Puerto Rico’s 2025 Hemp Labeling Crackdown: Cannabis Retail and E-Commerce Risks
The regulatory landscape for cannabis compliance in Puerto Rico shifted sharply in 2025, as the island’s House Health Committee launched high-profile hearings into shops selling high-THC or synthetic cannabis products as "hemp." This campaign targets especially the growing number of souvenir, convenience, and tourist shops—many centered in San Juan and resort districts—as well as online e-commerce sellers shipping products into Puerto Rico.
Below, we explain the current legal framework, review anticipated labeling and potency restrictions, outline compliance risks for local and mainland sellers, and provide a practical toolkit to keep your cannabis business aligned with the latest Puerto Rico hemp labeling 2025 cannabis retail enforcement requirements.
Puerto Rico’s Legal Landscape: Medical Cannabis vs. Industrial Hemp
Medical Cannabis Program
- Puerto Rico’s medical marijuana laws—in force since 2015—allow possession and purchase exclusively by registered patients with a Department of Health-issued card aged 21 or older.
- Sales occur only via licensed dispensaries regulated by the Department of Health.
- Out-of-state reciprocity provisions exist, letting visiting medical patients access the program in Puerto Rico.
- Smoking cannabis remains banned, with products instead sold as tinctures, oils, topicals, and edibles.
Industrial Hemp Legal Definition
- Puerto Rico allows production and sale of industrial hemp products containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, in accordance with the federal 2018 Farm Bill and USDA guidelines.
- The Office of Cannabis Regulation (OLIC) oversees licensing of hemp imports, crops, and product authorizations (over 677 product SKUs authorized as of 2025).
- Any hemp-derived product exceeding 0.3% THC, or produced synthetically (including Delta-8 and chemically converted intoxicating cannabinoids), is considered an illegal cannabis product.
- Only specifically authorized businesses may import, process, or sell qualifying hemp products.
The 2025 House Committee Hearings: What’s Changing?
In spring and summer 2025, Puerto Rico’s House Health Committee, led by Rep. Gabriel Rodríguez-Aguiló, responded to rising complaints about “hemp” products with intoxicating effects—often above the legal 0.3% THC threshold—being widely retailed outside the licensed medical dispensary system. Health Secretary Dr. Víctor Ramos-Otero emphasized:
“Industrial hemp with 0.3% THC or less is federally legal; products exceeding this limit — particularly those with synthetic modifications — are illegal in both Puerto Rico and the mainland U.S.” (source).
These hearings have kicked off efforts toward:
- Potential legislative amendments tightening the definition of legal hemp.
- Enhanced penalties and enforcement sweeps for unlicensed sales at souvenir shops, convenience stores, and other non-medical retailers.
- Targeted crackdowns on e-commerce shipments into Puerto Rico, especially for products originating from the mainland.
Anticipated 2025 Compliance Rules & Labeling Requirements
Likely New Requirements
- Potency Limits: Maximum 0.3% Delta-9 THC by weight. Some proposals discuss adopting a “total THC” model (including all THC isomers).
- Cannabinoid Labeling: Full breakdown of all measurable cannabinoids (THC, CBD, Delta-8, etc.)—not just “hemp.”
- Spanish-Language Packaging: All consumer-facing labels and warnings must be in Spanish; English may supplement but not replace primary language.
- QR Codes Linking to Lab COAs: Labels must include QR codes linking to up-to-date third-party Certificates of Analysis (COA), showing batch-level potency, ingredients, and manufacturing safety results.
- Age Restrictions: Retailers must implement 21+ age-gating, with ID verification recommended at point-of-sale and delivery, for all cannabinoid products.
- SKU Rationalization: Exclusion of any product type with synthetic conversion, intoxicating effects, or incomplete cannabinoid disclosure.
Enforcement and Penalties
- Violations may result in product seizures, fines, license revocations, and criminal charges.
