Hemp-derived THC is not getting big support from Washington lawmakers. They are looking to block intoxicating, synthetically derived cannabis products, including gummy candies and vape oil, from being sold at gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops.
A last minute measure to ban the products both within Washington’s legal marijuana industry and outside of it has been put forth. The products have proliferated nationally due to a perceived loophole in the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which authorized hemp growing.
“These are being sold right now, without any regulation, without any oversight,” said Democratic Sen. Karen Keiser. “It’s a public health danger and a threat, and it needs to be removed.” Some see no issue since Washington is a recreational pot state.
Still, there is an alternative bipartisan bill that would ban synthetic cannabinoids outside of Washington’s regulated Initiative 502 marijuana market. It will convene a scientific panel to recommend ways to authorize them in the future.
Producers have taken CBD extracted from hemp and chemically converted it, which is then used in vape oil, gummy candies and other products which have been sold in Washington’s licensed marijuana stores while others have been sold in smoke shops, gas stations or convenience stores.
Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board last year barred synthetically derived THC from products in the Initiative 502 system, fearing the cheap ingredient produced from hemp grown out of state would push many of the state’s licensed, regulated marijuana growers out of business.
THC is marijuana’s most prominent high-inducing component. While marijuana and hemp are the same plant, federal law makes a distinction between marijuana grown for high-THC content, and hemp, traditionally used for food, clothing and industrial applications.
