Should Governor Ron DeSantis approve a measure just passed by the state legislature, Delta 8 and other THC derivatives made from hemp may soon be illegal in the state of Florida. Should the new legislation be enacted, it will go into effect on October 1st, making Florida the 25th state to prohibit or limit the sale of delta 8 THC.
The bill also outlaws all synthetic cannabinoids and the cannabinoids produced from hemp, including delta 10 THC, THC-O, THCP, and THCV. The proposed regulation raises the legal age to 21 in order to acquire hemp extracts and establishes acceptable delta 9 THC thresholds for items made from hemp. It also forbids goods that might be mistaken for food, such as candies or snacks, and hemp product packaging that is deemed “attractive to children.”
On March 6, SB 1698 was approved by both chambers of the Florida legislature mostly on a nonpartisan basis. The governor has not said whether he will sign the ban on delta 8.
The Florida Phoenix reports that legislators who supported the law mostly discounted worries expressed by delta 8 customers that they would be compelled to resort to the illegal cannabis market.
"Since the 2018 federal Farm Bill authorized production of hemp-based derivatives, the demand for delta 8 and other cannabinoids derived from hemp has exploded."
State Representative Tommy Gregory said, "That statement answers the question for you as to what these products are." "They are narcotics. These are medications for recreational use. Indeed, in the event that you are unable to purchase them and you use drugs, you may turn to a drug dealer. Perhaps you'll make the correct decision and give up drugs.
Naturally occurring in cannabis plants, including hemp and marijuana, delta 8 is a cannabinoid that is too low in quantities to be extracted profitably. Commercial delta 8 products are made by transforming CBD extracted from legal hemp into delta 8. The market for delta 8 and other cannabinoids produced from hemp has skyrocketed since the 2018 federal Farm Bill allowed the manufacturing of derivatives derived from hemp. Compared to delta 9 THC from marijuana, delta 8 and the majority of other hemp-derived cannabinoids provide a tastier high.
Many Florida companies, including as hemp producers, manufacturers, and distributors, vape stores, convenience stores, and petrol stations, would be impacted by a prohibition on cannabinoids produced from hemp. The third-most populated state in the union is Florida.
The wording of a proposed ballot measure that would bring recreational marijuana legalization before Florida voters in November is now being examined by the Florida Supreme Court. DeSantis acknowledges that recreational marijuana use is likely to occur in Florida, but he has made it plain that he is generally against it. By April 1, the court will make a decision on the ballot question.
