Sacramento, CA – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council, March & Ash/Cannacraft and Embarc applauded Governor Newsom’s emergency regulations to protect children and consumers from unsafe, untested intoxicating hemp products.
“UFCW has always led the nation in promoting and legitimizing the cannabis industry and it’s high time our state curbs intoxicating hemp, an unfettered and dangerous sector of the industry,” said Mark Ramos, president, UFCW Western States Council and UFCW Local 1428. “It’s UFCW members who see how without proper age verification and testing for dangerous substances such as fungus or pesticides – and being sold without serving size and per package caps – the hemp-sourced THC products being sold in gas stations, convenience stores and wine shops are a direct threat to confused consumers and children.”
“The Governor’s regulations will further protect the legal, licensed and unionized cannabis industry that has invested time and money into building and maintaining a legal cannabis commerce framework and UFCW members applaud his actions today,” continued Ramos. “Governor Newsom is on the right side of this fight by demanding that something be done to protect public health and we’re pleased to stand in partnership with him to ensure profit is no longer put over our kids’ or public safety.”
“When Californians voted to legalize recreational cannabis in 2016, they did so with the stipulation that it be carefully regulated and taxed,” said Tiffany Devitt, Director of Regulatory Affairs, March & Ash/Cannacraft. “The intoxicating hemp market has made a mockery of that framework to the detriment of California consumers and communities. Today, Newsom has taken strong action to uphold the voters’ clear mandate. We thank him for his leadership.”
Lauren Carpenter, CEO of Embarc added, “Embarc stands with our union employees as we continue to promote safe and smart policies necessary for a functional cannabis market. We commend Governor Newsom as he takes the steps needed to eliminate the unregulated, intoxicating hemp market, and we stand ready to continue to help promote sound policy objectives.”
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