Senate bill seeks to move intoxicating hemp sales into licensed dispensaries after spike in unregulated product calls

Carson City — The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee heard lengthy testimony on SB356, a bill and conceptual amendment that would prohibit the manufacture and sale of consumable hemp products that contain intoxicating cannabinoids outside licensed cannabis dispensaries and would add testing, labeling and enforcement tools for intoxicating hemp products.

Sen. Lori Rogich, sponsor of SB356, told members the measure grew from growing public‑safety concerns and from a personal family tragedy. Rogich described how her adult daughter died after consuming an unregulated product that contained additional psychoactive substances and said many intoxicating hemp products are packaged and marketed in ways that appeal to children.

Lake Martin of the Nevada Cannabis Association summarized the amendment’s approach: it defines “consumable hemp product,” restricts sale of products with intoxicating cannabinoids to licensed dispensaries, and adds testing and enforcement authority for the Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB) and local jurisdictions. Martin said the amendment removes an earlier CCB fiscal note by narrowing oversight and preserving existing producers’ ability to continue lawful activity.

Supporters included local jurisdictions and public‑safety representatives. Henderson, Clark County and Las Vegas said the bill would give clearer enforcement authority, and law‑enforcement and fire representatives said illicit or untested products have led to poison‑control calls and harmful incidents. Lake Martin and the Cannabis Compliance Board’s chief of health and safety explained regulators’ current limits and why packaging and labeling often provide no reliable consumer information.

Many hemp manufacturers, retailers and trade groups opposed the bill as drafted. Businesses that make legitimate CBD, CBG, and other non‑intoxicating products said the amendment’s definitions would sweep lawful low‑THC products into dispensary‑only sales and could force small Nevada manufacturers and retailers out of business. Speakers asked the committee to preserve sales of lab‑tested, non‑intoxicating hemp products in age‑gated retail environments and to consider a carve‑out for low‑dose, tested hemp beverages distributed through alcohol retailers under an age‑gated model. Trade groups pointed to other states that regulate low‑dose beverages through established systems.

Several witnesses described their operations: licensed Nevada growers and CBD manufacturers said they use third‑party labs (COAs) and follow GMP/ISO standards. Some opponents said the bill, as amended, risks eliminating businesses that have invested to meet testing and labeling standards. Advocates for stricter rules urged the committee to act, saying legislation in other states led to fewer poison‑center calls and made it easier for law enforcement to identify illegal products.

Sen. Rogich indicated willingness to work with stakeholders on carve‑outs and budget impacts; the Cannabis Compliance Board said it would work to reduce the earlier fiscal note. The committee heard extensive public comment both in Carson City and Las Vegas; testimony left the record with detailed industry technical questions and requests for clearer labeling and enforcement language.