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HB0108 • 2023

Sale of THC vaping devices and edibles to minors-prohibited.

AN ACT relating to children; prohibiting the sale of edible products and vaping products containing tetrahydrocannabinol to persons under eighteen (18) years of age; providing definitions; specifying penalties, exceptions and affirmative defenses; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

Children Energy Parental Rights
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Representative Sommers
Last action
2023-02-27
Official status
enrolled
Effective date
7/1/2023

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide information on the possession or use of these products by minors, which was mentioned in the candidate explanation.

Ban on Selling THC Vaping Devices and Edibles to Minors

This law stops stores from selling vaping devices with THC or edibles containing THC to people under age 18, sets fines for breaking the rule, and allows exceptions.

What This Bill Does

  • Forbids anyone from selling products that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to minors under 18 years old.
  • Defines what counts as THC edibles or vaping devices: any product with THC, synthetic analogs of THC, and psychoactive isomers of THC.
  • Sets fines for breaking the law: $250 for a first offense within two years, $500 for a second offense, and $750 for third or more offenses.
  • Allows sellers to use an ID check as proof they thought someone was over 18 when selling them THC products.
  • Does not apply to cannabidiol oil with less than 0.3% THC sold by parents or guardians for their children.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Retailers and sellers of THC edibles and vaping devices.
  • Minors under the age of 18 who want to buy these products.
  • Parents or guardians buying cannabidiol oil with low THC content for their underage children.

Terms To Know

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
The main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that causes a high feeling.
Psychoactive synthetic analogs
Chemical substances similar to THC but made artificially, which can also cause mind-altering effects.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law does not address the possession or use of these products by minors.
  • It only applies to sales and deliveries; it doesn't cover personal sharing among friends.
  • The effectiveness in preventing underage access is uncertain without enforcement measures.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB0108H2001

2nd reading • Representative Zwonitzer, Dn

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment removes previous changes and adds definitions for certain substances related to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and controlled substance analogs.

  • Removes the definition of THC vaping products from the bill.
  • Adds new definitions for psychoactive synthetic analogs and isomers of THC.
  • Inserts a definition for 'controlled substance analog' that includes substances similar to those in Schedule I or II.
  • The exact impact on existing penalties, exceptions, and affirmative defenses is not clear from the amendment text alone.
HB0108H3001

3rd reading • Representative Newsome

Failed

Plain English: The amendment adds a new law that makes it illegal for people under age 21 to possess or use edible products and vaping devices containing THC, except for cannabidiol oil with low THC content.

  • Adds a new section (14-3-311) prohibiting persons under 21 from possessing or using edible products and vaping devices that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), excluding cannabidiol oil with less than 0.3% THC.
  • Specifies penalties for violations, including fines of $50 which can be replaced by community service.
  • Includes provisions to expunge convictions after nine months if the fine is paid.
  • The amendment text does not specify all details about how enforcement and compliance will work in practice.
HB0108HS001

Standing Committee • House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Re

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes the list of prohibited substances in vaping and edible products that cannot be sold to minors under 18 years old, adds a new substance called synthetic isomers of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) analogs, and updates when the law takes effect.

  • Removes 'or' from the list of prohibited substances in vaping and edible products for sale to minors.
  • Adds a new item (C) to the list that includes synthetic isomers of THC analogs as prohibited substances.
  • Changes the effective date of the bill to take effect immediately upon completion of all necessary acts for it to become law.
  • The amendment text does not provide details on how the new substance will be regulated or enforced.
HB0108SW001

Committee of the Whole • Senator Baldwin

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment modifies the bill to update references related to certain substances in specific sections of Wyoming state law.

  • Replaces 'or' with a comma on page 6, line 1.
  • Adds 'or their analogs' after '(xxi)' on page 6, line 2.
  • Removes 'Controlled substance' on page 7, line 9.
  • Changes references from 'in schedule I or II' to 'listed under W.S. 35-7-1014(d)(xiii) or (xxi)' in two places.
  • The amendment text does not provide clear context for the changes, making it difficult to explain fully without additional information about Wyoming state law and the specific sections mentioned.
HB0108SW002

Committee of the Whole • Senator Bouchard

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes the wording of a bill that aims to stop people under 18 from buying certain products with THC, making it clearer how these products are described and used.

