Mounting alarm over the proliferation of intoxicating hemp-based edibles and beverages has spurred dozens of bills in more than half of states this year to crack down on the industry, if not shutter it altogether.
State lawmakers have been grappling with the issue since at least 2021. This year’s deluge of bills comes as lawmakers and governors of both political parties are increasingly concerned that hemp legalization at the federal level has unleashed an unregulated cannabinoid market — endangering kids and sidestepping marijuana regulations.
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