A recent inspection of hemp product retailers and manufacturers in Florida saw thousands of products removed from sale.
Back in April this year and then again in June, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) forewarned hemp food establishments on its planned enforcement of amendments to the rule that governs hemp and hemp extract intended for human consumption in the state.
Among the updates to the rule were the banning of certain specified color additives, enhanced labeling requirements, restrictions on marketing and advertising, and mandatory child resistant packaging.
In an initiative named “Operation Safe Summer” that kicked off in late June, the first week of the FDACS action resulted in nearly 11,000 packages of hemp products removed from shelves for infringements of child-protection standards for packaging, labeling, and marketing.
Commenting on the operation, Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson said:
“We will not tire in our commitment to cleaning up this industry, holding violators accountable, and sending a clear message: if you refuse to follow the law, you won’t be doing business in Florida.”
This isn’t the first related action in the state. Since July 1, 2023, FDACS has identified more than 726,000 packages of hemp products it says were targeting children. The largest single action to date was a sweep in July and August 2023, when 700 businesses across all Florida counties uncovered more than 83,000 packages of hemp-extract products that could appeal to children.
While some vendors and manufacturers still aren’t getting the message, the FDACS actions will continue.
““We have drawn a hard line in Florida when it comes to protecting our children from dangerous and deceptive hemp products,” said Commissioner Simpson.
In other cannabis news out of the state, Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed SB 2514 into law, suspending the registrations of medical cannabis patients and caregivers convicted of trafficking in the sale, manufacture, or delivery of, or possession with intent to sell of a controlled substance.
It’s not clear how many of the 900,000 Floridians registered in the state’s medical cannabis access program will be impacted by the new rule. Those affected are able to reapply once the terms of their conviction have been completed.
Meanwhile, a campaign seeking to put a marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s 2026 ballot is moving along, having collected close to 70 percent of the required signatures. The petition has been organized by Smart And Safe Florida.
Legalising recreational marijuana use in Florida was on the ballot last year and while it achieved a majority of yes votes (~55.89%), a 60% supermajority was required.
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