Florida blocks sale of hemp products from Hollywood business

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services blocked the sale of more than 186,000 packages of hemp-extract products that were uncovered at a Hollywood business, the agency announced Wednesday.

Department inspectors issued stop-sale orders for 186,377 packages of hemp products and 644 packages, allegedly targeted at children, containing synthetic cannabinoids at High Roller Private Label LLC, a Hollywood-based CBD manufacturer.

The department has issued stop-sale orders for more than 631,000 hemp products designed to target children and more than 420,000 packages containing illegal synthetic cannabinoids since a state law imposing restrictions on hemp products went into effect in July 2023. The law included a prohibition on the sale of hemp-extract products intended for human ingestion to anyone under age 21.

The change in law also required that packaging not be considered attractive to children. That means products can’t be shaped like humans, cartoons or animals or manufactured in a way that leads to them looking like popular candy.

Selling such products can lead to second-degree misdemeanor charges. Second violations within a year can draw first-degree misdemeanor charges.

Lawmakers this year approved a measure (SB 1698) aimed at outlawing intoxicating hemp-based products.

The bill drew an outcry from manufacturers and sellers of hemp-based products who warned it would shutter businesses and drive people to the illegal drug market.

The legislation targets what is known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids in hemp products — including whole-flower products — that can create euphoric effects.

Opponents are urging Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has not received the measure yet, to veto the proposal.