  • Adds 'containing tetrahydrocannabinol' after 'any device' on page 6, line 16.
  • Removes the word 'be' on page 6, line 17, and adds 'is being or has been' before 'used to'.
  • Deletes 'uses or' from page 7, line 1.
  • The exact impact of these changes on the overall meaning of the bill is not fully explained in the amendment text provided.
HB0108SW003

Committee of the Whole • Senator Bouchard

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes the age limit from 21 to 18 for restrictions on selling THC vaping devices and edibles to minors.

  • Changes 'twenty-one (21)' to 'eighteen (18)' in multiple places throughout the bill.

Bill History

  1. 2023-02-27 LSO

    Assigned Chapter Number 99

  2. 2023-02-27 Governor

    Governor Signed HEA No. 0066

  3. 2023-02-24 Senate

    S President Signed HEA No. 0066

  4. 2023-02-24 House

    H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0066

  5. 2023-02-23 LSO

    Assigned Number HEA No. 0066

  6. 2023-02-23 House

    H Concur:Passed 59-1-2-0-0

  7. 2023-02-23 House

    H Received for Concurrence

  8. 2023-02-23 Senate

    S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-1-0-0-0

  9. 2023-02-22 Senate

    S 2nd Reading:Passed

  10. 2023-02-21 Senate

    S COW:Passed

  11. 2023-02-17 Senate

    S Placed on General File

  12. 2023-02-17 Senate

    S10 - Labor:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0

  13. 2023-02-09 Senate

    S Introduced and Referred to S10 - Labor

  14. 2023-02-09 Senate

    S Received for Introduction

  15. 2023-02-08 House

    H 3rd Reading:Passed 55-5-2-0-0

  16. 2023-02-07 House

    H 2nd Reading:Passed

  17. 2023-02-06 House

    H COW:Passed

  18. 2023-02-02 House

    H Placed on General File

  19. 2023-02-02 House

    H06 - Travel:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0

  20. 2023-01-20 House

    H Introduced and Referred to H06 - Travel

  21. 2023-01-11 House

    H Received for Introduction

  22. 2023-01-11 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 23LSO-0457
Bill No.:

HB0108

Effective:

7/1/2023

LSO No.:

23LSO-0457

Enrolled Act No.:

HEA No. 0066

Chapter No.:

99

Prime Sponsor:

Sommers

Catch Title:

Sale of THC vaping devices and edibles to minors-prohibited.

Subject:

Prohibiting the sale of THC vaping devices and edible products to persons under age 18.

Summary/Major Elements:

This act prohibits any person or retailer from selling edible products or vaping devices that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to persons under age eighteen (18).

For purposes of this act, THC edible products or vaping devices are those that contain the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, any psychoactive synthetic analog or any psychoactive isomer of tetrahydrocannabinol.

A person who violates this act is subject to a fine; the amount of the fine depends on the number of violations within a twenty-four (24) month period. A person who violates this act for a third or subsequent time within a twenty-four (24) month period may be subject to an injunction enjoining the person from selling edible products or vaping devices.

The act provides an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this act if the person selling the edible product or vaping device was presented with an identification that showed that the person was age eighteen (18) or older.

The act does not apply to the sale or dispensing of cannabidiol oil that contains less than
three
‑
tenths percent (0.3%)
of tetrahydrocannabinol to a parent or guardian for use by a child under age eighteen (18).

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
23LSO-0457

ORIGINAL House

ENGROSSED
Bill No
.
HB0108

ENROLLED ACT NO. 66,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2023 General Session

AN ACT relating to children; prohibiting the sale of edible products and vaping products containing tetrahydrocannabinol to persons under eighteen (18) years of age; providing definitions; specifying penalties, exceptions and affirmative defenses; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

W.S. 14
‑
3
‑
310 is created to read:

14
‑
3
‑
310.

Prohibited sales or delivery of edible products and vaping products.

(a)

No person or retailer shall sell, permit the sale, offer for sale, give away or deliver edible products or vaping products to any person under the age of eighteen (18) years.

(b)

Any person violating subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than:

(i)

Two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for a first violation committed within a twenty
‑
four (24) month period;

(ii)

Five hundred dollars ($500.00) for a second violation committed within a twenty
‑
four (24) month period;

(iii)

Seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) for a third or subsequent violation committed within a twenty
‑
four (24) month period.

