Regulatory News
Original reporting on laws, bans, and enforcement actions affecting the alternative products industry.
Hawaii Bans the Sale of Disposable Vapes Starting in 2027
Hawaii signed two laws on July 7 tightening its rules on vapes. One bans disposable vape sales statewide starting January 1, 2027; the other requires makers to
Trump Signaled Openness to 7-OH. Weeks Later, DEA Moved to Schedule It as Schedule I.
President Trump said in May he was looking at approving natural 7-OH. Weeks later, the DEA has moved to place concentrated 7-OH in Schedule I nationwide, with e
Hemp Companies Fight DEA in Two Circuits Over HHC's Schedule I Status
Two hemp companies are fighting the DEA in the Fourth and Ninth Circuits over a rule that lists HHC as a Schedule I drug. The outcome could shape how far the DE
Florida Schedules Concentrated 7-OH as a Controlled Substance, Effective Immediately
Florida signed an emergency rule on June 22 placing concentrated 7-OH and six related compounds in Schedule I, effective immediately. Sales now carry felony exp
Kratom Sales Become Illegal in Normal, Illinois on July 15
Selling kratom becomes illegal in Normal, Illinois on July 15 under an ordinance the Town Council passed June 1. The ban covers sales, not possession, with fine
Nebraska Moves to Bar Food and Drinks Containing Any Amount of THC
Nebraska regulators have proposed treating any food or drink containing THC, its acidic precursor THCA, or synthetic analogues like delta-8 and delta-9 as adult
FDA Eases Enforcement on Some Unauthorized Vapes and Pouches, Not All
A federal guidance in effect since May tells the agency which unauthorized vapes and nicotine pouches it will not prioritize for enforcement. It does not make a
The Federal Hemp Cutoff Is November 12. The FDA Rules Operators Need Are Overdue.
A November 2025 law redefines hemp by total THC and caps finished products at 0.4 milligrams per container starting November 12, 2026. The FDA guidance defining
Kentucky's Kratom Market Closes January 1, 2027
A 345-page revenue bill repealed the state's 2024 Kratom Consumer Protection Act and replaced it with a full ban. Here is the runway operators have left.
North Carolina Bill Setting a 21+ Age Limit for Hemp and Kratom Advances in the House
A rewritten Senate Bill 59 cleared a House committee, setting a 21-plus age floor for hemp consumables and kratom. Nothing has changed yet, and the Senate's app
Texas Total THC Rule Back in Effect After Appeals Court Lifts Injunction
An appeals court lifted the injunction shielding Texas hemp sellers, putting the Total THC Rule back in effect. The state has not said whether it will begin enf
Tennessee's Hemp Overhaul Takes Full Effect July 1, Banning THCA and Moving Sales Under Alcohol Regulators
Tennessee's 2025 hemp law takes full effect July 1, banning THCA products, moving the industry under alcohol regulators, and limiting sales to licensed 21-and-o
Georgia's Kratom Bill Dies at Crossover Day After Scheduling Synthetic Derivatives and Rewriting Sale Rules
A Georgia bill to schedule synthetic kratom derivatives as controlled substances and impose strict new rules on natural kratom died without a House floor vote,
Missouri's 7-OH Bills Stall in the Senate, Leaving Regulation to the Cities
Missouri's 2026 session ended without statewide kratom or 7-OH regulation as competing Senate bills stalled, leaving cities to enact their own rules while neigh
Federal Hemp Ban Takes Effect November 12 With FDA Guidance Unpublished and Repeal Bills Stalled
The federal total-THC hemp redefinition takes effect November 12. FDA guidance is unpublished and repeal bills are stalled, leaving most hemp products months fr
Kansas Bans Kratom Statewide, Effective July 1, After Second Bill Adds Mitragynine
Kansas has scheduled both kratom alkaloids as Schedule I, banning kratom statewide July 1. The ban took two bills after mitragynine was accidentally left out of
Florida's Emergency 7-OH Ban Set to Expire June 30 After Lawmakers Decline to Act
Florida's emergency ban on concentrated 7-OH is set to expire June 30 after lawmakers declined to make it permanent, though the Attorney General could still iss
Tennessee Bans Kratom Statewide, Effective July 1
Tennessee has enacted a statewide kratom ban that takes effect July 1, 2026. The law makes possession a Class A misdemeanor and the sale, delivery, or manufactu