New Jersey Senate Passes Bill to Extend Hemp Beverage Sales Deadline
New Jersey lawmakers are considering legislation that would change the state’s deadline for sales of intoxicating hemp beverages. As of October 25, 2026, the current deadline remains November 13, unless new legislation takes effect before then. That is 19 days away.
The New Jersey Senate passed Senate Bill S4635 on Thursday, October 22, by a vote of 37 to 0. The bill would align state restrictions on hemp products and intoxicating hemp beverages with changes to federal law.
The measure has not yet become law. The Assembly must still consider its companion bill, A5604, and the legislation must complete the required process before the current deadline can change.
What the bill would change
S4635 would replace the existing state deadline with a federal compliance date of December 11, 2026, or a later date if the relevant federal definition takes effect later. The bill also specifies that the compliance date cannot be earlier than December 11, 2026.
The proposal follows federal legislation enacted in September that delayed some upcoming hemp related restrictions from November to December 11. However, not every federal restriction follows the same timeline, and certain cannabinoid products face earlier restrictions.
Under current New Jersey rules, eligible licensees may sell intoxicating hemp beverages through November 13. Beginning November 14, beverages made from hemp that contain more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container are treated as cannabis under state law. They must be produced by a licensed Class 2 Cannabis Manufacturer and sold by licensed Class 5 Cannabis Retailers.
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission explains these requirements in its official guidance on intoxicating hemp derived products.
Where the legislation stands
S4635 passed the Senate on October 22, following approval by the Senate Judiciary Committee on October 15.
Its Assembly companion, A5604, passed the Assembly State and Local Government Committee by a vote of 7 to 0 on October 15. On October 22, the Assembly Appropriations Committee reported the bill favorably by a vote of 13 to 0, with two members not voting.
A5604 has advanced for further Assembly consideration, but it has not yet passed the full Assembly. Neither bill had become law as of October 25.
The latest status and legislative documents are available on the New Jersey Legislature’s pages for S4635 and A5604.
How the federal timeline affects the deadline
Federal restrictions were initially scheduled to take effect in November 2026. Congress subsequently enacted a funding measure that delayed some provisions until December 11, 2026, while leaving certain restrictions on specific cannabinoids on an earlier timeline.
A Congressional Research Service report updated September 28, 2026 explains the federal changes and their delayed implementation. New Jersey’s proposed legislation would link the relevant state deadline to the applicable federal compliance date.
Until the legislation is enacted, businesses and consumers should refer to the state’s current requirements rather than treating the proposed extension as law. The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s guidance provides further information about existing restrictions.
Merchants and customers who want to share their experiences with hemp policy can visit AHAA’s Tell Your Story page.
