Cannabis products with intoxicating properties face regulatory crackdown in many states

Several states have recently introduced strict measures to restrict the sale of cannabis-based intoxicating products.

South Dakota, Louisiana, Iowa and Nebraska are at the forefront of this crackdown, as each state has introduced laws aimed at restricting the availability of substances like delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC and other psychoactive compounds derived from hemp, Hemp Today reports.

See also: How South Dakota Became the Largest Hemp Producer in the US in Just Three Years

South Dakota: Court upholds ban on intoxicating cannabis products

New South Dakota law signed by governor Kristi Noemcame into effect amid legal challenges. The law prohibits the production, sale and distribution of chemically modified or processed industrial hemp products that mimic the effects of marijuana. This includes popular products such as gummies, vaporizers and smokable hemp flowers.

US District Judge Eric C. Schulte recently ruled that the complaint regarding the constitutionality of the act was justified, finding that the state’s actions were consistent with its law and aimed at protecting public health.

Despite the ongoing legal battles, the law remains in place, prompting retailers like Pierre-based Hemp Quarters 605 to carefully consider their legal options.

Louisiana: Tougher rules for hemp products

In Louisiana, the governor Jeff Landry signed House Bill 952, tightening regulations on products derived from hemp. The new law prohibits the sale of intoxicating hemp products at gas stations and licensed alcohol outlets, and it targets substances that can potentially cause psychoactive effects.

It is worth noting that products containing THC are limited to trace amounts that are unlikely to cause a high, and strict restrictions have been put in place on packaging and marketing to ensure they do not appeal to minors.

Iowa: Prohibition of intoxicating cannabis compounds

Iowa has also taken steps to limit the availability of intoxicating cannabis compounds. Under the new legislation, products containing THC, both natural and synthetic, are strictly regulated.

That includes bans on smokable dried cannabis flowers and limits on the THC content of ingestible cannabis products. The state has faced legal challenges from local cannabis beverage companies, underscoring ongoing tensions over regulating THC in consumer products.

Nebraska: Legal Action and Consumer Protection

Meanwhile, Nebraska’s attorney general Mike Hilgers took legal action against e-cigarette store owners accused of misleading advertising and violating consumer protection laws.

These actions underscore concerns about the safety and mislabeling of intoxicating cannabis products sold across the state.

In a statement, Hilgers said: “I am proud to announce these settlements, which represent an important step toward removing untested, misbranded and dangerous THC products from Nebraska stores.

Federal Oversight and Industry Response

Laws governing cannabis products for intoxicating purposes remain unregulated at the federal level, leaving states to independently determine consumer protection issues.

As Congress considers amendments to the next farm bill, hemp and marijuana industry representatives are calling for regulatory clarity to level the competitive playing field.

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