INDUSTRY UPDATES

March 11, 2025

Hemp Bill Updates in Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, and Ohio

Lawmakers across multiple states continue to introduce legislation that could dramatically reshape the hemp industry. 

We have 6 states to report on this week: 

  • Georgia’s SB 254: This bill would impose extreme THC limits, ban hemp beverages, and severely restrict product availability.
  • Kentucky’s SB 202: While it the ban on hemp beverages has been removed, it still weakens industry-backed quality regulations from the Department of Health and Family Services.
  • Missouri’s Legislative Activity:
    • HB 696 & SB 518: Propose new age restrictions, testing requirements, and licensure rules—aiming for responsible regulation.
    • HB 393: Establishes a 3-tier system for distribution of hemp beverages, while imposing arbitrary milligram limits of THC. 
  • Montana’s HB 49: It sets strict THC caps and bans synthetic cannabinoids, threatening consumer access.
  • Ohio’s SB 86: It would force most hemp products into dispensaries, restricting access and significantly increasing costs.
  • Texas’ SB 3: This bill has advanced out of committee and would effectively eliminate most of the hemp market by banning all cannabinoids except CBD and CBG.

With many of these bills advancing quickly, immediate action is needed to protect the industry from harmful restrictions while supporting just, science-based regulations. 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.

Georgia

Georgia’s SB 254 is moving rapidly through the legislature, having been introduced on February 25 and already passed out of the Senate committee. This bill would impose severe restrictions, including a complete ban on hemp beverages, a limit of 10mg THC per serving for gummies with a total package limit of 150mg, a maximum of 1,000mg THC for topicals, and tinctures capped at 1mg THC per serving with a maximum size of 60mL. This legislation would severely limit consumer access and devastate the state’s hemp industry.

Meanwhile, HB 265 takes a different approach by specifically addressing THC and hemp products.

Additionally, Georgia’s SB 33 proposes amendments to the “Georgia Hemp Farming Act” to regulate consumable hemp products. The bill aims to limit the total THC concentration in these products and introduces stricter testing and labeling requirements for cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC. We are monitoring the impact these bills will have on the industry, stay tuned for additional updates on SB 33 and HB 265.

Georgia Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to email your legislators in opposition of SB 254.

Contact Georgia Legislators

Kentucky

Thanks to your efforts (nearly 1000 emails sent), and a grassroots campaign led by Roundtable member Vice President Jim Higdon, and allies at the Kentucky Hemp Association, the ban on hemp beverages was removed from SB 202 in the Senate.

However, this bill remains problematic because it would ban sales at restaurants and bars and eliminates key quality regulations that the hemp industry helped establish with the Department of Health and Family Services.

Instead of improving safety, SB 202 represents a power grab that puts public health at risk. The bill now moves to the House, where we expect a committee hearing to be held tomorrow. If you live or operate a business in Kentucky, we need your help to ensure that the hemp industry’s progress is not undone.

Kentucky Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to email your legislator in opposition of SB 202. 

Contact Kentucky Legislators

Missouri

In Missouri, we’re watching a number of bills.  HB 696 and SB 518, the Missouri Hemp Consumer Protection Act, establishes a new regulatory framework for hemp in the state.  The bills prohibit individuals 21 and under from selling, purchasing, or distributing hemp-derived consumables, and set testing and labeling standards.  The bills also require licensure to manufacture, distribute, or sell products.  Beverages may be sold but must be kept behind the counter. The bills are currently being heard in committee in their respective chambers of introduction. 

Missouri’s HB 393 establishes a 3-tier system for distribution of hemp beverages and limit the sale of other hemp products.  Gummy products would be limited to less than 5mg per serving of delta-8 or delta-9 in a container containing no more than 100mg of delta-8 or delta-9 in aggregate.  Beverages would be limited to no more than 10mg of delta-8 or delta-9 per serving and no package of beverages may contain more than 100mg in the aggregate.  Tinctures containing THC may contain no more than 90mg per ounce of delta-9 or 150mg per ounce of delta-8.  Any inhalable product is limited to no more than 2 milliliters or 2 grams of delta-8 or delta-9.  This bill also remains in committee hearings. Stay tuned for more updates on hemp legislation in Missouri. 

Montana

In Montana,  HB 49 would prohibit the sale and use of synthetic cannabinoids, and establish rules for packaging, labeling, and enforcement, effective immediately. The legislation also states that hemp and hemp products may not exceed 0.5mg of total delta-9 THC per serving and may not exceed 2mg of delta-9 THC per package. 

Montana Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to email your legislator in opposition of HB 49. 

Contact Montana Legislators

Ohio

The Ohio legislature is currently debating multiple bills that could significantly impact the hemp industry. The Senate has introduced SB 86, which would require hemp products above .5 milligrams of THC per serving and 2 milligrams of THC per package to be sold exclusively in dispensaries—an unnecessary restriction that would limit consumer access, increase costs, and push legitimate hemp businesses out of the market. Meanwhile, the House has introduced HB 160, a competing approach that combines hemp and marijuana regulations but does not provide a beverage exception.

These bills signal an ongoing debate over the future of hemp in Ohio, and we are working closely with lawmakers to advocate for a regulatory framework that ensures product safety without harming consumers and businesses. While we continue to monitor HB 160, immediate action is needed to oppose SB 86. If you live or operate a business in Ohio, use our State Action Center  to send a message to your state legislator with just a few clicks.

Ohio should not force hemp products into dispensaries. A better approach would be a clear regulatory framework that includes independent testing, proper labeling, and age restrictions while maintaining consumer access through traditional retail channels.

Ohio Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to email your legislator in opposition of SB 86. 

Contact Ohio Legislators

Texas

Texas’ SB 3 has advanced out of committee, marking a significant step forward for the bill despite overwhelming opposition during a marathon hearing. This legislation would eliminate 90-95% of the hemp market by banning all cannabinoids except CBD and CBG. Testimony from scientists and farmers highlighted that the proposed THC limits are unworkable and would push consumers into the unregulated market. With more than 2,000 emails already sent to legislators, now is the time to intensify our efforts and ensure Texas does not enact policies that would devastate its thriving hemp industry. Stay engaged, and keep the pressure on lawmakers.

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

Contact Texas Legislators

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

State Action Center

Check out the latest hemp and CBD updates from across the states!