Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes THC product regulations, citing concerns about accessibility to children

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing emergency legislation to protect children from dangerous THC products.

The governor says they are popping up in grocery and convenience stores across the state, and he wants to prevent them from being sold outside of pharmacies.

“We want these products off the shelves. We want retailers, grocery stores, to take them off the shelves themselves today,” Gov. Newsom said.

Officials say the new rules are primarily aimed at protecting children from the potentially harmful health effects of intoxicating cannabis products.

As Newsom held up several cans, he said, “I don’t know how you know or realize it’s a cannabis product. It says it’s Tune Up soda. And then you barely notice there’s THC in it. It’s a disgrace.”

And it’s not just THC – stricter regulations will expand the number of psychoactive cannabinoids that can be untraceable and sold outside of retail outlets.

“The CDPH science-based determination added another 30 that fall into that undetectable sense. So we’re not just saying, ‘Same old, same old cannabinoids,’” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, California Secretary of Health and Human Services.

As for public opinion, ABC7 spoke with people outside a Mill Valley grocery store about the potential regulations.

“I think THC can be very beneficial to people, but when it comes to children having access to it, I think it could be potentially controversial,” said Mill Valley resident Isabelle Ellingson.

April Abbott, Mill Valley resident: “And THC, I didn’t know that, but it definitely needs to 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…

“It’s my baby, so I don’t have human children, but I certainly wouldn’t want my kids accidentally ingesting THC,” said Susan Hopp, a Mill Valley resident.

But on Friday the governor faced resistance from industry representatives.

The US Hemp Roundtable said it is exploring legal options. They issued a statement saying, in part:

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

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

“We don’t want to kill the cannabis industry. We want the industry to be regulated. It’s not designed to produce intoxicating products,” the governor said.

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

If this happens, the regulations will take effect immediately.

This means stores will have to remove from sale all edibles containing any amount of THC.