Wyoming Considers Banning Hemp-Derived THC Products for Human Consumption

CHEYENNE. — A draft bill recently introduced in Wyoming is proposing to ban products derived from hemp that contain detectable amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component typically found in cannabis. This initiative, if enacted, would also outlaw the production of any hemp intended for human ingestion.

The proposal stems from increasing concerns about minors consuming delta-8 THC products. In a notable incident last year, six high school students required emergency medical attention after ingesting such products. State Senator Bill Landen (R), in conversation with Cowboy State Daily, highlighted this concern, indicating that the new proposal arose as a protective measure.

Yet the draft bill has encountered resistance from stakeholders within the hemp industry. Justin Loeffler, CEO and founder of the Wyoming Hemp Co., voiced apprehensions about the bill’s implications, especially given that it targets products with trace amounts of THC. Loeffler drew an analogy to Teflon pans, stating to Cowboy State Daily, “If we’re talking about trace amounts of things, we need to take all Teflon pans off the shelf, because everybody has Teflon in their bodies, and that causes cancer.”

Earlier this year, Wyoming legislators attempted to restrict the sales of such products to individuals aged 21 and above, but the proposal did not pass the committee stage.

It’s essential to note that the current draft bill serves as a starting point for further policy discussions on hemp-derived THC products in Wyoming. The future of this legislation remains uncertain, with the possibility of it not advancing past the deliberation stage.

This unfolding debate in Wyoming exemplifies the broader challenges and considerations faced by states in the evolving landscape of cannabis and hemp regulations.