SC Senate Seeks To Regulate Hemp Beverages, Align Rules With Alcohol
Both chambers say they can’t afford to end the legislative session without regulation
South Carolina senators have started debate on legislation that would regulate hemp-derived beverages much like alcohol.
Currently, there are no guardrails or age restrictions on who can buy the products. Lawmakers say the hemp beverage market generated $60 million in sales last year in South Carolina and more than $1 billion nationwide. Both chambers say they can’t afford to end the legislative session without passing some form of regulation or a ban.
“This is too important to leave alone,” Sen. Michael Johnson, R‑York, said. “We have to regulate this or we have to outlaw it. We cannot allow this to stay the way it is.”
Bill would treat hemp drinks like alcohol
The Senate proposal would place delta-9 THC beverages under the same framework used for alcohol sales. Buyers would have to be 21 or older.
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