New York, New Jersey close to expanding hemp, CBD opportunities

New York and New Jersey lawmakers want to make it easier to grow hemp and sell CBD products.

Legislators in both states sent bills to their respective governors making their states friendlier to hemp businesses.

The measures both authorize CBD foods and dietary supplements.

Rampant confusion in New York City, where health authorities pulled some CBD foods from restaurants earlier this year, led to widespread calls for state authorities to give shops express permission to sell the items.

The New York bill requires CBD products to carry QR codes showing they were made according to state rules.

The hemp bills come on heels of lawmakers in both states failing to agree on broader measures to legalize recreational marijuana. Hemp-derived CBD legalization proved less divisive in both statehouses.

The proposals now await the signatures of New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. Both are thought likely to sign.

In a related development, a hemp-expansion bill is awaiting final approval in the state of Florida.

The measure, which would expand hemp-production opportunities in the state, awaits the signature of Gov. Ron DeSantis. He has not said whether he will sign or veto.