- Regulatory notifications are sent by OLIC via email and certified mail; businesses must respond promptly to avoid escalation.
Stay updated directly at Puerto Rico Office of Cannabis Regulation.
Impact on Convenience, Souvenir, and Tourist Retailers
Which Businesses are at Risk?
- Shops in high-foot-traffic tourist zones—selling tinctures, vapes, or edibles labeled as “hemp” but containing intoxicating THC, Delta-8, or similar cannabinoids.
- Vendors without official OLIC or Department of Health cannabis or hemp licenses.
- Online/mail-order operations shipping questionable cannabinoid products by USPS or private carriers to PR addresses.
Regulatory Hotspots
- “Convenience” and “souvenir” outlets are top targets for surprise compliance checks and undercover stings.
- Bulk seizures of improperly labeled or illegal products are anticipated in Q4 2025 holiday and spring break tourist seasons.
- Social media marketing and travel brochures are monitored for unlawful claims.
Businesses should audit current inventory and marketing strategies immediately.
E-Commerce & Cross-Border Risks: Payments, Shipping, and Customs
Inbound Shipments: Mainland to PR
- Customs and island regulators have increased scrutiny on cannabinoid shipments, with potential for bulk detentions at ports and mail centers.
- Any product declared as “hemp” but testing above 0.3% THC (or lacking QR-linked COA documentation) may be confiscated or destroyed.
Role of Payment Processors and Carriers
- Merchant banks and major payment processors (Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Stripe) are tightening account reviews for PR-linked e-commerce sites selling hemp or cannabinoid products, requiring proof of compliance.
- USPS and private carriers may refuse shipments, delay delivery, or report suspected violations if labeling or content appears non-compliant.
- Businesses may face closure of merchant accounts or shipping privileges after regulatory complaints.
1. Spanish-Language, Detailed Labels
- Ensure all products list precise cannabinoid content (not just “CBD” or “hemp”), in Spanish, with required warnings (e.g., age 21+, intoxication risks).
2. QR-Linked Certificates of Analysis
- Every product batch must come with a QR code linking to a valid, third-party laboratory COA. The COA should be up-to-date, show individual cannabinoid results (THC, Delta-8, etc.), and be easily accessible from any mobile device.
3. Exclude Intoxicating or Synthetic “Hemp” SKUs
- Remove from sale any product containing synthetic cannabinoids, Delta-8, Delta-10, THCO, HHC, or “total THC” exceeding 0.3%.
- Vet all supply chain partners to ensure their compliance with PR law and OLIC product authorization.
4. 21+ Policies and ID Verification
- Mandate age 21+ for all cannabinoid product sales, online and in-store. Implement ID scanning or robust verification at both point of sale and delivery for e-commerce orders.
- Keep clear documentation separating medical-cannabis-only SKUs (dispensary use) from authorized industrial hemp items for wider retail.
- Proper records will help demonstrate compliance in the event of enforcement or audit.
- Geofence websites or refuse transactions from PR addresses unless your products, payment flows, and shipping methods are fully compliant with PR regulations.
- Maintain clear customer documentation and be ready to provide COAs, shipping records, and transaction histories if regulators request.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for 2025 and Beyond?
With legislative momentum behind stricter labeling, potency, and marketing rules for hemp and cannabinoid products, Puerto Rico businesses (and mainland sellers serving the island) must proactively adapt to avoid costly enforcement.
Key Takeaways for Businesses and Consumers:
- Only sell or purchase hemp products with 0.3% total THC or less.
- Require detailed, Spanish-language labels plus QR-linked, batch-specific COAs.
- Exclude all synthetic, intoxicating cannabinoids from sale.
- For e-commerce sellers: Review payment and shipping compliance before marketing to PR customers.
Stay ahead by monitoring state regulatory updates and leveraging cannabis compliance specialists.
Protect your business—access up-to-date regulatory guidance, compliance checklists, and personalized support for the Puerto Rico hemp market at CannabisRegulations.ai.
