Good Bill Filed to Prohibit Drugs Made From Hemp

A good bill filed at the Arkansas Legislature last week would prohibit the sale of THC and other dangerous drugs made from hemp.

In 2018, Congress passed the federal Agriculture Improvement Act legalizing industrial hemp — or cannabis — in America.

The goal was to make it possible for farmers to grow cannabis that is low in THC — the main drug in marijuana — for use in textiles like rope or cloth.

But manufacturers have found ways to extract and refine the little bit of THC in industrial hemp. Doing this on a commercial scale means they can produce a lot of THC to infuse into drinks, candies, e-cigarettes, and other products.

In 2023, Arkansas passed Act 629 by Sen. Tyler Dees (R – Siloam Springs) and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R – Paragould) prohibiting THC and other drugs made from industrial hemp. The law also contains a regulatory framework for hemp products if its THC ban is struck down in court.

Unfortunately, Act 629 has been tied up in federal court for quite some time. Attorneys expect a ruling in the case soon, but lawmakers have expressed serious concerns about waiting for a court decision.

Last week Sen. Dees and Rep. Gazaway filed S.B. 533. This good bill prohibits intoxicating hemp products that contain THC and other drugs in Arkansas.

The bill effectively prohibits THC and other drugs made from hemp from being put into food or drinks sold in the state.

S.B. 533 also contains provisions to ensure other hemp products like CBD oil and cosmetics do not contain dangerous drugs.

Nationwide, policymakers are taking steps to protect people from THC made from hemp.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said that federal law prohibits the addition of hemp-derived THC in food.

Lawmakers and public health officials in several states — including South Dakota, California, and Massachusetts — have successfully prohibited THC made from hemp.

S.B. 533 is a good bill that will help protect Arkansans from dangerous drugs the same way these states have done.

You Can Read S.B. 533 Here.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.