Louisiana Legislators Clash Over THC Consumables Regulation

LOS ANGELES- Louisiana’s legislative bodies are currently entangled in a debate over the future of hemp-derived THC consumables, with contrasting bills passed by the House and Senate. According to NOLA.com, the Louisiana House has passed a bill aimed at regulating the industry, while the Senate has pushed for a complete ban.

The House’s proposal seeks to impose stricter controls, particularly by limiting THC content in beverages to 8 milligrams per serving and mandating that all such beverages be sold as single servings. Additionally, the bill proposes that all non-beverage THC products be stored behind counters, with sales restricted to individuals over the age of 21. It also requires manufacturers to test each batch of hemp products for compliance, granting the state’s Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control commissioner authority to ban producers for severe violations on their first offense.

Representative Dustin Miller, the author of the House bill, emphasized that the local hemp industry largely supports his measure as it offers more stability compared to facing an outright ban, which is currently under consideration in the Senate.

The Senate, on the other hand, voted 27-9 in favor of a ban, with a significant partisan divide evident in the voting pattern—most Republicans supported the ban, whereas most Democrats opposed it. Senator Thomas Pressly, who sponsored the Senate bill, expressed that although he sees merit in a middle ground approach between a total ban and a laissez-faire market, he supports the decision to move forward with the ban.

This legislative conflict underscores the broader national conversation about the regulation of THC products, as states grapple with balancing public safety, consumer demand, and the interests of local industries.