Arizona Lawmakers Seek To Ban Delta-8 THC Products, Here's Why

[orthene]

https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/22/04/26817311/arizona-senators-want-to-ban-delta-8-thc-products-heres-why

Arizona appears to be on its way to banning the production and sale of products containing Delta-8 THC, a chemical component in the cannabis plant.

Backed by the Arizona Dispensaries Association, Senate Bill 1715 seeks to make the manufacturing and sales of the hemp-derived compound a felony, Phoenix New Times writes.

The measure – which passed the Arizona Senate on March 15 - would ban "hemp-derived manufactured impairing cannabinoids," including Delta 8.

What Is Delta-8 THC?
Being a 'gentler' version of Delta-9 THC - the marijuana plant's primary component for causing psychoactive effects - delta-8 THC can be chemically converted from hemp-derived CBD by utilizing new industrial methodologies.

Considering that this cannabinoid is new to today's consumers, many states have decided to take precautionary measures in that the cannabis industry is still in the early learning stages regarding delta-8 THC's potential therapeutic benefits and side effects.

Why Do Lawmakers Want To Ban It?
The delta-8 compound has a history of being mislabeled by companies that sell it. Some are even worried that as an unregulated psychoactive product, which is making its way into dispensaries, gas stations and head shops, delta-8 might even end up in the hands of children.

"What we're doing is allowing psychoactive products to be in the hands of children if we allow this synthetic process to move forward," said Sam Richard, the executive director of the Arizona Dispensaries Association.

Another issue is that products coming from the 2018 federal Farm Bill are not subject to the same testing requirements as cannabis. The bill legalized the commercial production of hemp and allowed Arizona, among other states, to grow it under the supervision of its state Department of Agriculture.

While legislation explicitly articulates that hemp can contain up to 0.3 percent Delta 9 THC, there's no mention of delta-8 or its limitations.

What About Other States?
Some states have also taken similar steps.

The New York Cannabis Control Board (CCB) made it clear in November that delta-8 THC products cannot be sold, though hemp flower is allowed.

In February, the Kentucky legislature proposed a bill that seeks to ban all forms of "intoxicating products" made from industrial hemp, such as delta-8 THC. The legislation, which expands existing language in the state's law, is also designed to outlaw other hemp-derived minor cannabinoids like delta-10 THC, THC-O, and THC-P, as per an unofficial copy of the proposal.

Last year, Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) issued a notice that "chemically modifying or converting any naturally occurring cannabinoids from industrial hemp is non-compliant with the statutory definition of 'industrial hemp product." This includes any process that converts an industrial hemp cannabinoid, such as CBD isolate, into delta-9, delta-8, delta-10-THC, or other tetrahydrocannabinol isomers or functional analogs."

[KratomToke]

 

Well Arizona has made so much money of off regular weed
Maybe? They don't want d8 competing with D9 sales?


But It does makes sense, what chemicals are used
To extract the Delta 8 from the hemp plant?

And is there a way  to standardize the process?

ALOT of shady companies could use some nasty shit??


I can't remember but I think Tommy Chong
Was talking about this?

[BurnMan]

The same exact science is used to extract CBD from hemp so that needs to be illegal too.   

[jones]

Gee, I thought they were banning it cause they're a bunch of useless A-holes

[BurnMan]

Will they ban D8 or go after any other cannabinoids except cbd one at a time like the old RC days.

D10 THCO, CBG, etc

[jones]

Just one more good reason to buy from the black market--I hate to see these a-holes get any tax money

[orthene]

Just one more good reason to buy from the black market--I hate to see these a-holes get any tax money

The competition of having five dispensaries in town near me has brought prices down in the brick and mortars. I haven't been to any of the stores yet; I hear they are usually pretty busy but there is one out here that's kinda rural. I wonder if this is going to bite the black market. At the point where it's cheaper to buy something in a store , could black market prices be affected to the point where there is no incentive for BM growers to actually make money? Kind of like the value of a still after prohibition ended?

[jones]

Just one more good reason to buy from the black market--I hate to see these a-holes get any tax money

The competition of having five dispensaries in town near me has brought prices down in the brick and mortars. I haven't been to any of the stores yet; I hear they are usually pretty busy but there is one out here that's kinda rural. I wonder if this is going to bite the black market. At the point where it's cheaper to buy something in a store , could black market prices be affected to the point where there is no incentive for BM growers to actually make money? Kind of like the value of a still after prohibition ended?

Don't worry, black market sales to kids will more than make up the difference