Under present law, it is an offense for a person to knowingly sell or distribute a product containing hemp-derived cannabinoid to a person who is under 21 or to purchase a product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid on behalf of a person who is under 21. It is also an offense for a person to knowingly assist a person who is under 21 to purchase, acquire, receive, or attempt to purchase a product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid. Under present law, a violation of either of these provisions is a Class A misdemeanor with imprisonment not more than 11 months, 29 days or a fine not to exceed $2,500, or both. This bill, instead, requires that a person violating the above provisions must be sentenced to serve in the county jail or workhouse not less than 48 consecutive hours nor more than 11 months and 29 days and be fined not less than $500 and no more than $1,500. Present law requires a product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid to be maintained behind the counter of a retail establishment in an area inaccessible to a customer. This bill requires such product to also be inaccessible to an employee of the retail establishment who is younger than 21. It is a violation of this bill for a retailer to knowingly allow an employee younger than 21 to access, handle, or sell any product containing a hemp-derived cannabinoid on the premises of the retail establishment. ON MARCH 10, 2025, THE SENATE SUBSTITUTED HOUSE BILL 72 FOR SENATE BILL 215, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 72, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 raises the maximum limit on the fine from $1,500 to $2,500.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43-27-203(d), 43-27-203, 43-27-204(b), 43-27-204