Florida Senate Votes to Ban Delta-8 THC

The Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday that would outlaw products containing delta-8 THC and further restrict the state’s hemp industry, the Florida Phoenix reports.

In addition to banning delta-8 products, the proposal, which is sponsored by state Sen. Colleen Burton (R), would establish THC caps for consumer hemp products at 2 milligrams per serving, and 10 milligrams per package or container. The bill seeks to build upon regulations brought by Burton last year that prohibited the sale of hemp THC products to individuals younger than 21 years old.

The latest proposal also prohibits hemp products that could be perceived as appealing to children, including “products that are manufactured in the shape or packaged in containers displaying humans, cartoons, or animals, toys or other features that specifically target children,” the report said.

“When we passed the hemp program, it was not in anticipation of highly intoxicated, sometimes psychoactive substances being ingested by Floridians. The concerns we have had over the potential misuses of this product I believe has exceeded our expectations. So that’s why we have this bill today to continue the protections that we started last session.” — Burton, on the Senate floor, via the Florida Phoenix

The bill contains other provisions including a one-time $2 million payment from the state for the Department of Law Enforcement to purchase equipment for testing potentially illegal hemp products.

House lawmakers are expected to move forward with the regulations.