The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday took a step toward banning the sale of intoxicating hemp products in response to concerns about their health effects on children.
If the board gives final approval in two weeks, stores in the county’s unincorporated areas could face penalties of up to $10,000 for selling hemp products with higher than 0.3% of THC, which makes users feel high.
Hemp, unlike marijuana, isn’t a federally controlled substance because Congress reclassified it in 2018. A state ban on the retail sale of hemp food, beverage and dietary products with detectable amounts of THC went into effect two weeks ago. But Sacramento County staff said a local ordinance would allow inspectors to issue penalties and suspend or revoke the business licenses of stores selling intoxicating hemp products.
State regulators responsible for enforcing the statewide ban include the departments of public health, cannabis control, alcoholic beverage control and tax and fee administration. Local officials can also ensure licensed stores comply, according to the California Department of Public Health.
County supervisors on Tuesday approved a first reading of the local ordinance. Supervisor Phil Serna, who represents the board’s central Sacramento District 1, said the proposal would help protect children’s health.
“Having heard from other third parties about just how acutely unhealthy these delta-8, delta-9 synthetic hemp products are, it really impressed on me just how insane it is that there is this loophole to begin with that is permitting even gas stations not just to sell it, but sell these products that are already documented to be marketed to very young people,” Serna said during the meeting.
The unanimous vote on Tuesday came about five months after the Sacramento County Board of Education requested supervisors consider passing restrictions on hemp products. In a resolution, the board said minors could legally buy intoxicating hemp products that look like candy at gas stations and convenience stores near schools.
David Gordon, superintendent of the Sacramento County Office of Education, praised the proposed ordinance. He said the office hasn’t been able to track the impact of the state ban that went into effect two weeks ago, but expects to get information from a local ordinance.
“I think the county is taking a very strong step to propose this ban,” Gordon said in an interview. “It’s perfectly appropriate and I think will be helpful.”
Faith Galti is the executive director of Breakthrough Sacramento, which runs a college preparatory program. She said 17-year-old students were able to buy intoxicating hemp gummies from stores in Supervisor Rich Desmond’s District 3, which includes Arden Arcade, Fair Oaks and North Highlands.
“If a child were to get that, they would stop breathing,” Galati said during the meeting. “That was sold at a store around the corner from my house. Those look delicious and I assure you, when I set those in front of children, they don’t know the difference.”
The Sacramento division of the California Poison Control System received eight reports of intoxicating hemp exposures between May and August, county staff said. Taking intoxicating hemp products can also negatively affect young people’s cognitive functions, memory and decision-making abilities, according to the California Department of Public Health.
The board is scheduled to vote on the ordinance again on Oct. 22. If supervisors pass it, the ban would go into effect on Nov. 21.
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