Vol. 1, Ed. 70 — Thu Oct 22: Rhode Island lets hemp sellers quarantine over-limit stock

Rhode Island will let hemp licensees quarantine rather than destroy over-limit THC inventory ahead of the December 11 federal limit; DEA opposes reopening the rescheduling hearing; Nebraska cultivators petition on proposed license fees. For general information only — not legal advice.

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This is the New Realm Compliance Brief, Volume One, Edition Seventy, for Thursday, October Twenty-Second.

Our top story: Rhode Island regulators will let hemp businesses keep, but not sell, inventory that exceeds the coming federal THC limit. Under an October eighth bulletin from the state's Cannabis Control Commission, licensees may quarantine products containing more than four tenths of a milligram of total THC per container instead of destroying them. Businesses must submit an inventory report to the commission by December fourth, and after December eleventh, the day the federal limit takes effect, quarantined products cannot be moved, processed, or sold unless regulators later allow it. Earlier state guidance had said noncompliant products must be removed; the new policy holds stock in place while Congress weighs possible changes.

In federal news, the Drug Enforcement Administration filed a brief Wednesday opposing a request by rescheduling opponents to reopen the marijuana rescheduling hearing for new testimony tied to a Government Accountability Office report. The agency's chief administrative law judge has not yet ruled on the request.

Also national: hemp drink maker Herb Light launched a campaign letting customers buy a six-pack for their members of Congress, urging support for legislation that would keep hemp THC beverages federally legal under a regulatory framework rather than the December eleventh limit.

Around the states: Nebraska's four licensed medical cannabis cultivators asked the state commission to defer or reduce proposed fees of twenty-three thousand five hundred dollars per year to renew a cultivation license, plus thirteen thousand dollars a year for the required tracking system. And in Massachusetts, Worcester's city council voted six to zero to urge voters to reject Question Eight, the November third ballot measure that would end regulated cannabis sales.

On the radar: November first, Oklahoma's THC drink labeling rules take effect. November twelfth, Illinois begins enforcing its own point four milligram cap. December eleventh, the federal limit arrives.

Full details and source links are in today's email. This update is for general information only. It is not legal advice.