Future of Hemp-Derived THC Products in Wisconsin Unclear

As the Wisconsin Assembly State Affairs Committee voted Wednesday, November 12 to approve a massive bill to regulate hemp-derived THC products, the US House of Representatives voted to severely limit those products from being produced.
 
As reported in prior weeks, the WRA has supported a Wisconsin bill to regulate hemp-derived THC products similar to alcohol, while also providing important third-party civil liability protections for retailers that sell the product. This bill - AB 606 - was approved by the Assembly State Affairs Committee, Wednesday, November 12 at the State Capitol. 
 
In the US Congress' government funding bill to reopen the federal government, provisions were included that will drastically change the current hemp-derived THC product market. The most significant change would establish a limit of 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container. In contrast, the proposed Wisconsin bill would allow up to 20 milligrams per serving.
 
The 0.4 milligram total THC limit per container would effectively ban nearly all existing hemp-derived products on the market, including the popular canned drinks that many restaurants and bars sell or wish to sell. Hemp industry advocates say this would devastate the $28.4 billion industry. The new federal law has a one-year phase in period. Whether there is enough support in Congress to undo the severe limitations over the next year is unknown.

Since Wisconsin did adopt specific hemp laws in 2019, it is possible that if Wisconsin passes AB 606 and its regulatory framework, products of up to 20 milligrams could be sold in the state. More legal review is needed to see if that bears out.
 
Please stay tuned. WRA will update this website with more information as all of these government actions play out. 
Questions? Contact us!

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