All Roll Calls
Yes: 184 • No: 22
New JerseyS3945221st Legislature (2026-2027)SenateWALLET
Revises restrictions on sale of hemp products and intoxicating hemp beverages through November 2026.
Sponsored By: Linda S. Carter (Democratic), Robert J. Karabinchak (Democratic), Cody D. Miller (Democratic), Paul A. Sarlo (Democratic), Nicholas P. Scutari (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Hemp sellers face escalating violation penalties
Violating the hemp product restrictions carries minimum civil penalties of $100 initially, $1,000 for a second violation, and $10,000 thereafter. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense. Covered violations also carry the criminal penalties used for marijuana, and civil fines do not block criminal prosecution. Beginning April 13, 2026, intoxicating hemp drink sales, offers, and distributions face these penalties, except sales allowed under the law's separate beverage-sales provision. Beginning November 13, 2026, those beverage penalties apply to any person or business selling, offering, or distributing the drinks. Civil penalties are enforced under the Penalty Enforcement Law, and the existing hemp law's enforcement remedies also apply.
Hemp producers get temporary processing flexibility
From March 30 through May 31, 2026, state-authorized hemp producers and their agents can possess or transport intermediate products above 0.3% THC. The material must be undergoing processing and cannot be intended for human or animal use or consumption at that stage. Handling and transport must follow the Cannabis Regulatory Commission's safety and security rules. Any final product sold or distributed must meet the law's allowed hemp THC levels.
Hemp sellers lose online and vending options
Beginning March 30, 2026, sellers cannot offer, sell, or distribute intoxicating hemp drinks or other hemp-derived cannabinoid products online. Intoxicating hemp drinks also cannot be dispensed, distributed, sold, or offered through vending machines. Vending violations carry a civil penalty of at least $100 per container, in addition to applicable marijuana criminal penalties. Civil penalties are collected through court proceedings under New Jersey's Penalty Enforcement Law.
New limits on hemp product sales
Beginning April 13, 2026, New Jersey bans sales, offers, and distribution of specified hemp products unless another law allows them. Covered seeds include viable cannabis seeds with total THC, including THCA, at or above 0.3% by dry weight. The ban covers intermediate products intended for household use, specified synthetic cannabinoids, and intermediate products above 0.3% THC or combined THC and similar-effect cannabinoids. Final products are banned above 0.4 milligrams of combined THC and similar-effect cannabinoids per container; restrictions also cover cannabinoids not naturally produced by cannabis or made outside the plant, including state-identified prohibited synthesis methods. Products marketed as hemp cannot exceed federal hemp THC limits, and the federal health secretary determines which cannabinoids have similar effects.
Hemp drinks require testing and THC limits
Beginning May 31, 2026, hemp drinks sold through the law's permitted beverage-sales route have THC limits and testing requirements. They cannot exceed 5 milligrams of total THC per serving or 10 milligrams per container. A certificate of analysis must accompany each sale or distribution and confirm those limits, giving buyers independent test results. The independent lab must follow state testing rules, be registered with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, and hold ISO 17025 accreditation for every required substance tested. Sellers face at least $100 per container sold without the certificate or above the limits, enforced under New Jersey's Penalty Enforcement Law.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Linda S. Carter
Democratic • House
Robert J. Karabinchak
Democratic • House
Cody D. Miller
Democratic • House
Paul A. Sarlo
Democratic • Senate
Nicholas P. Scutari
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/23/2026
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 92 • No: 11 • Other: 17
Senate vote • 3/23/2026
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 36 • No: 1
House vote • 3/23/2026
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 56 • No: 10 • Other: 6
Actions Timeline
Governor: APP
3/30/2026GovernorApproved by Governor — P.L.2026, c.7.
3/30/2026GovernorPassed Assembly, PBH — (56-10-6)
3/23/2026HouseSubstituted for A4791 (1R)
3/23/2026HouseReceived in Assembly, Without Reference, 2nd Reading in Assembly
3/23/2026HousePassed Senate — (36-1)
3/23/2026SenateREP/SCA, 2nd Reading in Senate
3/19/2026SenateIntroduced, 1st Reading in Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
3/12/2026Senate
Bill Text
Version PL2026
9/17/2026
Version AL2026
8/13/2026
Senate Judiciary (3/19/26 1R)
3/24/2026
Senate Judiciary Substitute (3/19/26)
3/20/2026
As Introduced
3/19/2026
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