The Virginia Cannabis Association is asking Gov. Glenn Youngkin to fix passed legislation that would ban the sale of products that contain levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, including cannabidiol because that would devastate what it called the state’s “thriving” hemp industry.
In a letter to the governor that was released Monday, VCA said the two bills passed during the just concluded 2023 General Assembly session — one of which was sponsored by Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta County — were amended heavily “to add several unnecessary restrictions on the industry” that will do more harm than good to Virginia’s hemp business overall.
“The result will be the elimination of thousands of jobs and the loss of billions of dollars in economic impact while strengthening the black market for out of state unregulated cannabinoids,” the letter said.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and cannabidiol, also known as CBD, are derived from the hemp plant. THC is the ingredient in marijuana that creates the “high” in someone who uses it. CBD, which is often used in pain management, contains 0.3% of THC, which is not enough to get its user buzzed.
Legislation passed by the 2023 General Assembly requires all businesses in Virginia that sell industrial hemp extract or food containing that extract to have a permit from the state to do so. Each package only can include products with up to 0.3% of THC and two milligrams of straight-out THC.
Youngkin supports the hemp bill.
