You may have already seen labels such as “Contains THC or D9'' sold at liquor stores and vape shops.
Adam Klein of distributor Floral Beverage Co. said these products occupy a gray area in the law and that companies are indeed asking the General Assembly for further regulation and clarification.
“Where we are today, this is a new category. This is a new type of product on the market. It is growing rapidly because there is consumer interest in this, but we are “We need to keep people safe,” he told a committee of lawmakers.
Mr. Klein expressed the effect produced by the product as follows.
“The THC level in this 2.5 milligrams is similar to beer. More or less, maybe a little less than that. So you're talking about two or three of these before the effect kicks in. It will feel that way,” he explained.
However, some guardrails are in place.
HB 544 of 2023 established minimum rules for intoxicating hemp-derived products, including a 21-year age limit, testing, and labeling requirements. But the regulations are not on par with alcoholic beverages, especially at the implementation stage, which is what concerned producers want.
The issue could be taken up in the next Congress in 2025.
