International
US: California Governor Gavin Newsom bans hemp derivatives. “This is catastrophic for patients,” warns pediatrician Bonni Goldstein
It’s a huge step backward in the history of cannabis in California, and it’s sparking outrage from the community and industry. Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an emergency ban on hemp-derived THC products in California, immediately halting their sale statewide.
The Office of Administrative Law gave the green light to controversial regulations on Monday, banning a wide range of hemp products containing trace levels of THC, including CBD beverages and medicinal oils. Pediatrician Bonni Goldstein told CannaReporter® that this is “a serious mistake with dangerous consequences,” as many patients rely on these products for serious health conditions such as epilepsy and cancer.
Governor concerned about youth access to “intoxicating THC hemp products”
Under the new emergency rules, retailers are no longer allowed to sell hemp products that contain THC, even at trace levels of 0,3%. The ban also affects CBD products, which, while not intoxicating, are widely used for medicinal purposes. The new rules went into effect immediately and have already been enforced statewide, following the release of a regulatory document obtained by the SFGATE.
Governor Newsom has defended the ban, citing concerns that the lax regulations allowed minors to have “access to intoxicating THC-containing hemp products.” Earlier this month, the Newsom administration moved to expedite the ban through emergency rules, arguing that it was necessary to protect public safety.
However, the hemp industry criticized the move, accusing the administration of misusing the emergency process and warning that the ban could seriously affect patients who rely on hemp for medical treatment. Pediatrician Bonni Goldstein even issued a petition, about three months ago, to prevent these measures from coming into force and temporarily succeeded, but now the decision has been reversed.
California pediatrician Bonni Goldstein with one of her patients
The Administrative Law Office sided with the governor, describing the situation as an “emergency” in the approval of the regulation, which must remain in force until at least March 25, 2025.
Newsom ignored 'urgent pleas from parents': 'This is catastrophic for patients'
Speaking exclusively to CannaReporter®, California pediatrician Bonni Goldstein was outraged by yesterday’s ban: “Governor Newsom’s decision to ban naturally occurring, federally legal hemp is a serious mistake with dangerous consequences. By conflating natural, non-harmful, CBD-dominant hemp with intoxicating, synthetically produced cannabinoids, he is putting the health and well-being of patients at risk. While other states have wisely made exceptions for these safe and effective hemp products, Newsom has ignored the urgent pleas of parents whose children depend on them for survival. For these families, this ban is devastating. What can they do now that the medicine their children have relied on for years is suddenly illegal? Even more troubling, these essential hemp products are not available at cannabis dispensaries, which focus on adult-use products. This is catastrophic for patients who cannot simply switch to alternatives,” lamented the doctor, who has been treating patients and treating them with cannabinoids for more than 15 years in the Los Angeles area.
The decision sparked backlash across the medical cannabis community. Patients and their families, concerned about losing access to essential hemp products, began stockpiling their medications.
A Californian caregiver told the WhatsApp group “EmpowHer,” which has more than 700 women involved in cannabis and hemp from around the world: “The CBD, CBG and CBDV oils that keep my husband seizure-free are now illegal. Millions of people rely on full-spectrum products. These facts are backed by science. We need some THC for CBD to work properly,” she said.
Another patient added: “What a joke! It doesn’t work without THC, anyone who knows science knows that. This is destroying an entire industry in one day. Good luck to the state making any money. I hope it gets passed at the federal level to undo these measures in California.”
The US Hemp Roundtable has already vowed to challenge the ban in court. The organization has voiced strong opposition to Newsom’s emergency rules and has indicated that it will file a lawsuit to overturn the decision.
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[Disclaimer: Please note that this text was originally written in Portuguese and is translated into English and other languages using an automatic translator. Some words may differ from the original and typos or errors may occur in other languages.]____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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With a degree in Journalism from the University of Coimbra, Laura Ramos has a postgraduate degree in Photography and has been a Journalist since 1998. Winner of the Business of Cannabis Awards in the category "Journalist of the Year 2024", Laura was a correspondent for Jornal de Notícias in Rome, Italy, and Press Officer in the Office of the Minister of Education of the 21st Portuguese Government. She has an international certification in Permaculture (PDC) and created the street-art photography archive “Say What? Lisbon” @saywhatlisbon. Co-founder and Editor of CannaReporter® and coordinator of PTMC - Portugal Medical Cannabis, Laura directed the documentary “Pacientes” and was part of the steering group of the first Postgraduate Course in GxP's for Medicinal Cannabis in Portugal, in partnership with the Military Laboratory and the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon.
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