Summary
August 9, 2024
The Honorable Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
1021 O Street, Suite 8220
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry,
On behalf of the Marin County Board of Supervisors, I am writing to express our strong support for AB 2223, which addresses critical public health concerns related to hemp-derived cannabinoid products, particularly those containing THC. This legislation is a crucial step toward safeguarding the health and well-being of our youth by closing regulatory loopholes that have allowed intoxicating hemp products to be easily accessible.
Marin County is proud to be a leader in addressing emerging public health concerns, especially those affecting our youth. Over the past year, community organizations and parents have raised significant concerns with County Public Health about the increasing use of intoxicating hemp products by youth in Marin County. These products are particularly troubling because they are widely available to minors, lack stringent potency regulations, and are often marketed in ways that appeal to young people. We are seeing this alarming trend in our data as well: THC-related 911 calls for those under 18 increased by 93% between 2021 and 2022, with a significant portion of these cases involving edibles marketed as hemp products. We know that THC can be harmful to developing brains, and cannabis dependency is the most common diagnosis among youth in addiction treatment in Marin County.
The rise in the availability of these products is due to a loophole in federal and state regulations. Currently, hemp products with synthetic THC are regulated differently from cannabis products with THC. Edible hemp products, for example, can be legally sold without any age restrictions as long as they are derived from raw hemp containing less than 0.3% THC. However, some manufacturers are exploiting this loophole by concentrating THC from legally permissible hemp into edibles with high THC levels and selling them without age restrictions.
While our Board of Supervisors has considered a local ordinance to restrict the sale of these products by local retailers, such an ordinance would not prevent youth from ordering these products online from outside Marin. Local action alone would not be sufficient to address the risks posed by these products, particularly given the ease with which they can be delivered through common platforms like DoorDash and Amazon. Only statewide regulation with broad enforcement capabilities can effectively protect our youth.
AB 2223 offers the clarity and enforcement needed by bringing intoxicating hemp products under the same regulatory framework as cannabis products, a system that has proven effective in California. Specifically, AB 2223 would prohibit the sale of synthetic cannabinoids, restrict products that could appeal to youth, strengthen regulatory oversight by requiring licensed cannabis businesses to handle hemp products, and integrate these products into the state’s systems for cannabis regulation. Additionally, the bill empowers local enforcement by enhancing the ability of local and state officials to seize, embargo, or destroy non-compliant hemp products.
For these reasons, the Marin County Board of Supervisors strongly supports AB 2223 and urges its passage. We appreciate your leadership on this critical issue and your continued commitment to protecting public health.
Sincerely,
Dennis Rodoni, President
Marin County Board of Supervisors
Cc: Marin County Board of Supervisors
Senator Mike McGuire
Assemblymember Damon Connolly
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