New Jersey Assembly passes hemp beverage deadline extension, sending S4635 to governor

The New Jersey Assembly has passed Senate Bill 4635 by 75 votes to 2 and sent it to Governor Mikie Sherrill. The Senate approved it 37 to 0 on 22 October. The governor's signature is the last step, and the bill would take effect immediately.

The bill, sponsored by Senate President Nicholas Scutari, would replace the 13 November deadline for sales of intoxicating hemp beverages by businesses licensed by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. The new "federal compliance date" would be 11 December 2026 or the date the applicable federal hemp restrictions take effect, whichever is later. It could not fall before 11 December, even if a federal spending agreement expires or is not renewed.

Without the bill, new restrictions would start on 14 November. The bill would also extend the period in which authorised hemp producers may possess or transport intermediate hemp materials above 0.3% THC while they are being processed. Age limits, testing requirements and the online sales ban stay in place.

The article does not say when the governor must act.

What this means

Our analysis: the bill adds 28 days of state-law room (13 November to 11 December), but it does not touch the federal timetable, which splits by cannabinoid type.

Federal dates differ by product

Green Ark's knowledge base records that Pub. L. 119-37 §781 (enacted 12 November 2025) moves the federal hemp definition to a total-THC test. That section is enacted but not yet in effect. The synthetic-cannabinoid exclusion takes effect on 12 November 2026. Section 2019 of Pub. L. 119-103 (signed 2 September 2026) delayed most other provisions, including the 0.4 mg per-container limit, to 11 December 2026. The bill's "later of" wording tracks that second date and would absorb any further federal delay without new legislation.

For licensed beverage sellers and their counsel: products with non-naturally-occurring cannabinoids face federal restrictions from the earlier date, with only naturally occurring cannabinoids getting the extra time. It does not say how the bill treats the first group. Check the bill text before assuming a state extension covers them.

The per-container limit is the longer-term question

From 11 December, the knowledge base says final products are excluded from hemp if they contain more than 0.4 mg combined total per container of THC and similar-effect cannabinoids. Our analysis: any beverage above 0.4 mg per can or bottle would fall outside the federal definition once that limit applies. The bill's state-law date does not change that. The knowledge base also says the FDA lists of naturally occurring cannabinoids, and the "container" clarification, were due within 90 days of enactment. The source page carries a headline saying researchers found they remain unpublished, but we have not seen that report.

For producers and importers: map each formulation against the 12 November and 11 December dates, and plan inventory sell-through to match.

Limits

• We have no news on whether the governor has signed, and no data on the number of New Jersey licensees or the size of the market yet.
• We do not have the Pub. L. 119-103 text, so the exact list of provisions moved to 11 December is unverified. The knowledge base's events calendar lists the federal ban around 12 November without showing the 11 December split.

Sources

• Green Ark knowledge base, United States: the November 2026 total-THC definition change (enacted, not effective): https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-119publ37/html/PLAW-119publ37.htm
• Green Ark knowledge base, United States: the 2025 total-THC reference change and implementation dates: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-119publ103/html/PLAW-119publ103.htm
• Green Ark knowledge base, United States: risk outlook for hemp (non-binding guidance), including the 12 November and 11 December dates: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/04/2026-08595/specific-listing-for-hexahydrocannabinol
• Green Ark knowledge base, California: hemp and intoxicating cannabinoids (in force): https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OLS/Pages/DPH-24-005-Emergency-and-Regular_Rulemaking-Regulations-for-Industrial-Hemp.aspx