A Delaware lawmaker has pulled a bill that sought to restrict the sale of intoxicating hemp products to state-licensed cannabis stores and only allow sales of cannabis-infused beverages at liquor stores, WHYY News reports. State Rep. Debra Heffernan (D) indicated she pulled the proposal after pushback from CBD store owners, customers, and cannabis advocates, but that she plans to create a new bill “in the coming months” for consideration next session.
“While I still believe in the importance of increasing safety testing and ensuring age verification for cannabinoid intoxicating products, I believe that further and wider conversations need to be had with business owners in this area and our new marijuana commissioner.” — Heffernan, in a statement posted to Facebook
Joshua Sanderlin, Delaware’s Marijuana Commissioner, told WHYY News last week that he believes cannabis-infused drinks should be sold at retail dispensaries as long as they are produced in the state. He added that “there are no regulations” on intoxicating hemp products produced outside of Delaware and that “getting some” regulations and testing for the products “is the most important thing” facing regulators.
Jena Murray, president of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable who works for a CBD company and is a resident of Delaware, told WHYY that an email campaign by her organization’s members and media stories led to Heffernan’s decision to pull the bill. She said the hemp industry in the state is looking forward to assisting in crafting “a bill that is really comprehensive and robust to protect children and adults as well.”
