Fate of Florida’s hemp industry is in DeSantis’ hands
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida bill that hemp industry leaders say will cost them their livelihoods is just a step away from becoming law.
On Wednesday, the Florida Senate unanimously passed SB-1698, which would ban delta-8 THC products like vapes and edibles.
Fiery wrong-way crash shuts down ramp between I-4 and Selmon Expy. in Tampa
The cannabis plant contains hundreds of cannabinoids. Delta-9 is a psychoactive compound – the thing that makes you feel “high” – and is commonly referred to as just “THC.” Under Florida law, it can only legally be sold at state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries.
Similar cannabinoids like delta-8 and delta-10 mimic the effects of the main psychoactive compound, but are allowed to be sold in Florida through something of a legal loophole. The 2018 farm bill permitted the production of hemp and hemp-derived products, but only if they have less than 0.3% delta-9 THC.
It ushered in a booming cannabis industry nationwide, and six years later, delta-8 is sold anywhere from gas stations to online specialty retailers.
The bill that would cap THC at two milligrams per serving and 10 milligrams total per container.
Its opponents include people who use hemp-derived products for medical reasons, business owners who say the sweeping restrictions would eliminate jobs, and people from across the ideological spectrum who think it was written to whittle down the competition for existing dispensaries if recreational marijuana became legal.
Legislatures from the Tampa Bay area sponsored both the House and Senate versions of the bill. Sen. Colleen Burton’s district includes the northern half of Polk County and Rep. Tommy Gregory represents part of Manatee County.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
