INDUSTRY UPDATES

February 25, 2022

Delta-8 Bills, Pet Bills, Good News in MD, and Urgent Action Needed in MA copy

State Alert

Let’s start with some good news.

Maryland

In Maryland, we noticed that, as proposed, HB 1078 and SB 788 would have treated “any other naturally produced cannabinol derivative, whether produced directly or indirectly by extraction” as medical cannabis. This could have restricted non-intoxicating hemp products from retail sale. The bills would have also excluded from the definition of hemp products any product “made through a process that includes the use of hemp,” an odd formulation which would appear to exclude all hemp products. We wrote the bill sponsors asking them to reconsider: the bills will now focus on a working group to study the issues. And we’ve been invited to provide input. This is another important win for the Roundtable.

We need your help to ensure the Roundtable can celebrate more victories soon!


Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, HB 146—a bill the Roundtable is supporting to clearly legalize the broad retail sale of hemp products, including in food—appears to be taking its time in the House. As a companion bill proceeds in the state Senate, the time is now to get the House bill moving again. We encourage Massachusetts Hemp Supporters to use our State Action Center to send positive talking points to Massachusetts legislators and urge them to support the bill.


Utah

We love our pets. That’s why we’re supporting Utah SB 209, which allows veterinarians to discuss hemp and CBD products with pet owners. We encourage Utah Hemp Supporters to use our State Action Center to urge Utah lawmakers to support SB 209.


California

California AB 1885 is a similar effort, allowing veterinarians to recommend cannabis for therapeutic effects or diet supplementation purposes. California Hemp Supporters are encouraged to urge their lawmakers to support it on behalf of hemp products.


Delta-8 Across The States

Finally, two contrasting delta-8 bills caught our eye.

In Washington, SB 5981 draws a distinction between legal products that have met health and safety standards and intoxicating products. The bill seeks to prevent intoxicating products like delta-8 and HHC from being sold outside Washington’s adult-use cannabis marketplace. Consumable products exceeding 0.3% THC (THC + THC-A) could only be sold by marijuana licensees.

West Virginia SB 666, on the other hand, would add delta-8 to the scheduling of THC as a Schedule I controlled substance—with no clear exception for hemp. While we support restricting intoxicating products to adult-use cannabis markets, we are concerned about across-the-board bans that could have larger implications.

Please let us know your thoughts!