TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — New rules for the sale of hemp products took effect in Florida earlier this year, and the state says over 85,000 hemp products that broke those rules have been seized since then.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services launched “Operation Safe Summer” in June. The campaign is described as an “enforcement sweep of hemp retailers and manufacturers” meant to ensure compliance with new laws.
Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson said since the start of the operation three weeks ago, tens of thousands of products have been removed from shelves for violating child-protection standards.
“Florida will not tolerate the sale of dangerous, illegal hemp products that endanger our children,” Simpson said. “We will continue to aggressively enforce the law, hold bad actors accountable, and put the safety of Florida’s families over profits.”
Updates to hemp laws:
- Prohibits certain color additives
- Mandates child-resistant packaging
- Requires certificates of analysis to include lab information, total delta-9 THC concentration, and confirm the absence or presence of prohibited substances and pathogens
- Restricts marketing and advertising of hemp products intended for human consumption
- Enhances labeling requirements to include household measurements
- Requires a scannable barcode or QR code to link to the certificate of analysis
- Mandates water activity for cannabis flower or leaves to be .60
