Republican state lawmakers are proposing a ban on hemp products like THC-infused vaporizers, gummies and other edibles, and beverages, WISN reports.
Lawmakers say the bill aims to close a so-called “loophole” in the federal hemp legalization policy that has allowed intoxicating hemp products to proliferate throughout the U.S.
The bill proposes redefining hemp under state law to include total THC content. The bill would also ban synthetic cannabinoids like delta-8 THC, which occurs naturally in tiny quantities in cannabis plants, but can be synthesized for commercial practability from more abundant cannabinoids — like cannabidiol (CBD), which can be sourced from federally legal hemp crops.
In presenting the proposal to the Legislature, supporting lawmakers referenced a 2024 incident in which 85 people became ill, according to health officials, due to a shared kitchen space mix-up involving THC-infused cooking oil.
Wisconsin has a medical cannabis program, but adult-use cannabis is not legal. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ latest state budget proposal would have established adult-use cannabis regulations, but Republican lawmakers jettisoned the legalization language in May.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) said he was weighing an executive order to crack down on the intoxicating hemp products industry after lawmakers failed to pass hemp THC regulations.
