The cannabis industry has been a scourge on many communities across the nation. Since states began legalizing various forms of marijuana, children are gaining more access to this mind-altering drug that can rewire their brains forever. Even when states have tight restrictions, the industry has created loopholes that allow them to continue reaping huge profits. One such loophole involves harvesting hemp. Thankfully, the House will soon vote to maintain a prohibition on using hemp to create a dangerous form of the drug.
We are all familiar with clothing and jewelry made out of hemp. These products are not made from the intoxicating form of the plant. However, the plant itself does contain high levels of THC, which can be made into a synthetic drug called Delta-8.
Delta-8 is poison to our bodies, especially in children. States are seeing a massive influx of life-threatening cases due to this type of THC exposure. Smart Approaches to Marijuana reported that in just two years, the Virginia Blue Ridge Poison Control Center saw a 460% increase in Delta-8 THC-related calls. Likewise, Tennessee saw a 116% increase, with 32 calls involving children under 6 years old.
Current law, through last year’s Farm Bill, redefined hemp as “naturally occurring, naturally derived, and non-intoxicating cannabinoids.” This means that Delta-8 can no longer be manufactured because of the chemical process involved and its intoxication levels. This same provision is in the current appropriations bill, making its way through committee markup.
Our Representatives must be aware that this is an important provision to you, so they do not trade it away or delete it from the bill. Please call or email your Member of Congress and ask them to keep the current language on hemp in the appropriations bill.
Please contact the following Republican members of the House Appropriations Committee:
