Hemp Companies Sue to Block Arkansas From Banning Delta-8

Marijuana,

On Monday a group of cannabis companies filed a federal lawsuit to block the State of Arkansas from banning Delta-8 THC.

Act 629 of 2023 by Sen. Tyler Dees (R – Siloam Springs) and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R – Paragould) is a good law that prevents Delta-8 THC from being manufactured via industrial hemp — or cannabis — in Arkansas.

The law places Delta-8, Delta-9, Delta-10 THC, and other psychoactive drugs made from industrial hemp on the list of controlled substances in state law. It also contains language enacting drug restrictions that would take effect if a state or federal court someday blocked Arkansas from prohibiting Delta-8 altogether.

Delta-8 THC is a mind-altering substance made from cannabis, and apart from Act 629, Arkansas law does not adequately prohibit it.

The Arkansas Legislature passed Act 629 earlier this year, and Gov. Sanders signed it into law. Now companies that profit from Delta-8 THC are suing to block the measure.

According to Monday’s lawsuit, the companies working to overturn Act 629 in court are:

  • Smoker Friendly, a Colorado company that operates 58 stores selling Delta-8 in Arkansas.
  • Sky Marketing, a Texas company that sells substances like Delta-8 wholesale in Arkansas.
  • Bio Gen LLC, a Fayetteville company that farms industrial hemp.
  • Drippers LLC, a company that sells Delta-8 THC and other cannabinoids. According to its website, Drippers operates stores in Greenbrier, Cabot, Hot Springs, El Dorado, and Benton.

It should not come as any surprise that companies who profit from Delta-8 THC in Arkansas are suing to keep Delta-8 legal.

Act 629 of 2023 is a good law that protects Arkansans from dangerous drugs. We believe courts will recognize that fact and ultimately let the state enforce it.

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New Law Taking Effect Will Provide Adoption Education for Public School Students in Arkansas

Abortion, Adoption, , , , ,

A new law taking effect this week will help provide public school students with education regarding adoption.

Act 637 of 2023 by Sen. David Wallace (R — Leachville) and Rep. Joey Carr (R — Blytheville) requires public schools to provide one hour of education regarding adoption awareness to students in grades 6-12 at the beginning of each school year.

This will help educate students about adoption and foster care in Arkansas.

According to Act 637, the adoption education must cover the following topics:

  • The benefits of adoption to society
  • The types of adoption available
  • The difference between adoption through the foster care system and private adoption
  • The reasons adoption is preferable to abortion
  • Public and private resources and agencies available to assist in the adoption process
  • Statistical data on abortion, adoption, and childbirth
  • Public and private resources available for pregnant mothers and parents enrolled in a public school
  • A description of child and human development.

The law requires the State Board of Education to develop “curricula, standards, materials, and units” to teach students about adoption.

Promoting adoption and foster care is good for children and families, and it is one way that Arkansans can reduce the demand for abortion.

Act 637 of 2023 is a good law that will help do exactly that.

Arkansas Right to Life was the lead pro-life proponent of this law during the 2023 legislative session, and Family Council was proud to support their efforts.

Now that Act 637 is taking effect, we look forward to the State Board of Education and the various public schools around the state implementing this good law in the coming school year.

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