Marijuana – Page 4 – Family Council

High Stakes, Low Standards: Hemp Edibles Fail the Test in Oregon

Mar 25, 2025Jerry CoxMarijuanaArkansas Legislature, Marijuana

According to different news outlets, authorities in Oregon have determined most gummies and other edibles made from hemp contain high levels of THC.

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.

Marijuana is currently legal in California, but illicit marijuana continues to be a serious problem for the state.

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission recently tested 51 samples of industrial hemp flowers as part of the commission’s “Operation Clean Leaf” initiative. All 51 samples contained more THC than federal law allows.

Authorities also said the vast majority of hemp products were sold without proper age verification, and that some were tainted with pesticides.

All of this is deeply concerning, because lawmakers in Arkansas are currently considering multiple bills to legalize drinks and edibles containing drugs made from hemp.

H.B. 1722 by Rep. Jeremiah Moore (R — Clarendon) would repeal Act 629 and legalize THC made from hemp — including e-cigarettes, food, drinks, and other products containing THC.

H.B. 1722 would give wealthy companies a way to grow, manufacture, and sell dangerous drugs in Arkansas. The bill’s regulatory framework simply won’t protect kids from these drugs.

If H.B. 1722 passes, dangerous drugs made from cannabis will be fully legal for anyone over age 21 and available all over Arkansas.

And H.B. 1578 by Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R — Knoxville) would legalize drinks containing THC made from hemp in Arkansas.

In other states, non-alcoholic seltzer drinks with as much THC as recreational marijuana products have raised serious public health and safety concerns. H.B. 1578 would legalize these intoxicating, THC-infused drinks in Arkansas.

However, last week Sen. Dees and Rep. Gazaway filed S.B. 533 — a good bill that prohibits intoxicating hemp products that contain THC and other drugs.

S.B. 533 effectively stops THC and other drugs made from hemp from being put into food or drinks sold in the state.

The bill also helps make sure other hemp products like CBD oil and cosmetics do not contain dangerous drugs, and it requires these products to be tested for pesticides and other contaminants.

S.B. 533 has been assigned to the Senate Agriculture Committee, and the bill could be brought up for a vote as early as next week.

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

Good Bill Filed to Prohibit Drugs Made From Hemp

Mar 24, 2025Jerry CoxMarijuanaArkansas Legislature, Marijuana

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.

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.

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.