New Jersey Senate Passes Bill 37–0 on October 22 to Extend Hemp Beverage Sales and Align with Federal Timeline
The New Jersey Senate voted 37 to 0 on Thursday, October 22, to unanimously pass a bill extending the deadline for certain businesses to legally sell intoxicating hemp beverages to at least December 11, 2026, aligning state restrictions with changes in federal law.
According to The Marijuana Herald's October 22 report, Senate Bill 4635, sponsored by Senate President Nicholas Scutari, replaces the state's November 13 cutoff with the new federal compliance date: authorized sellers may continue selling qualifying hemp beverages until December 11 or until the relevant federal hemp restrictions take effect, whichever is later; if the federal government delays again, the state deadline moves accordingly without the legislature having to pass another extension. A federal continuing resolution passed in September had previously delayed parts of the national hemp regulatory overhaul.
The extension preserves existing THC limits and requirements for laboratory testing, packaging and sales. The bill also extends the period during which licensed hemp producers may possess or transport certain intermediate hemp-derived cannabinoid products exceeding 0.3 percent THC, provided the material is in the manufacturing process, is not for human consumption at that stage, and meets safety requirements. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 10–0 on October 15, and the Assembly companion bill passed the State and Local Government Committee 7–0 the same day. It must still pass the Assembly before going to Governor Mikie Sherrill for signature; if enacted, it takes effect immediately.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于特伦顿的新泽西州议会大厦。摄影：Niagara，CC BY-SA 3.0（Wikimedia Commons）。Photo: The New Jersey State House in Trenton. Photo by Niagara, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
