mill Valley resident Isabelle Ellingson.

April Abbott, Mill Valley resident: “And THC, I wasn’t aware of it, but it absolutely must be regulated and monitored.”

Tara Campbell:“Do you think it should be in stores, like grocery stores?”

Abbott:”Absolutely not. Absolutely not. Why?”

And from parents and grandparents, to pet owners…

“He’s my child, so I don’t have any human children, but I certainly wouldn’t want my children to accidentally consume THC,” said Mill Valley resident Susan Hopp.

But the governor faced some opposition from industry on Friday.

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable said it is exploring legal options. It issued a statement that reads, in part:

“Newsom has decided to unilaterally destroy countless small businesses and farmers across California. We will not let this go on without a fight.”

The governor, however, says that this is not his goal.

“We don’t want to kill the hemp industry. We want the industry to be regulated. It wasn’t designed for intoxicants,” the governor said.

The proposed regulations still require approval from the California Office of Administrative Law.

If this happens, the rules will come into effect immediately.

This means that stores will have to remove all consumable products containing any level of THC.