An Arkansas law banning THC products derived from hemp takes effect August 1, 40/29 News reports. The ban comes as the state’s medical cannabis sales are projected to reach a record $300 million this year.
Products covered under the ban include hemp-derived delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC, and delta-10 THC. Each will also be included on the state’s controlled substances list. The law also includes provisions requiring any retailer that wishes to sell any hemp-derived consumable products to get a permit from Arkansas Tobacco Control.
Dawn Harpell, the owner of a CBD and hemp store in Rogers, told 40/29 News that some of her customers have given up their medical cannabis registry cards and frequent her shop instead because her shop is “a little bit cheaper” than the medical cannabis dispensaries in the state.
“Our business has gone from CBD to predominantly delta-8 and all of those products. So it’s become 70% to 80% of my business over the last two years. So if they take that away, I’m pretty much going to have to close my doors because what am I going to sell?” — Harpell to 40/29 News
The measure was signed into law by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in April.
The law does not prevent hemp-derived products from being transported through the state.
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