Legislation prefiled in the South Carolina Legislature would both tax and regulate products containing delta-8 THC and other hemp-derived cannabinoids.
(Photo credit: Plants for Persephone/Unsplash)
House Bill 4628 was prefiled recently by State Representative Rosalyn Henderson-Myers (D), preparing it for consideration in the upcoming legislative session that begins in January. The measure has been assigned to the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee.
The proposed law would limit the purchase of cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC to those who are 21 and older, while establishing a 5% tax on products containing it. Outlets wanting to sell delta-8 THC would be required to receive a license from the state, and all products must be tested for things such as pesticides.
The bill was prompted due to the recent influx of products containing delta-8 THC, a compound that interacts with the body in a manner similar to marijuana-derived delta-9 THC. However, because it’s made from hemp, which was legalized nationwide in 2018, delta-8 THC is technically legal. This has led to many lawmakers to begin considering delta-8 THC to be a sort of legal loophole to achieving a marijuana-like high.
The full text of House Bill 4628 can be found by clicking here.
In Wyoming last month the state’s Joint Judiciary Committee voted 8 to 6 to fully ban delta-8 THC.
In October courts in both Texas and Arkansas ruled in favor of allowing the distribution of delta-8 THC products.
