[[“value”:”HEMP RULES: Consumable hemp products, like Delta-8 THC, would be regulated by the Arkansas Tobacco Control Board under a proposed bill. Credit: Matthew Martin
A bill that would place the consumable hemp industry under the regulation of the Arkansas Tobacco Control Board passed the state Senate today. It next heads to a House committee
SB533, sponsored by Sen. Tyler Dees (R-Siloam Springs) and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R-Paragould) would place a statewide regulatory structure around the sizable consumable hemp industry with products like Delta-8 THC.
The bill passed with 26 senators in favor and none voting against the measure. Six senators voted present.
The consumable hemp industry has flourished in a legal gray area since Congress legalized hemp and its derivatives in the 2018 federal Farm Bill. Although Congress defined hemp as cannabis plants with low THC values, some psychoactive compounds can be extracted from hemp plants despite their low concentration of THC.
Arkansas, like many states, has struggled with how to regulate the psychoactive products that fall outside the scope of the state medical marijuana framework. Delta-8 products are not sold in the state’s medical marijuana dispensaries.
Two years ago, Dees and Gazaway sponsored and passed a bill to outlaw hemp-derived THC products but the ban didn’t last long. The hemp industry challenged the law in court and a judge put the law on hold while the case plays out, allowing the products back on the shelves. The lawsuit is still in federal court and no ruling has been made.
A separate bill, SB605 by Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy), would place a 50% tax on gross proceeds of hemp-derived products. The bill passed the Senate Revenue and Tax Committee on Wednesday and will next head to the full Senate.
“]] A bill in the Arkansas legislature would put the Arkansas Tobacco Control Division in charge of regulating consumable hemp products. Read More
