{"id":2538058,"date":"2023-04-21T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-21T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/platoai.gbaglobal.org\/platowire\/louisiana-legislators-unintentionally-legalized-hemp-products-containing-thc-according-to-recent-statements\/"},"modified":"2023-04-21T08:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-04-21T12:00:00","slug":"louisiana-legislators-unintentionally-legalized-hemp-products-containing-thc-according-to-recent-statements","status":"publish","type":"platowire","link":"https:\/\/platoai.gbaglobal.org\/platowire\/louisiana-legislators-unintentionally-legalized-hemp-products-containing-thc-according-to-recent-statements\/","title":{"rendered":"Louisiana Legislators Unintentionally Legalized Hemp Products Containing THC, According to Recent Statements"},"content":{"rendered":"

Louisiana Legislators Unintentionally Legalized Hemp Products Containing THC, According to Recent Statements<\/p>\n

In June 2019, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signed a bill into law that legalized the production and sale of hemp and hemp-derived products in the state. However, recent statements from state officials suggest that the legislation may have unintentionally legalized hemp products containing THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana.<\/p>\n

According to Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, the state’s new hemp law defines hemp as any part of the cannabis plant with a THC concentration of less than 0.3%. However, Strain notes that the law does not specify how THC concentration should be measured, leaving room for interpretation.<\/p>\n

As a result, some hemp products that contain trace amounts of THC may be legal under Louisiana’s new law. This includes products such as CBD oil, which is derived from hemp and contains small amounts of THC.<\/p>\n

While this may seem like a minor issue, it has significant implications for law enforcement and consumers alike. Under federal law, any product containing more than 0.3% THC is considered marijuana and is illegal to produce or sell.<\/p>\n

This means that if Louisiana’s new law inadvertently legalizes hemp products with higher THC concentrations, it could put businesses and consumers at risk of federal prosecution. It could also create confusion for law enforcement officers who are tasked with enforcing drug laws.<\/p>\n

To address this issue, Strain has proposed new regulations that would require hemp products to be tested for THC concentration using a specific method. This would ensure that products containing more than 0.3% THC are not sold in the state.<\/p>\n

However, some lawmakers are pushing back against these regulations, arguing that they would be too burdensome for businesses and could stifle the growth of the state’s hemp industry.<\/p>\n

Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that Louisiana’s new hemp law has created some unintended consequences. As more states legalize hemp and marijuana, it will be important for lawmakers to carefully consider the language of their legislation to avoid similar issues in the future.<\/p>\n