The proposed bill seeks to regulate the manufacture, distribution, and sale of consumable hemp products in Wyoming by establishing a licensing requirement for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers through the Wyoming liquor division. It introduces a two percent excise tax on the retail sale of these products and includes detailed definitions for terms such as "batch," "distributor," and "manufacturer." The legislation prohibits sales to individuals under the age of twenty-one and mandates safety testing and labeling standards for all consumable hemp products. Additionally, it outlines penalties for violations, including fines and potential imprisonment for repeat offenders, and requires background checks for applicants to ensure they have no controlled substance felony convictions in the past ten years.

The bill also raises the legal age for purchasing edible and vaping products from eighteen to twenty-one years, while providing an affirmative defense for sellers who verify a buyer's age through identification. It clarifies that the prohibitions do not apply to the sale of cannabidiol oil with a THC concentration of no more than 0.3% to a parent or guardian for their child under twenty-one. The legislation mandates the Department of Revenue and the Department of Agriculture to adopt necessary regulations for consumable hemp products by January 1, 2026, while the act itself will take effect immediately upon passage, with specific provisions outlined in Sections 1 through 3 effective from January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 11-51-101, 11-51-102, 11-51-103, 11-51-104, 11-51-505, 11-51-106, 11-51-107, 14-3-310, 35-7-1063