Connecticut Cracks Down on Hemp-Derived THC-Infused Beverages

A new law will now limit the sale of the popular alcohol alternatives to state-licensed liquor stores and cannabis retail outlets.

As the political map of Europe and several other Western democracies begins a radical transformation, with citizens of the UK and France voting to move their governments decidedly to the left of the political spectrum, America remains mired in the same tired, worn-out, and frustrating status quo of “who’s mentally deteriorating and out-of-touch” candidate is the least terrible to select.

While voters in England, France, and other economically and socially beleaguered European nations organized, rallied and forced their respective governments to address the dire needs of their struggling populations, American voters were forced to endure one of the most embarrassing and disheartening Presidential debates in this country’s long and storied political history.

However, despite the cringe-worthy 90+ minutes of watching two octagenarians argue over the country’s current pitiful state of affairs and the inevitable carnival that awaits as the two parties prepare for their nominating conventions, Americans will still have to choose a new head of state this November. So, regardless of how painful it may be to watch, one of the two Boomer candidates will win.

Like every election, this one is being dubbed “The Most Important Election in American History.” However, unlike all previous electoral battles, this Election Day could be a tipping point for our still young and restless Republic.

One issue either man will have to confront once they take office for their second term is what to do with cannabis and hemp. While that topic may not be as important and pressing as the economy, Gaza, Ukraine, the noticeably warming and meteorologically unstable climate, abortion, and a host of other galvanizing and polarizing issues, how the federal government and state governments choose to handle hemp and cannabis will be vital to both industries long-term survival and success.

Over the past year, with the FDA and Congress seemingly unwilling to establish and enforce meaningful regulations and guidelines, particularly for hemp, which congressional lawmakers legalized via the 2018 Farm Bill, the job of managing the fast-growing and, at times, unwieldy hemp market sector has fallen to state officials, with varying results.

Several states have chosen to enforce severe restrictions and, in some cases, outright bans on intoxicating hemp derivatives (IHDs), like the enigmatic and misunderstood delta-8 THC (North Carolina, California, Massachusetts). Others have gone in a decidedly different direction, choosing common-sense regulations to monitor hemp-based products while helping maintain the economic viability of their lucrative hemp industries (Minnesota, Kentucky, Texas).

One state that recently enacted a new law designed to rein in its hemp product market sector is Connecticut. According to numerous local and national media outlets, part of a new measure (House Bill 5150) signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont in May will now restrict the sale of hemp-derived THC-infused beverages to state-licensed liquor stores and retail cannabis dispensaries.

The statute, which went into effect July 1, also bans the sale of IHD products in gas stations and convenience stores. A press release from the state’s Department of Consumer Protection stipulates that the new law will mandate:

• The sale of THC-infused beverages at marijuana retailers and “package stores” exclusively.

• A ban on selling these items elsewhere

• Beverages contain 3 milligrams or less of THC per 12-ounce container.

• Packaging, labeling, and testing standards.

“The team at the Department of Consumer Protection has worked hard to quickly implement the provisions of this new law passed by the legislature and communicate those changes to affected businesses,” the agency’s commissioner, Bryan Cafferelli, said in a statement.

"The team at the Department of Consumer Protection has worked hard to quickly implement the provisions of this new law passed by the legislature and communicate those changes to affected businesses."

- Bryan Cafferelli, Commissioner of the Dept. of Consumer Protection

Similar to laws passed in other states, Connecticut’s approach is much more hardline in addressing the proliferation of hemp-based products throughout the state. Citing public health concerns and the targeting of underage consumers, legislators took the path of least resistance in passing the new law. 

While it may provide a short-term political win for lawmakers, it is most likely a result of Big Cannabis’ lobbying effort in the ongoing national civil war between marijuana and hemp interests. 

And, like with many other sledgehammer-esque pieces of hemp-restricting legislation, the statute will only result in lost jobs, closed businesses, and more economic turmoil for a state and nation already neck-deep in problems too numerous to list and increasingly complex to solve.