THC – Page 3 – Family Council

Gov. Sanders Signs Measure to Protect Arkansans from Dangerous Drugs

Apr 28, 2025Jerry CoxMarijuanaArkansas Legislature, Marijuana, THC

Last week, Gov. Sanders signed a good law to protect Arkansans from dangerous drugs like THC made from industrial hemp.

THC is the main psychoactive drug in marijuana.

In 2018, Congress passed the federal Agriculture Improvement Act legalizing industrial hemp — or cannabis — that is low in THC. The goal was to let farmers grow cannabis plants 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 response, many state and federal policymakers have pushed back against these dangerous drugs.

For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said that federal law prohibits hemp-derived THC in food products.

Massachusetts, South Dakota, California, and many other states have successfully prohibited food, drinks, and other products that contain THC made from hemp.

In 2023, Arkansas passed Act 629 by Sen. Tyler Dees (R – Siloam Springs) and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R – Paragould) to prohibit THC made from industrial hemp.

Family Council supported that good law, and the legislature voted to pass it.

However, members of the hemp industry filed a lawsuit against Act 629, and the law has been tied up in federal court ever since.

This year Sen. Dees and Rep. Gazaway filed S.B. 533 to address the issues raised in the lawsuit over Act 629.

S.B. 533 is a good bill that will help prohibit intoxicating hemp products that contain THC and other drugs in Arkansas if Act 629 is ruled unconstitutional.

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

It also ensures other hemp products — like CBD oil or cosmetics — do not contain dangerous drugs or other contaminants.

On Monday Governor Sanders signed S.B. 533 into law — making it Act 934 of 2025.

We deeply appreciate Sen. Dees, Rep. Gazaway, the Arkansas Legislature, and the governor for taking this issue seriously, and for passing a good law to help protect Arkansans from dangerous drugs.

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

Senate Committee Passes Good Bill Prohibiting Drugs Made From Hemp

Apr 2, 2025Jerry CoxMarijuanaArkansas Legislature, Marijuana, THC

On Tuesday the Senate Agriculture Committee passed a good bill prohibiting dangerous drugs like THC made from hemp.

THC is the main psychoactive drug found in marijuana.

In 2018, Congress passed the federal Agriculture Improvement Act legalizing industrial hemp — or cannabis — that is low in THC. The goal was to make it possible for farmers to grow cannabis plants 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.

Many state and federal policymakers have pushed back against these dangerous drugs.

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

The Massachusetts Department of Health has prohibited the sale of food or drinks containing THC made from hemp.

South Dakota recently passed a law prohibiting the sale of products containing THC made from hemp.

And California has issued executive rules prohibiting food and drinks that contain THC made from hemp.

In 2023, Arkansas passed Act 629 by Sen. Tyler Dees (R – Siloam Springs) and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R – Paragould) to prohibit THC made from industrial hemp.

Family Council supported that good law, and the legislature voted to pass it.

However, members of the hemp industry filed a lawsuit against Act 629, and the law has been tied up in federal court ever since.

In March, Sen. Dees and Rep. Gazaway filed S.B. 533 to address the issues raised in the lawsuit over Act 629.

S.B. 533 is a good bill that would help prohibit intoxicating hemp products that contain THC and other drugs in Arkansas.

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

It also contains provisions to ensure other hemp products — like CBD oil or cosmetics — do not contain dangerous drugs or other contaminants.

On Tuesday, the Senate Agriculture Committee passed S.B. 533 to prohibit drugs made from hemp.

This good bill now goes to the entire Arkansas Senate for consideration.

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

Following Committee Testimony, Senator Pulls Down Hemp Bill

Mar 21, 2025Jerry CoxMarijuanaArkansas Legislature, Marijuana, THC

On Thursday Sen. Joshua Bryant (R — Rogers) pulled down a bill regarding THC made from industrial hemp following committee testimony over the measure and concerns raised by committee members.

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 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 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, but attorneys expect a ruling in the case very soon.

S.B. 455 by Sen. Bryant would allow the sale of THC made from hemp if Act 629 is ruled unconstitutional. Under this bill, food, drinks, and similar products containing as much as 50mg of THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids could be sold to adults in Arkansas.

On Thursday the Senate Agriculture Committee met to consider S.B. 455. During committee testimony, members of the Arkansas Attorney General’s staff and others raised questions and concerns about unintended consequences that S.B. 455 could have.

After discussing the bill, Sen. Bryant chose to pull S.B. 455 down. Pulling the bill down gives the bill’s sponsors an opportunity to consider ways to amend the bill to address questions or concerns raised about it in committee.

THC manufactured from industrial hemp poses a serious threat to public health and public safety in Arkansas, and it is important for the state to do everything it can to protect families from these drugs.

Family Council appreciates the Senate Agriculture Committee taking this issue seriously, and we deeply appreciate Sen. Bryant’s willingness to consider the questions and concerns raised during Thursday’s committee testimony.

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