Committee advances THC‑beverage bill with 10 mg per‑can limit after public safety pushback

The Assembly committee voted to release Assembly bill A5051 — which revises restrictions on intoxicating hemp beverages — after amending it to cap THC at no more than 10 milligrams per can for canned intoxicating hemp beverages.

Representing the Brewers Guild of New Jersey, Merrick Orlando urged that craft breweries be allowed to produce and sell THC beverages, saying breweries have regulatory experience and could meet consumer demand if federal interstate restrictions limit future distribution. "Why not allow breweries, which have the experience and expertise to operate in a highly regulated environment," he said.

Law enforcement testimony pushed back. Andrew Cajano, a Montville police chief and president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, told the committee that expanding intoxicating THC beverages raises significant enforcement and public safety concerns: officers ‘‘lack reliable roadside testing tools,’’ DRE staffing is limited, toxicology confirmation is often delayed, and beverage packaging and flavors may appeal to youth. He urged narrowing initial sales channels to licensed dispensaries, bolstering enforcement resources and labeling standards, and running a statewide education campaign before broader expansion.

Members discussed local control, with at least one member saying they would support an amendment to preserve municipal decision‑making on licensed locations. After debate the committee released A5051 as amended.

The record includes committee discussion of public safety tradeoffs and the filing of public slips both in favor and opposed; the committee advanced the bill to the next stage.