The original instrument was prepared by Dawn Romero Watson. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared
by Mary Francis Aucoin.
DIGEST
SB 237 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Pressly
Present law (R.S. 3:1461) provides that industrial hemp is recognized as an agricultural commodity
and authorizes the cultivation, processing, and handling of industrial hemp as legal.
Proposed law retains present law and further provides that it is the intent of the legislature to
recognize industrial hemp as an agricultural commodity for industrial use, such as home and building
construction, and it is the legislature's intent to protect health, welfare, and safety by prohibiting the
production and sale of recreational adult-use intoxicating substances derived from industrial hemp.
Present law (R.S. 3:1464) provides that for the years of 2020 to 2024, the commissioner shall submit
an annual report on the status of the state's industrial hemp program to the House and Senate
committees on agriculture. Provides that, among other items, the report shall include information on
the number of licenses issued to growers with land under 200 acres and the total amount of industrial
hemp sold from those growers to processors as well as the estimated value of the industrial hemp
industry.
Proposed law extends the reporting for four additional years and changes the report to provide that
it shall include the total quantity and dollar amount of industrial hemp sold from growers with land
under 200 acres and requires the estimated value of the industrial hemp industry be reported by
parish as well as statewide.
Present law (R.S. 3:1481) defines that an "adult-use consumable hemp product" is any consumable
hemp product that contains more than 0.5 milligrams of total THC per package.
Proposed law defines that an "adult-use consumable hemp product" is any consumable hemp product
that contains no THC per serving or package.
Present law defines that a "consumable hemp product" is any product derived from industrial hemp
that contains any cannabinoid and is intended for consumption or topical use.
Proposed law defines that a "consumable hemp product" is any product derived from industrial hemp
that does not contain any THC, may contain any other cannabinoid, and does not include hemp floral
material.
Present law defines that "industrial hemp" or "hemp" is the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of
that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids,
salts, and salts of isomers, with a total delta-9 THC concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
Proposed law defines that "industrial hemp" or "hemp" has a total THC concentration of not more
than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
Present law (R.S. 3:1482) provides that no person can sell or offer to sell any part of hemp for
inhalation, except for hemp rolling papers.
Proposed law retains present law and further provides that no person can sell or offer to sell any
hemp floral material.
Present law provides that no person can process, sell, or offer to sell any alcoholic beverage
containing cannabidiol.
Proposed law provides that no person can process, sell, or offer to sell any beverage containing any
THC.
Present law (R.S. 3:1483) provides that any consumable hemp product that is manufactured,
distributed, imported, or sold for use in Louisiana must not exceed a total delta-9 THC concentration
of more than 0.3 percent or a total THC concentration of more than one percent, and cannot exceed
eight milligrams per serving.
Proposed law provides that consumable hemp products must not contain any THC.
Present law provides that floral hemp material cannot exceed a total delta-9 THC concentration of
more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis or a total THC concentration of more than one percent
on a dry weight basis.
Proposed law provides that no person can sell or offer to sell floral hemp material or any hemp
product for inhalation.
Present law provides that all labels must clearly state the THC per serving, serving size, and servings
per package.
Proposed law provides that all labels must clearly state the consumable hemp product does not
contain any THC per serving and per package.
Present law provides that the application for registration must include a certificate of analysis
containing a potency test of the final product indicating the serving size, total THC per serving, total
number of serving, and total THC per package as well as verification that the product was produced
from hemp.
Proposed law provides that the application must include that there is no THC per serving and per
package, and include a notarized verification that the product was produced from hemp and is in
compliance with this Part as well as include a copy of the independent laboratory's license and certificate of accreditation.
Effective August 1, 2024.
(Amends R.S. 3:1461, 1464(9)(intro para), 1464(9)(d) and (f), 1481(1), (4), and (6), 1482(A) and
(B)(1), 1483(B)(6)(a) and (b), (C)(1)(c), and (E)(1)(c) and (2); repeals R.S. 3:1482(E) and 1483(D))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry,
Aquaculture, and Rural Development to the original bill
1. Clarifies that the purpose of industrial hemp is for industrial use.
2. Changes current amount of THC allowed in consumable hemp products from 0.3
percent to no THC allowed in consumable hemp products.