Virginia Passes Tough New Restrictions on Delta-8 THC Products

1.4 min readPublished On: March 2nd, 2023By

RICHMOND– Virginia lawmakers have approved strict new regulations on products containing delta-8 THC, a hemp-derived cannabinoid. The legislation, which was hammered out on the last day of the General Assembly session, will require sellers of intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoid products to obtain a state license. The new regulations also prohibit the sale of products with more than 2 milligrams of THC per package or more than 0.3% THC overall. In addition, products must adhere to strict labeling requirements.

The bill, which overwhelmingly passed the Virginia General Assembly, includes hefty fines of up to $10,000 per day for each infraction for those who violate the new restrictions. Governor Glenn Youngkin, a Republican and supporter of tougher restrictions on delta-8 THC products, is expected to sign the bill into law.

Advocates for Virginia’s hemp industry warn that the new regulations could spell the end for a viable legal hemp market that’s emerged since Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill. While the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority currently regulates the state’s medical cannabis dispensaries, the new legislation proposes that the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will regulate delta-8 THC products.

Some lawmakers are questioning this setup, with State Sen. Scott Surovell reportedly calling it “a first step towards a complete mess.” Recreational Cannabis is legal in Virginia, but there are no legal retail outlets, and a planned January 1, 2024, start date for legal adult-use sales has been delayed after a regulatory bill failed to pass in the House of Delegates this month. As a result, a vacuum is currently being filled by hemp-derived delta-8 products, as well as unlicensed and unregulated cannabis products sold at pop-up dispensaries and other illegal outlets.

About the Author: HCN News Team

The News Team at Highly Capitalized are some of the most experienced writers in cannabis and psychedelics business & finance. We cover capital markets, finance, branding, marketing and everything important in between. Most of all, we follow the money.

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