Hemp Bill Updates in Texas, Alabama, Arizona, Massachusetts, Mississippi and New Mexico

The hemp industry is under attack in multiple states, with new legislative proposals threatening the viability of direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales, overly restrictive milligram limits, and even the legal status of hemp products. 

We lead today with the Lonestar State. As we feared, a ban bill has been introduced in the Senate at the instigation of Texas LT. Governor Dan Patrick. 

Alabama is attempting to classify delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10 THC as controlled substances. Other states, such as Arizona, Mississippi, and New Mexico, are pushing restrictive regulations that would treat hemp beverages like alcohol, potentially eliminating e-commerce sales. 

There are also opportunities to push for positive change. We are throwing our support behind HD 3303 and SD 2494 in Massachusetts, which would bring back hemp beverages in this important market. And in Arizona, we stand behind SB 1702, a measure also backed by our friends at the Hemp Industry Association of Arizona (HITA).

We are actively fighting ban attempts and pushing for sensible regulations with boots on the ground in these state capitals, but we need your help.

Please use and share widely our State Action Center to urge lawmakers to support sensible hemp regulations and oppose harmful legislation that stifles innovation, economic growth, and consumer choice.

Texas

As we warned earlier, at the instigation of Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, Senate Bill 3 was released yesterday, and it is as bad as expected.  The bill would ban all cannabinoids except CBD and CBG, meaning any product with any level of THC (encompassing 90-95% of the hemp product marketplace) would be banned.

Texas Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to email your legislators in opposition of SB 3.

Alabama

Alabama SB 132 would devastate the hemp industry by treating delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10 THC as controlled substances. While this is purported to protect non-intoxicating products such as CBD, it leaves in question whether any hemp products with any level of THC would be exempt.  

Alabama Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to email your legislators in opposition of SB 132.

Arizona

Arizona SB 1556 would regulate adult hemp beverages as alcohol, restricting them to premises or stores licensed to sell alcohol. An adult hemp beverage is any beverage that contains less than 30mg of total THC per liter.

Our reading is that, due to the alcohol license requirements, e-commerce sales could be prohibited.   

Alternatively, Arizona SB 1702 is supported by our friends at the Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA). This omnibus hemp bill broadly protects hemp-derived products intended for consumption, inhalation, or topical application, and creates licensing, testing, labeling, and registration requirements.

Beverages are protected as hemp-derived products if they do not exceed 30mg of delta-9 THC per liter. There are no prohibitions against e-commerce or direct-to-consumer sales.  

Arizona Hemp Supporters should use and share widely our State Action Center to urge lawmakers to support SB 1702 and amend SB 1556 to protect direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales of hemp products.

Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, where currently all hemp products, including CBD, have been deemed by regulators as illegal, HD 3303/SD 2494 would allow for the sale of hemp beverages, limited to 5mg of intoxicating cannabinoids per container or the limit for marijuana-infused beverages, whichever is greater. 

Massachusetts Hemp Supporters should use and share widely our State Action Center to urge lawmakers to support HD 3303/SD 2494.  

Mississippi

Mississippi HB 1502/SB 2706 would legalize consumable hemp products. However, while other consumable products could be sold at retail, hemp beverages would be regulated like alcohol, possibly restricting e-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales. Beverages would be limited to 5mg of THC per container and could only be sold in a 12-ounce container.   

Mississippi Hemp Supporters should use and share widely our State Action Center to urge lawmakers to amend the bill to ensure DTC sales.

New Mexico

New Mexico HB 346 amends the Hemp Manufacturing Act to give the Environment Department authority over finished hemp products at retail.  In addition, the bill imposes a prohibition on synthetic cannabinoids and semi-synthetic cannabinoids, by banning the receipt, possession, adverting, marketing and sale of synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids in New Mexico.  While we support efforts to ban purely synthetic products, we oppose efforts to ban semi-synthetics such as converted Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC products. 

New Mexico Hemp Supporters should use and share widely our State Action Center to urge lawmakers to oppose HB 346. 

Visit our State Action Center to see active campaigns across the country!

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