Since this law went into effect on July 1, we have removed more than 80,000 packages around the state.
By Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix
In Florida, the hemp industry was worried about its future. It was relieved when legislators dropped a proposal to limit THC levels in hemp-derived products .
The sponsors of the legislation, Polk County Republican Colleen Burt in the Senate and Manatee County Republican Will Robinson the House, hinted on Wednesday that they might revisit the hemp limit in the 2024 legislative sessions.
Burton, speaking at Tampa General Hospital’s roundtable discussion, said: “This summer we hoped to see a federal reenactment and possibly change the definition of hemp.”
She met with Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson to discuss efforts by the state to protect children against high-potency products made from hemp. We were expecting to see the farm bill pass, but that hasn’t occurred.
The federal government may reregulate the hemp industry in the next Farm Bill reauthorization, which should happen this year. However, Congress has not yet agreed on any legislation.
Robinson stated that they were hopeful Congress would pass a new Farm Bill. Robinson said, “But we are not confident that Congress will pass something regarding an update on the Farm Bill.”
The 2018 U.S. Farm Bill made hemp legal in the United States, and introduced intoxicating cannabinoids derived from hemp to the general public. The FDA says that Delta-8 has a psychoactive and intoxicating effect. However, those who have used it report that it gives a lighter, more relaxed feeling. It is sold at smoke and CBD shops throughout the state.
Nearly half of the state legislatures in the United States have either banned or regulated the use of the product since it was introduced to the market.
The bill Robinson and Burton originally sponsored during the session of 2023 would have limited the THC content (the main psychoactive component in cannabis) in products made from hemp. However, it was fiercely resisted by members of the hemp industry and regular Floridians that claim they use the product to manage physical pain.
The bill in the House for example set THC limits of not exceeding 5 milligrams or 50 milligrams each package, and prohibited the sale of these products to anyone younger than 21.
In the end, the sponsors of the bill removed the provision which would have limited the THC amount.
Robinson told The Phoenix on Wednesday, “We simply ran out of time.” We had to make it through the last committee hearing, and we had 80 per cent of the bill on which everyone… voted, and we could all agree, so let’s get that piece done, which we did. This allows Simpson’s office and Commissioner Simpson to continue the excellent work they are doing. We may revisit the piece of legislation in the future.”
Simpson wanted to send the message to the public at the roundtable held Wednesday at Tampa General Hospital that the state was determined to stop THC-hemp product from reaching the hands of kids.
The law prohibits the sale to anyone under 21. The law prohibits marketing to children and packaging that looks like candy.
Simpson stated that since the law took effect on July 1, over 80,000 packages have been removed from all around the state. We will be checking up on these companies to ensure that this material is removed from our stores.
“We have seen in Florida Poison Information Center, Tampa, a significant increase in cases of exposure to these THC products with high potency over the past few years,” said Justin Arnold. “In 2022 we had 933 exposure cases in children. Of these, almost half (44%) resulted hospitalization. This is quite significant. “And 29 percent of kids exposed to this substance had mild or severe effects.”
Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (DACS) is working to adopt new rules for state hemp program, which include packaging and labeling requirements. Simpson stated that the process would continue in the coming months.
The Florida Phoenix published this story first.
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The article Florida could see further restrictions on hemp products in 2024 session first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
