Florida Proposal Would Regulate Intoxicating Hemp Products

Florida state Sen. Tracie Davis (D) introduced legislation this week containing regulations on hemp-derived cannabinoid products after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) vetoed a similar bill last year, the Florida Phoenix reports.

The proposal would ban hemp-derived delta-8 THC products outright, and would restrict the levels of delta-9 THC in hemp products to two milligrams per serving and 20 milligrams per container. The bill would also ban smokable hemp concentrates, ban the sale of hemp products in gas stations, ban hemp stores from being located within 500 feet of a school, and heavily restrict hemp product advertising.

Kerry Hinkle, director of membership and public affairs for the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, told the Florida Phoenix the proposal would cripple the state’s budding hemp industry.

“This bill would ban the vast majority of hemp products on the market and implement excessively burdensome marketing and packaging rules that harm legitimate hemp businesses.” — Hinkle, in the report

Florida lawmakers delivered a bill to ban intoxicating hemp products to Gov. DeSantis last year but the governor ultimately vetoed the bill. With the veto, however, the governor won support from hemp companies in his fight against the state’s adult-use cannabis legalization bid last year, which proved unsuccessful at the ballot.