Alabama lawmakers target hemp-derived cannabinoids, while Connecticut reshapes its cannabis and hemp regulations. Discover the latest legislative moves.
Hemp is on the minds of lawmakers across the country, and legislation aimed at hemp-derived cannabinoids is on the move in a number of statehouses. Here's the latest from the US Hemp Roundtable on bills it is supporting, opposing, or monitoring:
Alabama
Although the state has an age-limited regulated sales framework for hemp-derived psychoactive cannabinoids, lawmakers continue to try to shut it down. Earlier in the year, Senate Bill 1 was filed. It would virtually wipe out the state's market by classifying hemp-derived psychoactive cannabinoids, including Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC, as Schedule I controlled substances and repealing the existing regulated sales framework. It is before the Senate Committee on Healthcare.
It has now been joined by Senate Bill 321, which would achieve the same end by removing the current statutory exemption for hemp-derived THC and limit the exemption to non-intoxicating cannabinoids. Hemp-derived psychoactive cannabinoids would be treated as controlled substances, regardless of source. This bill is now also before the Senate Healthcare Committee.
The US Hemp Roundtable opposes both bills and urges Alabama residents to contact lawmakers and tell them to vote no at the Alabama Action Center.
Connecticut
House Bill 5350 would redo the state's existing cannabis and hemp regulatory framework by changing the definition of cannabis to include high-THC hemp products and expressly excluding cannabis plants containing less than 0.3 percent THC, infused beverages, and certain commercial extracts.
The bill increases the THC limits for beverages to 5 milligrams per container when sold at liquor-licensed establishments and 10 mg per container at marijuana-licensed establishments. It also allows for the manufacture of higher-THC beverages, but limits those to out-of-state sales. It also creates a comprehensive regulatory scheme for infused beverages, including licensing, testing, labeling, distribution channel requirements, age verification, fees, and on-premises consumption endorsements.
The US Hemp Roundtable neither supports nor opposes this bill but will continue to monitor its progress.
Kentucky
Filed last month, Senate Bill 223 would regulate cannabis-infused beverages by folding them into the state's existing framework for regulating alcohol. It also foresees licensing other qualified retailers, including hemp retail establishments, to sell cannabis-infused beverages and establishes a clear, workable regulatory pathway under the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
But another bill before lawmakers, House Bill 612, would impose a tax of $0.16 per milligram of THC on hemp-derived cannabinoid products. That tax rate would dramatically drive up consumer prices and act as a prohibition-level tax on hemp products. It also creates new licensing fees, enforcement penalties, and liability provisions that would significantly increase the regulatory burden on hemp retailers and restrict market participation.
The US Hemp Roundtable supports SB 223 and opposes HB 612 and urges Kentuckians to use the Kentucky Action Center to contact lawmakers and let them know where you stand.
Louisiana
House Bill 539 would let bars and restaurants sell hemp consumables, including hemp beverages. It does not change THC limits or create new regulations. Introduced late last month, it is pending before the House Judiciary Committee.
The US Hemp Roundtable supports this bill and urges Louisianans to tell their lawmakers to support it, too, at the Louisiana Action Center.
Oklahoma
House Bill 4248 sets age limits to 21 and up for hemp beverages. It has received a "do pass" from the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Controlled Substances Subcommittee of the House Health and Human Services Oversight Committee and now awaits a vote of the full committee.
The US Hemp Roundtable supports this bill and encourages Oklahomans to contact the lawmakers to urge them to support it as well, as the Oklahoma Action Center.
Rhode Island
Introduced last week, House Bill 7856 would centralize the state's cannabis regulatory regime but leave specific THC potency limits to administrative rulemaking rather than statute. It would require procedures to prevent sales to people under age 21 and mandates child-resistant packaging. It also calls for comprehensive testing, including THC content labeling and standards for contaminant screening.
The bill would also prohibit advertising for cannabis products in any medium that could be viewed by minors—a provision that would appear to run afoul of the First Amendment and could limit lawful marketing and promotional activity.
The US Hemp Roundtable neither supports nor opposes this legislation, but says that if it passes, it will carefully monitor the rulemaking process, especially in regard to THC caps and marketing restrictions.
South Carolina
House Bill 3924 has already passed the House, won a key committee vote in the Senate, and now awaits a Senate floor vote. This bill would ban any hemp products capable of producing a "psychoactive reaction," a broad and idiosyncratic definition that would result in a ban on virtually all hemp-derived edibles and consumables. It does, however, allow for hemp-derived beverages containing up to 10 milligrams of THC per container.
Saying passage of the bill would result in the forced closure of some 1,800 small retail stores in the state, the US Hemp Roundtable opposes the bill and urges South Carolinians to use the South Carolina Action Center to tell lawmakers to kill this bill.