RELATED TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

Penalties for unlawful hemp retailing or distribution were upgraded from unspecified to misdemeanor, with class C felony classification for repeat offenses within five years.

Expanded inspection authority to include examination of all records in any format, including electronic records, pertaining to the full lifecycle of hemp products.

Added United States Department of Agriculture hemp grower licenses to the list of valid permits that exempt entities from registration requirements.

Clarified that the registration exemption applies to retailers selling tinctures or topicals, removing the word 'cannabidiol' to broaden applicability.

Removed original page headers and formatting artifacts from the bill text.

New mandatory registration system requiring all manufactured hemp product distributors and retailers to obtain certificates of registration by January 1, 2026, with $50 application and renewal fees.

New requirement that certificates of registration be displayed conspicuously at places of business and on websites for online sellers.

New offenses for unlawful hemp retailing or distribution, including misdemeanor charges that become class C felonies if committed within five years of a prior conviction.

Expanded inspection authority for the Department of Health and Attorney General to examine records, premises, and conduct tests of hemp product operations.

New forfeiture and seizure powers allowing multiple agencies to confiscate hemp products sold in violation of the chapter.

Civil penalty provisions allowing the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to pursue unfair or deceptive act claims under existing consumer protection laws.

New appropriations for drug nuisance abatement actions and startup costs including one full-time criminalist position to enforce the hemp regulations.

New definitions for 'Certificate of registration', 'Consumer', 'Manufactured hemp product distributor', 'Manufactured hemp product retailer', 'Registrant', 'Registry', and 'Tincture'.

Exemptions added for hemp processors with valid permits and retailers selling CBD tinctures or topicals, which are no longer required to register under this chapter.

Effective date set to April 23, 2057, which appears to be a placeholder or error that should be reviewed.

Created mandatory registration system requiring all manufactured hemp product distributors and retailers to obtain certificates from the Department of Health before selling products, with $50 application and renewal fees.

Established new offense of unlawful hemp retailing or distribution for recklessly failing to register, with penalties ranging from misdemeanor to class C felony for repeat offenses.

Granted inspection authority to Department of Health and Attorney General to examine records, premises, and conduct tests of entities selling hemp products.

Authorized seizure, confiscation, and forfeiture of unregistered or non-compliant hemp products by multiple law enforcement agencies.

Added nuisance abatement proceedings and civil penalties for violations, treating unregistered sales as unfair business practices.

Created new definitions for manufactured hemp product distributor, manufactured hemp product retailer, and certificate of registration.

Appropriated funds for enforcement including one full-time criminalist position and expanded use of Hawaii Hemp Processing Special Fund for registry operations.

Set effective date of July 1, 2025, with mandatory registration requirements beginning January 1, 2026.

Added new sections to Chapter 328G including registry establishment, unlawful retailing offenses, inspection authority, forfeiture procedures, and administrative penalty enforcement.

Redefines 'artificially derived cannabinoid' to include substances created by chemical reactions that change the molecular structure of cannabis-derived compounds, while excluding naturally occurring extracted substances and decarboxylated acids without chemical catalysts.

Updates the definition of 'cannabis' to include any form of the plant where delta-9 THC concentration has not yet been determined, and explicitly includes all substances enumerated in section 329-14(g).

Redefines 'manufactured hemp product' to exclude any living hemp plants, viable seeds, leaf materials, floral materials, synthetic cannabinoids, and artificially derived cannabinoids, while including other products specified by the department.

Amends section 329-14(g) to comprehensively list over 36 specific cannabinoids and synthetic compounds classified as Schedule I controlled substances, including delta-8 THC, various naphthoylindoles, and numerous synthetic cannabinoids.

Establishes a registry system requiring manufactured hemp product distributors and retailers to obtain registration certificates and pay application fees starting January 1, 2026, with provisions for suspension or revocation of certificates for non-compliance.

Creates new offenses for unlawful hemp distribution or retailing when entities recklessly fail to register or sell products containing Schedule I controlled substances, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to class C felonies for repeat offenses.

Sets the effective date for these changes to July 1, 3000, which appears to be a placeholder or error in the legislative text.

Manufactured hemp product distributors and retailers must register with the Department of Health and obtain a certificate of registration by January 1, 2026, with a $50 application fee and $50 renewal fee every five years.

Prohibits the sale of tinctures to anyone under 21 years of age, requiring retailers to check ID for anyone appearing under 27, with civil penalties of up to $2,000 for violations.

Created a new misdemeanor offense for unregistered distribution or retailing of manufactured hemp products, which becomes a class C felony if committed within five years of a prior conviction.

Expanded inspection authority to allow the Department of Health and Attorney General to inspect premises, records, and conduct tests of hemp product businesses.

Added authority to seize and confiscate hemp products sold in violation of the new registration requirements, with provisions for forfeiture and destruction.

Added nuisance abatement provisions allowing the state to address buildings or premises used for unlawful hemp distribution or retailing.

Added new definitions for 'manufactured hemp product distributor,' 'manufactured hemp product retailer,' 'registrant,' 'registry,' and 'tincture' to clarify regulatory scope.

Authorized the Hawaii Hemp Processing Special Fund to be used for establishing and maintaining the new registration system and related administrative costs.

Established July 1, 2025 as the effective date for the Act, with registration requirements beginning January 1, 2026.

Exempted hemp processors with valid permits from registration fees and exempted carriers and shipping entities from registration requirements when acting in their normal business capacity.