Florida has enacted Senate Bill 1676, a new law aimed at safeguarding children from hemp-based products, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) variants such as delta-8, commonly found in snacks. This law addresses concerns related to snack packaging resembling those intended for children, the absence of age restrictions for purchasing these items, and their marketing techniques.
Under these fresh regulations, the minimum age for purchasing snacks and vaping products has been set at 21 years. Additionally, specific packaging and labeling requirements have been imposed to ensure that these products do not appeal to children. This legislative response is prompted by the increasing incidents of children encountering potent hemp products.
According to the Florida Poison Information Center, nearly 1,000 children had encounters with such products in the previous year, many of whom required medical assistance or hospitalization. A meeting at Tampa General Hospital highlighted cases where children mistakenly consumed these items, often confusing them for candies or other snacks.
Ingesting THC can result in severe side effects, including hallucinations, vomiting, tremors, anxiety, dizziness, confusion, or fainting. The Florida Poison Information Center provides confidential and free assistance for poisoning emergencies, operating 24/7, 365 days a year.
Hillsborough County Code Enforcement is collaborating with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to educate local retailers about the new state regulations governing the sale of edible hemp and vaping products. They also recommend keeping these items out of the reach of children. In the event that retailers are found selling snacks containing hemp-based products, it can be reported to Hillsborough County Code Enforcement.
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