A.G. Gancarski
A bill revamping hemp regulations is running out of time in the House.
As of this writing Saturday, Rep. Tommy Gregory’s measure (HB 1613) is languishing on the Second Reading Calendar, presenting a stark contrast to the Senate, where a companion bill was unanimously approved last month.
Neither the House Speaker’s Office nor the House bill sponsor have declared it dead or responded to questions about it from this outlet.
Sen. Colleen Burton’s bill (SB 1698), which the House could take up if Speaker Paul Renner decided to make it happen before Sine Die, proposes a ban on currently commercially available and federally legal products, along with a cap on delta-9 THC, which could negatively affect the 487 growers and roughly 10,000 retail outlets in the state.
Burton’s bill enjoys the support of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
The bill would ban cannabinoids that serve as functional alternatives to delta-9 THC, the euphoria-inducing compound commodified by the state’s medical marijuana program.
The banned substances would include delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-10-tetrahydrocannabinol, hexahydrocannabinol, tetrahydrocannabinol acetate, tetrahydrocannabiphorol and tetrahydrocannabivarin.
It revises the definition of “hemp” to “outline that hemp extract may not exceed 0.3% total delta-9-THC concentration on a wet-weight basis or exceed 2 milligrams per serving and 10 milligrams per container on a wet-weight basis.”
That sets a more rigorous standard than the federal one established in the 2018 Farm Bill that created initial parameters for the then-fledgling industry without arbitrary packaging limits. It would also impact full-spectrum CBD products, which meet the federal requirements and include minor cannabinoids as well.
The bill, if it passes, is a boon to the medical marijuana industry, as it removes competition for market share the hemp sector provides with THC, HHC and other cannabinoids that interact with CB1 receptors.
However, time is running out, and the industry may get a reprieve from legislation that would have forced businesses to cut product lines and cut Florida jobs.
9 comments
Earl Pitts "Sage Political Expert Emeritas" American
March 2, 2024 at 6:44 pm
Good evening Floridians
It is apprent that many of you are totally uninformed about medical marajuana.
EARL PREACHES ON:
Medical Weed wont and dont get your trifaling @ss high. It relieves pain and suffering of some medical problems. PERIOD – FULL STOP – THE END.
Now if you want to get high ….. than medical weed is TOTALLY NOT FOR YOU.
You still need to see “BEEBOO” “THE RASTAFARI” down the street & ‘Round The Corner”.
And bring CASH:
“BEEBOO” “THE RASTAFARI” down the street & ‘Round The Corner dont take percriptions or debit cards. If your cash is low he will give you some weed if you let your wife spend the weekend with him ….. so theres that.
Thank you Floridians,
This “Medical Marajuana Moment” educational knowledge drop was brought to you by ME, Earl Pitts American and “BEEBOO” “THE RASTAFARI” down the street & ‘Round The Corner.
Thank you,
Earl Pitts “Earl Knows Weed’ American
rick whitaker
March 3, 2024 at 4:53 pm
CAUTION CHILDISH TROLL COMMENT BY EARL SPHINCTER
Earl Pitts "Sage Political Expert Emeritas" American
March 3, 2024 at 6:22 pm
Thank you Beloved Rick for your always on time always wackey leftist-slanted contrarian follow-up commentary to my, Earl Pitts American’s, always Sage always Golden “Nuggs” of Indisputable Wisdom, Truth, and Knowledge.
Tens of Thousands of our (Earl’s & Rick’s) Fans visit out Leader’s Florida Politics webpage several times a day just to read and savor “The Goings-On of Rick & Earl. We and Florida Politics are Major Highly Quoted and Respected Sage On-Line-Influncers.
Thanks again Big Guy,
Earl Pitts American
*ps we documented daily hits from the “Space Station” mainly focused on Rick & Earl …. Congrats F. P., Rick , & Earl on leaving the sultery bounds of Planet Earth and “Going Universal”
NO SMALL TASK ….. NO JOKE*
Earl Pitts “Universal Influncer Extrodiniar” American
rick whitaker
March 4, 2024 at 7:50 pm
WARNING TROLL COMMENT BY EARL THE STUPID HATER
MH/Duuuval
March 2, 2024 at 9:19 pm
The Jax T-U carried a letter from a Black hemp farmer who argued that this piece of legislation will put him out of business. The man is growing hemp for industrial and commercial purposes — not for someone’s head. Is this actually a good bill?
GoFundMe Eerl’s GED Course
March 3, 2024 at 5:14 am
Please take a spelling class, Eerl.
Earl Pitts "Sage Political Expert Emeritas" American
March 3, 2024 at 2:30 pm
Thank you “KAREN”,
We Sage Patriots are 100% aware that call-outs on “Spelling” are the “Last Stand Bastion Of All Annoying “KARENS” and are a sure sign of a woman who is frustrated and needs to spend some quality time with a “Sage Bull Of The Woods” like ME, Earl Pitts American.
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You will leave a happy woman Guranteed,
Earl Pitts American
Bill
March 4, 2024 at 8:31 am
To quote Dr. Hook –
Now I ain’t makin’ no excuses for the many things I uses
Just to sweeten my relationships and brighten up my day
But when my earthly race is over and I’m ready for the clover
And they ask me how my life has been I guess I’ll have to say
I was stoned and I missed it
I was stoned and I missed it
I was stoned and it rolled right by
R.W.
March 11, 2024 at 3:39 am
As the Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill to update the state’s hemp laws, it’s essential to recognize the echoes of history reverberating through the chambers. The proposed legislation, spearheaded by Representative Tommy Gregory, appears on the surface to be a step forward in refining regulations surrounding hemp cultivation and distribution. However, beneath the veneer of progress lies a stark reality reminiscent of a bygone era.
In the annals of American history, there’s a familiar tale of a media mogul who wielded his influence to protect his interests at the expense of progress and innovation. William Randolph Hearst, a titan of the newspaper industry in the early 20th century, famously orchestrated a campaign against hemp to safeguard his investments in the timber and paper industries. By demonizing hemp as a threat to society, Hearst ensured that his bottom line remained intact, regardless of the societal benefits lost in the process.
Fast forward to the present day, and we find ourselves faced with a digital reincarnation of Hearst in the form of Tommy Gregory. While the stakes may differ, the underlying motivations remain unchanged. Gregory’s push to revise the state’s hemp laws reflects a narrow-minded focus on preserving medical marijuana and pharmaceutical interests rather than embracing the potential of a burgeoning industry.
It’s no secret that hemp holds promise far beyond its traditional uses in rope and shoes. While the applications range from sustainable textiles to eco-friendly construction materials, hemp represents a pathway to a prosperous future for Americans and Floridians. Yet, Gregory’s indifference to these possibilities speaks volumes about his allegiance to the status quo.
In 1937, the timber industry trembled in fear of hemp’s potential to disrupt their dominance. Today, it’s the digital landscape that faces upheaval, as outdated ideologies clash with the winds of change. But just as history condemned Hearst’s shortsightedness, so too will it judge those who prioritize profits over progress.
The parallels between Gregory and Hearst are striking, yet the consequences of their actions extend far beyond the confines of the legislature. As Florida grapples with the challenges of the 21st century, we must ask ourselves: Are we destined to repeat the mistakes of the past?
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