Delta-8 THC

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) has signed an executive order to ban the sale of intoxicating, hemp-derived products in the state starting September 1.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent cease-and-desist letters to five companies selling hemp-derived THC products, accusing them of marketing to children by using packaging similar to mainstream, popular foods.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) has signed into law bills to regulate consumer hemp products and decriminalize the possession of cannabis paraphernalia.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed a hemp regulations package that would have banned products containing hemp-derived delta-8 THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids.

Louisiana state representatives last week rejected an outright ban on the state’s burgeoning hemp products industry. Instead, state senators passed a House-approved proposal to increase restrictions on products containing hemp-derived THC.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is reportedly considering vetoing the legislature’s ban on products containing hemp-derived delta-8 THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids in hopes that the hemp industry will help defeat Florida’s upcoming cannabis legalization ballot initiative.

An amendment to the House version of the Farm Bill would effectively ban the sale of hemp-derived delta-8 THC products and other hemp-derived intoxicating products. The amendment, however, is far from guaranteed to pass the divided House and Senate to become law.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) has signed a bill imposing THC caps on cannabinoid-infused hemp products, limiting THC content to 4 milligrams per serving and 10 milligrams per container.

Cannabis-related pediatric visits to the emergency room have declined in Virginia under restrictions on intoxicating hemp products adopted last year.

While Texas lawmakers consider banning certain hemp-derived cannabinoids, Hometown Hero — an Austin-based company retailing hemp THC and CBD products — has announced the launch of the Texas Hemp Business Council (THBC), a new nonprofit hemp industry trade group.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed into law the state’s hemp regulation proposal — the new law creates a licensing program for the cultivation, manufacturing, and retail of industrial hemp products, and sets the age requirement to purchase or possess such products at 21.

To protect youth from exposure to cannabinoid products, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed state officials to warn industrial hemp product retailers that selling improperly labeled products is a crime that could lead to a revoked license.

A 55% majority of Massachusetts residents believe that intoxicating hemp products should only be sold in state-licensed cannabis dispensaries, according to a recent poll.

Missouri AG Andrew Bailey has launched an investigation into illicit vape and cannabis product distributors in the state, sending civil investigative demands to 22 companies selling delta-8 and delta-9 THC products.

The Louisiana House and Senate have passed competing bills to either regulate or ban, respectively, hemp-derived THC consumables in the state.

The largest cannabis trade association in Illinois is calling for lawmakers to ban the sale of hemp-derived delta-8 THC products as the products — which are currently unregulated — compete directly with the state’s cannabis operators.

The Iowa Senate this week sent a bill to the governor that would limit hemp-derived THC products to individuals aged 21+, and sent another bill to the House that would double the number of medical cannabis dispensaries in the state from 5 to 10.

In a recent letter, 22 attorneys general called on members of Congress to tighten federal rules on hemp-derived cannabinoid products, arguing that the 2018 federal Farm Bill “unleashed… a flood of products that are nothing less than a more potent form of cannabis.”

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed into law two cannabis regulation bills this week: one to allow law enforcement and other government agencies to search medical cannabis businesses, and one to ban intoxicating hemp products in the state.

A recent study published in JAMA reveals that 11.4% of U.S. 12th graders reported using delta-8 THC in the past year, with usage patterns varying by region and state cannabis laws, highlighting concerns over the regulatory oversight of this emerging cannabinoid.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes ruled that hemp-derived delta-8 THC cannabis products cannot be sold by companies that do not hold an adult-use cannabis license.

The Wyoming proposal to ban delta-8 THC and other synthetic hemp-derived cannabinoids was signed into law by Republican Gov. Mark Gordon last week.