The New Jersey Senate voted unanimously Thursday to approve legislation extending the deadline for certain businesses to legally sell intoxicating hemp beverages until at least December 11, 2026, advancing a proposal designed to align state restrictions with changes in federal law.
The Senate approved Senate Bill 4635 by a vote of 37 to 0 on October 22. Sponsored by Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D), the measure would replace the state’s existing November 13 deadline with a new federal compliance date, allowing authorized businesses to continue selling qualifying hemp beverages for at least another four weeks.
Under the legislation, the new deadline would be December 11, 2026, or whenever the relevant federal hemp restrictions take effect, whichever is later. The provision would also accommodate additional federal delays without requiring New Jersey lawmakers to pass another extension.
The proposal follows a federal continuing resolution enacted in September that postponed portions of a nationwide overhaul of hemp regulations. While certain hemp products containing cannabinoids that cannot be naturally produced by the cannabis plant would face federal restrictions beginning November 13, other qualifying hemp products would remain federally permissible until at least December 11.
Under existing New Jersey law, certain businesses licensed by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control or the Cannabis Regulatory Commission may temporarily sell intoxicating hemp beverages. The Senate-approved legislation would extend that authorization until the updated federal deadline, while maintaining existing requirements governing THC limits, laboratory testing, packaging and sales restrictions.
The measure would also extend the period during which authorized hemp producers may possess or transport certain intermediate hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing more than 0.3% THC, provided the material is undergoing processing, is not intended for consumption at that stage and meets applicable safety requirements.
Thursday’s vote follows unanimous committee approval on October 15, when the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the legislation 10 to 0, with one member not voting. That same day, the Assembly State and Local Government Committee voted 7 to 0 to advance companion legislation, Assembly Bill 5604, sponsored by Assemblymember Robert Karabinchak (D).
With the Senate’s approval secured, the legislation still requires action in the Assembly before it can be sent to Governor Mikie Sherrill (D). The Assembly version has been referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. If enacted, the legislation would take effect immediately.
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