Lawmakers put synthetic cannabis products in crosshairs

Synthetically produced 'diet weed' would become illegal if HB 1125 signed by governor

Photo by Matteo Paganelli on Unsplash

PIERRE – South Dakota is poised to join 17 other states that have outlawed products sold with synthetic THC derived from hemp.

Those products use a chemical conversion process to create psychoactive substances from hemp, which, when legalized by the federal government several years ago, was supposed to be used for fibers, building materials and other products unrelated to higher-THC products found in marijuana.

But through “creative chemistry,” said Tim Southern, a chemist and director of the South Dakota State Laboratory, a new market has emerged for psychoactive substances. Those are increasingly sold in retail shops with names such as Delta 8, Delta 9, Delta 10 and other products, used in vapes, edibles and others, but legal under federal law, even though federal law does not recognize higher THC cannabis plants used for medical and recreational marijuana.

“It is a loophole we need to close,” Southern told lawmakers this week on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

NEWS: Legislature approves 'carveout' for Sioux Falls Delbridge Museum