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Present Trump Passes PACT Act, Restricting Vape Shipping

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Present Trump Passes PACT Act, Restricting Vape Shipping

The most recent spending bill was first introduced on December 21. It contained almost 5,600 pages, and included a $600 stimulus check for each citizen. There was also a little-known but very important section that prohibits the shipping of e-cigarettes and vape products through the United States Postal Service (USPS). To find this section, people must look specifically on page 5,136 for the PACT Act. There was a chance the PACT Act would change as President Trump held off signing the bill. However, he signed the bill, putting all provisions listed in the bill into motion.

Lawmakers originally called the bill “Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act.” The purpose was to prevent the sale of nicotine products to minors. This new law changed to the PACT (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking) Act. Under the PACT Act, the USPS would need to set restrictions and regulations on vapor products whether they contain nicotine or not. Unfortunately, these restrictions apply to cannabis and cannabinoid products as well. 

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Many companies are outraged and seeking reform. Different shipping methods will need to be explored. Independent companies, like UPS and Fedex, tend to be more expensive than USPS. It could lead to companies increasing their prices to cover the cost of shipping, decreasing their overall profit. Many negative impacts could happen for various companies. There could be fewer orders because things become more expensive. Additionally, workers could be let go because companies can no longer afford to keep them. This would be in direct response to a drop in orders because product is now more expensive. This unnecessary regulation will hurt the industry as a whole, and it is still unclear just how much. It has the potential to send a booming industry into shambles. The hemp industry has grown through the pandemic. It’s projected to grow about five times more than what it is at now. Expansion would increase sales tax revenue and jobs for citizens both federally and on the state level.

Before being able to search for third party shipping companies, FedEx made a statement. “As of March 1, 2021, FedEx will begin prohibiting electronic cigarettes, vaping liquids, and other vaping products in the FedEx global network.” This significantly narrows down the shipping companies available.

While lawmakers continue to push against the PACT act, it goes into effect 90 days after President Trump signed the bill. The bill received a signature on December 27, 2020. Companies are scrambling to search for shipping options and charging consumers all in one. It’s a matter of waiting now to see what happens in different companies and see what solutions they can find.

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