24:6I-48.5 Sale of intoxicating hemp beverages, licensing.
11. a. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 8 of P.L.2025, c.215 (C.2C:35-10f), the holder of any valid and unrevoked plenary wholesale license or plenary retail distribution license, as such terms are defined in R.S.33:1-11 and R.S.33:1-12, or the holder of a valid and unrevoked plenary retail consumption license that meets the requirements of R.S.33:1-12 and section 1 of P.L.1948, c.98 (C.33:1-12.23), may sell intoxicating hemp beverages until November 13, 2026, after which date, the holder shall be subject to the penalties and prohibitions established in section 8 of P.L.2025, c.215 (C.2C:35-10f). (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 8 of P.L.2025, c.215 (C.2C:35-10f), a person or entity that is licensed by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission in accordance with P.L.2021, c.16 (C.24:6I-31 et al.) may sell intoxicating hemp beverages until November 13, 2026, after which date, the person or entity shall be subject to the penalties and prohibitions established in section 8 of P.L.2025, c.215 (C.2C:35-10f). b. (1) (a) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2026, c.13) (b) Intoxicating hemp beverages sold, distributed, or offered for sale pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection a. of this section may be stored or displayed in a place accessible to customers and may be accessed without the assistance of an employee of the establishment only if: (i) the establishment segregates the storage or display of intoxicating hemp beverages from other intoxicating liquors and posts conspicuous notice at the place of storage or display indicating to customers that the products are intoxicating hemp beverage beverages and may only be purchased by a person 21 years of age or older; (ii) the establishment actively monitors the place of storage or display; (iii) an employee of the establishment confirms at the point of sale that the customer is 21 years of age or older and understands that they are purchasing an intoxicating hemp beverage and is informed of the appropriate serving size of the intoxicating hemp beverage being purchased; and (iv) the establishment complies with any other requirements as may be established by rule by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, in consultation with the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. (2) Intoxicating hemp beverages sold, distributed, or offered for sale pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall conform to the requirements of subsection b. of section 12 of P.L.2025, c.215 (C.2C:35-10g). c. (1) The provisions of Title 33 of the Revised Statutes and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder shall apply to the sale or distribution of intoxicating hemp beverages by any person or entity licensed pursuant to the provisions of Title 33 of the Revised Statutes; (2) Nothing contained in P.L.2025, c.215 (C.2C:35-10f et al.) shall be construed to preclude the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control from exercising the authority to enforce the rules and regulations governing activities taken by licensees on licensed premises or from taking disciplinary action against a licensee under Title 33 of the Revised Statutes based upon a determination by the division that the licensee committed a violation of P.L.2025, c.215 (C.2C:35-10f et al.). L.2025, c.215, s.11; amended 2026, c.13, s.4.