Local business owners brace for new Louisiana THC law
Dec 20, 2024
HARAHAN, La. (WGNO) — Among the new states laws taking effect in the new year is one that affects Louisiana’s consumable hemp industry.
Just this past summer, legislators considered a bill that would outlaw consuming hemp-derived THC products altogether, but because of pushback, they passed a law that places stricter regulations on the already-restricted industry.
Beginning Jan. 1, the serving size for gummies, seltzers and tinctures will be reduced from eight milligrams to five milligrams of THC per serving, and packaged items must contain the maximum of 40 milligrams.
Local business owners, like Chantal Koerner, the owner of The CBD Wellness Center in Harahan, are bracing for impact.
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"We had expanded to a second store on [Veterans Memorial Boulevard],” said Koerner. "Unfortunately, we are going to have to close that second location due to the new laws pulling away half of our products.”
Koerner is now forced to change gears and broaden her company's inventory.
"We are trying to think of ways that we can expand to offer people more on the wellness and health spectrum, but we don't want to lose our primary focus, which is CBD and THC,” the business owner said.
The law also bans restaurants and bars that didn't obtain a permit from the state before last June from selling hemp-derived THC seltzers.
Urban South Brewery, which will be able to continue selling their THC seltzers, released a statement on the new law.
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Our THC seltzers, Driftee and Stratus, already comply with the requirements of the new law set to take effect on Jan. 1. This ensures that our customers can continue to enjoy these products without disruption. However, the limited availability of retail licenses, especially when compared to other states, presents significant challenges for expanding accessibility and reaching new markets. As always, Urban South is committed to working within the evolving regulatory environment while continuing to provide high-quality, innovative beverages to our customers.
Jacob Landry, Founder, Urban South Brewery
As for Koerner, she's not sure what will come of the state's multimillion-dollar hemp industry.
"It's going to be hard to tell what's going to happen from here,” said Koerner. "The hemp industry should be growing, not shrinking.”
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