(c)

In lieu of a fine under subsection (b) of this section, the court may allow the defendant to perform community service and be granted credit against his fine and court costs at the rate of ten dollars ($10.00) for each hour of work performed.

(d)

In addition to the penalties under this section, any person violating subsection (a) of this section for a third or subsequent time within a two (2) year period may be subject to an injunction. The department of revenue or the district attorney of the county in which the offense occurred, may petition the district court for an injunction to prohibit the sale of edible products or vaping products in the establishment where the violation occurred. If the court finds that the respondent in the action has violated the provisions of subsection (a) of this section for a third or subsequent time within a two (2) year period and may continue to violate such provisions, it may grant an injunction prohibiting the respondent from selling edible products or vaping products in the establishment where the violation occurred for a period of not more than one hundred eighty (180) days. For the purposes of this subsection, multiple violations occurring before the petition for the injunction is filed shall be deemed part of the violation for which the injunction is sought. If the person against whom the injunction is sought operates multiple, geographically separate establishments, the injunction shall apply only to the establishment where the violation occurred. The injunction shall prohibit all sales of edible products or vaping products in the establishment where the violation occurred, regardless of any change in ownership or management of the establishment that is not a bona fide, arms
‑
length transaction while the injunction is in effect.

(e)

It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under subsection (a) this section that, in the case of a sale, the person who sold the edible product or vaping product was presented with, and reasonably relied upon, an identification card which identified the person buying or receiving the edible product or vaping product as being over eighteen (18) years of age.

(f)

The prohibitions in this section shall not be construed to apply to the sale or dispensing of cannabidiol oil that has not more than three
‑
tenths percent (0.3%) of tetrahydrocannabinol to a parent or guardian for use by the parent's or guardian's child who is less than eighteen (18) years of age.

Section 2
.

W.S. 11
‑
51
‑
102(b), 14
‑
3
‑
301(a) by creating new paragraphs (viii) through (xi) and 35
‑
7
‑
1063(a)(iii) are amended to read:

11
‑
51
‑
102.

Hemp as agricultural crop; use of hemp.

(b)

Notwithstanding the requirements of this chapter, the possession, purchase, sale, transportation and use of hemp and hemp products by any person is allowable
without restriction
except as provided in W.S. 14
‑
3
‑
310
.

ARTICLE 3
SALE OF NICOTINE AND THC PRODUCTS

14
‑
3
‑
301.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in this article:

(viii)

"Edible products" means any product intended for consumption, including but not limited to baked goods, candies, gummies and liquids, that contains tetrahydrocannabinol, a controlled substance listed under W.S. 35
‑
7
‑
1014(d)(xiii) or (xxi) or their analogs;

(ix)

"Tetrahydrocannabinol" means:

(A)

The psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, with the scientific name trans
‑
delta 9
‑
tetrahydrocannabinol;

(B)

Psychoactive synthetic analogs of tetrahydrocannabinol; or

(C)

Any psychoactive structural, optical or geometric isomers of tetrahydrocannabinol.

(x)

"Vaping products" mean any device containing tetrahydrocannabinol that is being or has been used to deliver aerosolized or vaporized tetrahydrocannabinol to the person using the device and includes any component, part and accessory of the device and any vapor material intended to be aerosolized or vaporized during the use of the device. "Vaping products" include, without limitation, any electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, electronic hooka, vapor pen and any similar product or device that uses or contains tetrahydrocannabinol. "Vaping products" do not include a battery or battery charger if sold separately from the vaping product and do not include any product regulated as a drug or device by the United States food and drug administration under subchapter V of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

(xi)

"Analog" means a substance:

(A)

Whose chemical structure is substantially similar to the chemical structure of a controlled substance listed under W.S. 35-7-1014(d)(xiii) or (xxi); or

(B)

That has a stimulant, depressant or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to or greater than the stimulant, depressant or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system of a controlled substance listed under W.S. 35
‑
7
‑
1014(d)(xiii) or (xxi).

35
‑
7
‑
1063.

Exceptions to provisions.

(a)

The provisions and penalties of this chapter shall not apply to:

(iii)

Hemp production, processing or testing in accordance with the provisions of W.S. 11
‑
51
‑
101 through 11
‑
51
‑
107
and 14
‑
3
‑
310
.

Section 3
.

This act is effective July 1, 2023
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

1