Intoxicating hemp substances will remain on the market in Florida after Gov. Ron DeSantis nixed a proposed law that would have banned products containing them.
DeSantis on Friday vetoed Senate Bill 1698 (SB 1698) which would have specifically prohibited ingestible or inhalable products that contain delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, HHC, THCP and THCV – synthetic “high”-producing compounds that are in gummies and other treats widely available across the U.S.
The products, which remain legal in Florida under some restrictions, represent competition to the state’s legal medical marijuana sector, and future competition to any companies that could be licensed to sell marijuana if a referendum to legalize pot in the state is passed this November.
Critics have said DeSantis, a staunch marijuana opponent, cut a deal with stakeholders who lobby in favor of the hemp products, suggesting the governor vetoed the measure in exchange for help in financing his effort to defeat the pot initiative. That puts him in the unusual position of supporting psychoactive products made from hemp while working against marijuana legalization.
The Florida Healthy Alternatives Association, a hemp trade group, paid $155,000 to lobbyists during the first three months of this year, according to a CBS Miami report. One of the hemp association’s key lobbyists is Evan Power, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida.
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