A bill filed last Friday at the Arkansas Legislature would address Delta-8 THC in state law.
S.B. 358 by Sen. Tyler Dees (R – Siloam Springs) and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R – Paragould) would prevent Delta-8 THC from being manufactured via industrial hemp, and it would place Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC on the list of controlled substances in state law.
THC is the primary psychoactive substance found in marijuana.
State and federal laws generally regulate Delta-9 THC, which has led some people to argue that other variants of THC — such as Delta-8 THC — are legal under state or federal law.
Delta-8 THC is still a mind-altering substance, and Arkansas law does not adequately restrict it. S.B. 358 would help address that problem.
Delta-8 THC has been a point of contention since Arkansas legalized medical marijuana and industrial hemp.
A lawsuit filed in state court last year alleged that a Delta-8 THC vape product contained inappropriate levels of Delta-9 THC. The case ultimately was dismissed and closed in January.
Recent news articles have highlighted the risk that children face from Delta-8 THC in Arkansas.
S.B. 358 is a good bill that will strengthen Arkansas law and help protect children from dangerous marijuana products.
