Cheech and Chong’s Hemp Ban Pause Request Denied by L.A. Judge

An emergency ban on California hemp food products with detectable THC levels remains in place after a Los Angeles state judge denied a request from the industry to issue a temporary restraining order.

California has a significant interest in closing the loophole that allows hemp manufacturers to sell products with high levels of THC outside the regulated cannabis market, California Superior Court, Los Angeles County Judge Stephen I. Goorvitch wrote in a Friday order.

He pointed to advertising text from companies such as Cheech and Chong’s Cannabis Co., one of the plaintiffs in the suit, that touts hemp products as ...