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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 104Pt. 5Ch. 9Art. 1§ 111920 Industrial Hemp Definitions

§ 111920 Industrial Hemp Definitions

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 111920 Industrial Hemp Definitions

Key Takeaways

  • •This law defines what 'industrial hemp' and related products are in California.
  • •Hemp products must be safe for people or pets to use, like food, cosmetics, or supplements.
  • •Only special labs that don’t have a stake in hemp businesses can test these products.
  • •The law explains how to calculate 'Total THC' (the stuff that can make you feel high) in hemp products.

Example

If you buy a hemp gummy at a store, this law makes sure it’s safe to eat and not too strong.

The gummy must be tested by a lab that doesn’t sell hemp products. The lab checks how much THC is in it to make sure it’s legal and safe.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 111920 Industrial Hemp Definitions

For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply: (a) “Department” means the State Department of Public Health. (b) “Established and approved industrial hemp program” means a program that meets any applicable requirements set forth in federal law regarding the lawful and safe cultivation of industrial hemp. (c) “Final form product” is a product intended for consumer use to be sold at a retail premise. (d) “Hemp manufacturer” means either of the following: (1) A processor extracting cannabinoids from hemp biomass. (2) A processor purchasing industrial hemp raw extract for the purpose of manufacturing a final form product. (e) “Independent testing laboratory” means a laboratory that meets all of the following requirements: (1) Does not have a direct or indirect interest in the entity for which testing is being done. (2) Does not have a direct or indirect interest in a facility that cultivates, processes, distributes, dispenses, or sells raw hemp products in this state or in another jurisdiction. (3) Does not have a license issued pursuant to Division 10 (commencing with Section 26000) of the Business and Professions Code, other than as a licensed testing laboratory. (4) Is either of the following: (A) A testing laboratory licensed pursuant to Division 10 (commencing with Section 26000) of the Business and Professions Code, if the licensed testing lab has notified the Department of Cannabis Control. (B) Accredited by a third-party accrediting body as a competent testing laboratory pursuant to ISO/IEC 17025 of the International Organization for Standardization. (f) “Industrial hemp” has the same meaning as in Section 11018.5. “Industrial hemp” does not include cannabinoids produced through chemical synthesis. (g) (1) “Industrial hemp product” or “hemp product” means a finished product containing industrial hemp that meets all of the following conditions: (A) Is a cosmetic, food, food additive, dietary supplement, or herb. (B) (i) Is for human or animal consumption. (ii) “Animal” does not include livestock or a food animal as defined in Section 4825.1 of the Business and Professions Code. (iii) Does not include THC isolate as an ingredient. (2) “Industrial hemp product” does not include industrial hemp or a hemp product that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration or a hemp product that includes industrial hemp or hemp that has received Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) designation. For purposes of nonfood applications, “industrial hemp product” does not include a hemp product that contains derivatives, substances, or compounds derived from the seed of industrial hemp. (h) (1) “Manufacture” or “manufacturing” means to compound, blend, extract, infuse, or otherwise make or prepare an industrial hemp product. (2) “Manufacturing” includes all aspects of the extraction process, infusion process, and packaging and labeling processes, including processing, preparing, holding, and storing of industrial hemp products. (3) “Manufacturing” also includes processing, preparing, holding, or storing hemp components and ingredients. (4) “Manufacturing” does not include planting, growing, harvesting, drying, curing, grading, or trimming a plant or part of a plant. (i) “Raw extract” or “industrial hemp raw extract” means extract not intended for consumer use and that contains a THC concentration of not more than an amount determined by the department in regulation. (j) “Raw hemp product” means a product that is derived from industrial hemp that is intended to be included in a food, beverage, dietary supplement, or cosmetic. (k) “Retail” has the same meaning as in Section 113895. (l) “THC” or “THC or comparable cannabinoid” means any of the following: (1) Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. (2) Any tetrahydrocannabinol, including, but not limited to, Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and Delta-10-tetrahydrocannabinol, however derived, except that the department may exclude one or more isomers of tetrahydrocannabinol from this definition under subdivision (a) of Section 111921.7. (3) Any other cannabinoid, except cannabidiol, that the department determines, under subdivision (b) of Section 111921.7, to cause intoxication. (m) “THCA” means tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, CAS number 23978-85-0. (n) “Total THC” means the sum of THC and THCA. Total THC shall be calculated using the following equation: total THC concentration (mg/g) +/- the measurement of uncertainty, as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture. (Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 576, Sec. 10. (AB 45) Effective October 6, 2021.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

finehealthtriallicenseprofessions codecultivationcannabis controlinternational organization

Related Statutes

  • § 111926 Industrial Hemp Marketing Rules
  • § 11210 Healthcare Provider Reporting Duties
  • § 11834.025 Health Practitioner Certification Requirement
  • § 1254 Health Facility Licensing Rules
  • § 1261.5 Emergency Supply Drug Limits

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 111920.
View Official Source