California Two bills in the state Legislature that would establish a new regulatory framework for hemp-infused goods-including foods and drinks containing CBD-are poised to become law this year, which could jump-start the state's nascent hemp industry and potentially give marijuana businesses an opportunity to expand into a federally legal crop. Assembly Bill 45 and Senate Bill 235 are identical and have the support of Gov. Gavin Newsom and many legislators, sources told MJBizDaily. But few in the hemp and marijuana industries are happy with the legislation, and the bills are likely to be amended. If either bill passes, the state's hemp market could grow significantly, and if they're amended, licensed marijuana businesses could have more opportunity to capitalize on hemp and CBD products. Colorado The first state to launch adult-use marijuana sales banned delta-8 THC from hemp extracts. The Colorado health department said that " chemically modifying or converting any naturally occurring cannabinoids from industrial hemp is noncompliant with the statutory definition of 'industrial hemp product.' " The move comes as THC isomers derived from hemp extracts such as CBD have shaken up the cannabis market. Proponents of products such as delta-8 and delta-10 THC argue that because the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp extracts, the products are legal. But the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration disagrees, because delta-8 THC is manufactured from hemp-derived CBD, not extracted directly from the plant. July 2021 | mjbizdaily.com 29https://ledestar.com http://www.mjbizdaily.com