Florida House members backed two bills in April that aimed to tighten the regulations for hemp-derived THC and increase retail sales by 15%.
Both House Bills and the House Budget Committee were unanimously approved by both Houses. 7027 The following are some examples of how to get started: 7029The latter bill requires a majority of two thirds in both chambers to enact the new tax.
H.B. 7029 requires all retailers of hemp products to register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS). The first $6 million collected in excise taxes under this bill will be allocated to DACS’ General Inspection Trust Fund for enforcement of state hemp program and testing standards. The bill would require all retailers of hemp products to register at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The state would receive the remaining revenue.
Whitney Economics estimates that Florida hemp-derived cannabinoid retail sales will reach more than 10 billion dollars by 2022.
Jodi Jam, President of Florida Cannabis Action Network (FCAN), opposed the tax proposals during Wednesday’s hearing of the committee. She suggested that CBD non-intoxicating products with traces of THC be treated as vitamins and supplements in Florida, which do not have to pay tax.
While I appreciate that you want to make a place for everything, she added: “Not all hemp products have an intoxicating affect.” “While it’s great that you are taxing intoxicating hemp-based products, I know that many companies create CBD supplements that have been created to promote wellness. As we continue on to our next destination, I would like to make sure that the products created for the intoxication market are clearly identified.
In H.B. H.B. 7027 or similar legislation passing.
H.B. 7027, sponsored by Reps. Michelle Salzman, R-Pensacola and Dana Trabulsy (R-Fort Pierce), would limit the retail sale of consumable hemp THC products to establishments that have gotten a food permit from DACS. H.B. 7027 is sponsored by Reps. Michelle Salzman (R-Pensacola) and Dana Trabulsy (R-Fort Pierce). The retail sale of hemp-derived THC-containing products will be restricted to those establishments with a DACS food permit and that prohibits the presence of anyone under the age of 21 on the premises.
This age restriction threatens the sales of non-intoxicating goods like chips, candy and soft drinks in convenience stores and gas stations that sell to those who are under 21.
Rep. Traci KOSTER, R. Tampa, raised concerns about this section of the bill.
“I like that we’re finally regulating age restrictions, safety—all of those things are great,” she said, adding that she agrees with treating intoxicating hemp products similarly to alcohol. “I would like to hear more about the convenience stores that are being brought back into play. It is my belief that they are also allowed to have different prices for alcohol. … I think we need to be considering that as well, so that we’re not making this lopsided for different vendors.”
Rep. Lauren Melo (R-Naples) echoed Koster’s remarks, saying that she would support the bill at committee but that her support might change in later stages of the legislative process.
“I am going to be on the air today. But I believe there shouldn’t be winners and losers when it comes to hemp products,” said she. She added, “I would also like to add convenience stores back into the list.”
A bill would change the Florida statute to define “hemp products” as “a substance intended for ingestion that contains greater than trace amounts THC, whether derived directly from hemp (or any other plant), or for inhalation derived or containing THC, either from hemp (or any other plant), or containing THC, without allowing controlled substances. Analysis of the Various.
However, unlike companion legislation, Senate Bill 438H.B.7027 would replace H.B.7023, which passed a unanimous vote in the upper chamber this past month. The bill would amend H.B. It is not clear how to get there. All products containing synthetic cannabinoids derived from hemp, including delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC as well as HHC, THC O, THCP, THCV, etc., are banned.
Florida Bill Advances on Senate Floor to Regulate, Restrict Hemp Products
Salzman, who said that in the next committee stop she will add H.B. Although Salzman said she would add language to H.B.
H.B. 7027 would:
- Demand that products derived from hemp and containing THC be accompanied by a certificate of analyses prepared independently;
- Packaging that appeals to children is prohibited.
- Within 1,000 feet from schools, it is prohibited to consume hemp THC consumable products.
- Interdiction of hemp THC consumable products being offered, sold, traded, provided, or given to customers at wholesale, festivals, fairs and trade shows, farmer’s markets, exhibitions, pop-up retailers, expositions, tradeshows, farmers’ markets or at other events.
This legislation sets out limits on THC packaging and serving sizes, as well.
- Beverages: No more than 6 ounces per container, no more that 12 ounces per individual package.
- Edibles: Each edible must weigh no more 2 grams, and packages of 20 or less edibles should not contain more than 25 edibles.
- Pre-rolls Vapes Each unit must weigh no more that 1 gram. Packages containing 20 or less units are allowed.
- Tinctures: No more than 100 mg of THC/gram. Sold individually, in containers up to 1 gram.
Under the new legislation, each of the bulleted points would see the THC limits for the milligrams in the above four bullets halved on Jan. 1, 2020.
The bill also prohibits a consumer from buying hemp THC consumable products that contain more than 100 mg of THC within a 24 hour period.
Patrick Shatzer, senior manager of regulatory matters at Sunmed, an CBD franchise retailer in the U.S. with 260 locations, 42 in Florida included, was against the legislation in a committee hearing held on Wednesday.
I would like to keep on expressing myself [that] “The THC limit for edibles must match that for beverages,” said he. Right now the gummies’ or product size is limited to only 2 grams. This is the size equivalent to a small pinky. … The industry standard is anywhere from 5 to 8 grams. “Set a THC limit in milligrams and force us to meet it.”
Shatzer recommended that the bill be changed to include 30 servings in each container. This would allow it to comply with dietary supplements standards. The 100 milligrams THC per 24-hour limit is not enforced, he said.
Salzman said that while she will introduce amendments next week to the House Commerce Committee bill, she is not willing to compromise on the THC one-day limit.
The sponsor stated, “We will not remove the daily 100 milligram limit.” The sponsor said, “The argument regarding enforcement is perfectly fine. This is something we can debate. But, at the end of the day, if somebody knows they can’t buy more than 100 milligrams in that day, it’s going to give them a warning, subconsciously, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have more than 100 milligrams of this stuff a day.’ If you want to buy more than 100 mg of cannabis a day you will need a medical marijuana card.
Salzman says the THC limit was set by “really intelligent people” who used science to back it up.