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Committee backs ban on some hemp‑derived intoxicants after health, licensing and law‑enforcement testimony
Summary
Bill 36‑0105 would prohibit delta‑6, delta‑8, delta‑10 and THCA products in the territory; agencies backed a ban but asked for clearer definitions, interagency enforcement and lab testing capacity.
The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety voted to forward Bill 36‑0105, which would prohibit possession, sale and manufacture of certain hemp‑derived intoxicants including delta‑6, delta‑8, delta‑10 THC and decarboxylated THCA. Sponsor Senator Clifford A. Joseph Sr. and multiple territorial agencies said the products pose acute public‑health risks and are often packaged and marketed to appeal to children.
Health and safety witnesses — including Commissioner Justa Incarnacion and assistant commissioners from the Department of Health — told the committee that federal agencies have received thousands of adverse‑event reports tied to delta‑8 and similar compounds and that nearly half of those national poison‑control calls involve children. The Department of Health testified it can use existing food and public‑health authorities to embargo and remove unsafe products immediately and stood ready to implement enforcement protocols once the statute is finalized.
Licensing and consumer‑protection officials and the Industrial Hemp Commission supported the bill’s public‑health aims but urged clearer statutory definitions (for example, ‘‘chemically converted cannabinoids’’ and ‘‘intoxicating cannabinoid’’), mandatory third‑party testing and an interagency enforcement model that assigns explicit responsibilities to DLCA, DOH, VIPD and the Industrial Hemp Commission. Several agencies also recommended packaging and labeling requirements, child‑resistant packaging and prohibitions on marketing that mimics candy or snacks.
The Office of Cannabis Regulation submitted written support for stronger rules but warned of potential overlap with the Cannabis Use Act; the Attorney General’s office urged careful drafting to avoid conflicting jurisdictional language and said DOJ would defer to OCR and the Hemp Commission on technical matters.
Community and nonprofit witnesses urged the committee to pair prohibition with funding for prevention and merchant education; ARCH Institute urged directing some penalty revenues toward substance‑use prevention work and closing e‑commerce shipment loopholes.
The committee adopted an amendment to refine definitions and enforcement language during the hearing and then voted to approve the bill as amended. Roll call recorded five yes votes and two absences; the measure will go to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary for further consideration.
