BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – On January 1, 2025, the laws surrounding THC and CBD products will change across Louisiana. It not only lowers the amount of THC and CBD that can be sold in stores from 8mg to 5mg, but it also changes the minimum age to 21. It also bans gas stations from selling the products.
Those who pushed for this law say it will be safer for consumers because it will require the higher potency products be tested and regulated and ultimately sold in a licensed dispensary. However, one store owner says his business will see drastic changes because of the few bad actors in the hemp industry.
Jordan Younes is the owner of 420 Smoke and Liquor shop locations across south Louisiana. He says at least 40% of their inventory consists of products that will need to be disposed of. They will then have to source lower-strength products and explain to consumers why their products are changing. He says it hurts their credibility as a store when they have complied with everything thus far.
“At the end, it’s not good for either of us as owner as business owners or the consumer. Someone is making money, but not us anymore. Going to be the dispensaries,” Younes says. “With us having all this inconsistency, that makes us look bad to the public, to the customer.”
Younes says they will lose business, and so will the state, though he says they are selling legitimate and safe products. He says consumers will likely end up paying for the higher dosage products by sourcing it out of state or getting medical marijuana cards.
CEO of Capitol Wellness Solutions, Dr. Randy J Mire, says there are many shops and places like gas stations, that have taken advantage of the loophole and have hurt patients. He says this law stemmed from consumer complaints. This law does not impact his products – as Capitol Wellness Solutions is in the Therapeutic Marijuana industry, not the hemp industry.
Also starting Wednesday, consumable hemp products, not including drinks, must be kept behind the sales counter. Plus, any restaurants and bars who didn’t get a permit before June will no longer be able to sell hemp-derived THC products.
Click here to report a typo. Please include the headline.
Click here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2024 WAFB. All rights reserved.
On January 1, 2025, the laws surrounding THC and CBD products will change across Louisiana. Read More
