BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – On January 1, 2025, the laws surrounding THC and CBD products will change across Louisiana. It not only lowers the amount of THC and CBD that can be sold in stores from 8mg to 5mg, but it also changes the minimum age to 21. It also bans gas stations from selling the products.
Those who pushed for this law say it will be safer for consumers because it will require the higher potency products be tested and regulated and ultimately sold in a licensed dispensary. However, one store owner says his business will see drastic changes because of the few bad actors in the hemp industry.
Jordan Younes is the owner of 420 Smoke and Liquor shop locations across south Louisiana. He says at least 40% of their inventory consists of products that will need to be disposed of. They will then have to source lower-strength products and explain to consumers why their products are changing. He says it hurts their credibility as a store when they have complied with everything thus far.
“At the end, it’s not good for either of us as owner as business owners or the consumer. Someone is making money, but not us anymore. Going to be the dispensaries,” Younes says. “With us having all this inconsistency, that makes us look bad to the public, to the customer.”
Younes says they will lose business, and so will the state, though he says they are selling legitimate and safe products. He says consumers will likely end up paying for the higher dosage products by sourcing it out of state or getting medical marijuana cards.
CEO of Capitol Wellness Solutions, Dr. Randy J Mire, says there are many shops and places like gas stations, that have taken advantage of the loophole and have hurt patients. He says this law stemmed from consumer complaints. This law does not impact his products – as Capitol Wellness Solutions is in the Therapeutic Marijuana industry, not the hemp industry.
Also starting Wednesday, consumable hemp products, not including drinks, must be kept behind the sales counter. Plus, any restaurants and bars who didn’t get a permit before June will no longer be able to sell hemp-derived THC products.
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The hemp industry is facing a major shakeup as new regulations surrounding THC and CBD levels are set to come into effect in 2025. These regulations, which are aimed at standardizing the levels of these compounds in hemp products, are expected to significantly disrupt the industry.
THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, and CBD, a non-psychoactive compound with a range of potential health benefits, have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, the lack of consistent regulation around the levels of these compounds in hemp products has led to confusion and inconsistency in the market.
With the new regulations set to come into effect in 2025, companies in the hemp industry will be required to adhere to strict guidelines regarding the levels of THC and CBD in their products. This could mean significant changes for many companies, particularly those that rely on high levels of these compounds to differentiate themselves in the market.
While the regulations are intended to provide consumers with more consistent and reliable products, they are also expected to create challenges for companies in the hemp industry. Some companies may need to reformulate their products to comply with the new regulations, while others may struggle to meet the requirements altogether.
Overall, the new regulations surrounding THC and CBD levels in hemp products are expected to bring about a period of significant change and disruption in the industry. Companies will need to be proactive in preparing for these changes in order to remain competitive in the evolving market landscape.
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