A 4791 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Revises restrictions on sale of hemp products and intoxicating hemp beverages through November 2026.

This bill updates New Jersey's regulations on hemp products and intoxicating hemp beverages, extending certain restrictions through November 2026. It prohibits the sale of viable cannabis seeds with THC levels above 0.3 percent, bans the sale of synthetic or manufactured cannabinoids, and limits THC content in final products to 0.4 milligrams per container. The legislation also forbids online retail sales and vending machine distribution of intoxicating hemp beverages, while allowing licensed producers to temporarily hold intermediate products exceeding 0.3 percent THC during processing. Violations carry criminal penalties similar to those for marijuana, plus civil fines ranging from $100 for first offenses to $10,000 for subsequent violations.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 16, 2026 Last action Mar 23, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprint · 7 edits

MODERATE

The First Reprint of A4791 shortens the deadline for hemp producers to handle intermediate products exceeding 0.3 percent THC from November 13, 2026 to May 31, 2026, expands who may possess such products to include agents authorized by the Department of Agriculture, removes the section that would have repealed ABC display restrictions for intoxicating hemp beverages, and adds a new requirement that intoxicating hemp beverages be accompanied by a certificate of analysis from a DEA-registered and ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, with a civil penalty of at least $100 per container for non-compliance.

Scope change

The bill's scope narrowed by removing the provision that would have repealed ABC display restrictions for intoxicating hemp beverages, while expanding the definition of who may handle intermediate high-THC products and adding new laboratory testing and certification requirements for intoxicating hemp beverage sales.

TIMELINE

The deadline allowing hemp producers to possess or transport intermediate products with THC above 0.3 percent was shortened from November 13, 2026 to May 31, 2026.

The date by which intoxicating hemp beverages must meet the 5mg per serving / 10mg per container THC limits was changed from April 13, 2026 to May 31, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility to possess or transport intermediate hemp-derived cannabinoid products exceeding 0.3 percent THC was expanded beyond licensed hemp producers to also include their agents authorized by the Department of Agriculture to cultivate, handle, or process hemp.

SCOPE

The entire section amending Section 11 of P.L.2025, c.215 (which dealt with ABC licensee display and storage restrictions for intoxicating hemp beverages) was removed from the bill.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added that a certificate of analysis must accompany the sale or distribution of any intoxicating hemp beverage on or after May 31, 2026, certifying the product contains no more than 5 milligrams of total THC per serving or 10 milligrams per container.

The certificate of analysis must be prepared by an independent testing laboratory that is registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration and ISO 17025 accredited for all analytes required by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission.

ENFORCEMENT

A civil penalty of not less than $100 per container was added for selling an intoxicating hemp beverage without a certificate of analysis or in excess of the THC milligram limitations, enforced through summary proceedings under the Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999.

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Full legislative history

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Key actions

Committee

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Transferred to Assembly Appropriations Committee

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee

lower

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors