“We are in a sort of wild west situation. It’s gray. Delta-8 is being sold throughout the state in gas stations and health food stores em>
By Liam Niemeyer. Kentucky Lantern
A court decision last year clarified the legality of an illicit compound derived form hemp. On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a bill to regulate Delta-8 THC.
Delta-8 THC, which is similar to Delta-9 THC found in marijuana, can give users a “high”. Delta-8 THC is a synthetically converted form of CBD-rich hemp that has been used by hemp farmers to create edibles and vapes.
After a series police raids on Delta-8 THC products by the Kentucky Hemp Association, in 2021, the state was sued by the association. The association claimed that Delta-8 THC had been made legal by a previous federal Farm Bill. The association’s president stated that it is now advocating for “common-sense rules” regarding the sale and production.
“We are in a sort of wild west situation. It’s a grey area. Delta-8 is being sold throughout the state and can be found in gas stations and health food stores,” Katie Moyer of the Kentucky Hemp Association said. It’s not certain that it comes from Kentucky hemp producers, but we can visit their farm, their facilities, and see for ourselves.
House Bill 544 was sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Raymer (R-Morgantown) and made technical language changes to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services as of Wednesday. These “shell” bills are commonly known as procedural maneuvers that allow a lawmaker substitute the language of a bill to move forward with the legislation beyond the deadline.
The Kentucky Hemp Association supports the new bill language. It directs the Cabinet for Health and Family Services immediately to regulate Delta-8 THC and other hemp-derived substances.
The legislation requires the cabinet to create regulations that prohibit anyone under 21 from purchasing or possessing Delta-8-THC products. It also mandates that Delta-8 THC products are produced in Kentucky, properly tested, and labeled.
Democratic governor. Andy Beshear issued an Executive Order in November 2022, directing the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to regulate Delta-8 THC after the Boone County Court ruling.
Thursday afternoon, the House approved the bill 97 to 0.
David Meade (Speaker Pro Tem), a Republican from Stanford, was a cosponsor of this bill. He stated that “nothing has been done” since Beshear’s executive order.
Meade stated that he had received numerous requests from local sheriffs and school officials asking him to take action on the issue. “What is sad is that this is necessary to inform the governor to do right and move the regs forward.
A spokesperson from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services didn’t immediately respond to a request.
Kentucky Hemp Association opposed a bill that would have banned Delta-8 THC products last year, but it was ultimately defeated in the House.
Kentucky Lantern published this story for the first time.
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Photo by Brendan Cleak.
The post Kentucky House passes a bill to regulate Delta-8 THC Products originally appeared on Marijuana Moment.
