Latest news with #Delta-8
Business Journals
6 days ago
- Health
- Business Journals
St. Louis County delays vote on controversial Delta-8 sales ban amid public outcry
The St. Louis County Council delayed a vote on a bill that would prohibit the sale of intoxicating cannabinoid products, such as Delta-8, outside of licensed marijuana dispensaries.
Chicago Tribune
23-07-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Oak Lawn bans kratom and THC products, though won't enforce for now
Despite the Oak Lawn Village Board voting Tuesday to prohibit the sale of kratom and THC products, Mayor Terry Vorderer says the village will wait to enforce the law. The prohibition of kratom and THC products, including Delta-9, was added to the tobacco retail regulation ordinance. But Vorderer said he learned from attorneys after the vote the ordinance may need to be reworked. 'They explained that that product is not really a tobacco product,' Vorderer said Wednesday. 'Thus, I instructed our staff not to enforce the kratom part, and we'll go back and modify or look at that.' The board tabled the measure after a June 24 meeting attendee attested to the benefits of kratom, saying he would do more research on the product. Kratom is an herbal substance from Southeast Asia commonly used for pain relief, mood enhancement and withdrawal symptoms. Though it is not regulated by the United State Food and Drug Administration, the FDA estimates about 2 million Americans used kratom in 2021. The ordinance amendment passed Tuesday stated the village was experiencing 'a proliferation of retail stores selling products containing potentially intoxicating ingredients,' including kratom and THC. 'These unregulated products result in certain adverse effects, including hallucination, vomiting, tremors, anxiety, dizziness, confusion and loss of consciousness, as well as negative impacts on certain brain functions related to memory, learning, decision making and emotions,' the ordinance states. Nearby communities have similarly worked to ban the sale of kratom and other drug products. In Tinley Park, the sale, distribution and use of kratom were made illegal last year, though businesses primarily profiting from kratom sales were given a 12-month amnesty period. The Orland Park Village Board passed a similar ordinance last May, banning kratom, tianeptine, Delta-8, and other novel synthetic and psychoactive drug products. Vorderer said he has worked to regulate the sales of drug products in Oak Lawn, saying 'we don't want to be in the drug dispensing business.' He said the Village Board previously voted not to allow marijuana dispensaries and capped the number of tobacco retailers at 12. Vorderer acknowledged he still has a lot to learn about products like kratom and their purported medical benefits and continues to discuss the affects of regulation with business owners. While for now the ban will not be enforced, village staff members will advise businesses if that changes, he said.
The Hill
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Texas's Dan Patrick vows to keep fighting against THC after Abbott vetoes ban
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) is vowing to keep fighting for a total THC ban in Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott (R) vetoed such a ban but signaled willingness to accept certain facets of one. In a statement Monday night, Abbott appeared open to a ban on 'synthetic' cannabinoids — an olive branch in the escalating war of words with Patrick. The statement from Abbott's office indicated his support for banning Delta-8, Delta-10 and other lab-created or modified variants of Delta-9 THC, the naturally-occurring psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, Patrick wrote on X. Patrick said his staff would collaborate with Abbott to 'quickly pass a bill to ban all synthetic THC' when the legislature returns for the special session Abbott has called for late July It marked a slight climb down from Patrick's blistering and often meandering press release on Monday, where he blasted Abbot's agenda as a proposal 'for us to legalize marijuana in Texas — by regulating it.' In that conference, Patrick reaffirmed his opposition to cannabis legalization, accusing the state's thousands of dispensaries of being fronts for drug cartels and terrorism. He also offered a personal criticism of Abbott, whom he accused of 'parachuting' in at the last minute to veto a law to which, Patrick said, he has offered no prior objection. The industry said this week it would welcome more regulations. The rift between the state's top Republicans broke out after Abbott's last minute decision Sunday to veto Senate Bill 3, a full ban of the state's multibillion dollar recreational cannabis industry. In his veto statement, Abbott argued that the law, which Patrick effectively held the legislative budget hostage to pass, was likely to be thrown out by federal judges as a direct challenge to federal supremacy on 'hemp.' While 'hemp' and 'marijuana' are effectively the same plant, hemp — a term of art for non-psychoactive cannabis — has been federally legal since 2018. The measure opened a gap in decades of federal cannabis policy through which a multibillion dollar grey-market industry has poured — with Texas as one of its key nodes. Hemp has become an imprtant cash crop in the five years since Texas set up its own program, and family farmers were a key constituency arguing against the ban and pressing Abbott for a veto. In the press conference, Patrick argued that virtually all Republicans in the state legislature had supported S.B. 3. But civil society group Texas Watch argued many had little choice. State Rep. Wes Virdell (R), who both voted for S.B. 3 and praised Abbott for the veto, acknowledged to The Texas Tribune the tough situation legislators were in. 'Folks are mad at me for voting for SB 3 and folks will be mad at me for supporting the veto,' Virdell told the Tribune. 'Unfortunately, politics is more than just policy and not everybody knows how the sausage gets made.' In his Monday press conference, Patrick insisted the ban was a matter of principle. 'I am not mad at the governor, but I am not going to legalize marijuana in Texas,' Patrick said. 'And if people want to vote me out of office, so be it.'
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Ricky Williams slams Texas lawmakers in explosive lawsuit, claiming the hemp THC ban defies federal law and endangers the rights of millions
Ricky Williams has always been more than just a football player. After a career marked by big runs and bold choices, the former Dolphins star is stepping into a different kind of spotlight—this time as a defender of cannabis rights. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In June 2025, Williams joined a federal lawsuit aimed at stopping a proposed Texas law that would ban hemp-derived THC products like Delta-8. 'Texas is attempting to outlaw these items against the will of hundreds of thousands of voters,' the legal complaint states. Now, Williams is bringing his voice—and his influence—to a battle that could change everything. Ricky Williams warns Texas hemp THC ban could devastate the state's cannabis economy, risking billions in revenue and hundreds of small businesses It all started when Texas lawmakers introduced a bill that would classify many hemp-based THC products as Schedule I substances—putting them in the same category as heroin and LSD. If passed, the law would force shops across the state to pull popular items like gummies, vapes, and oils off the shelves. That didn't sit right with Williams. So he teamed up with the Cannabis Freedom Alliance and signed onto a lawsuit challenging the proposed ban. Filed in Texas and cited in a report by ProFootballTalk, the suit argues that the state can't just override federal law. Specifically, it points to the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp-derived cannabinoids nationwide. The suit also warns that Texas is threatening to undo years of work by businesses and farmers who've built a thriving industry under the protections of that law. And for Williams, this fight is personal. Ricky Williams blasts Texas for ignoring science and silencing choice, calling the hemp THC ban a reckless move that punishes athletes seeking natural recovery Speaking at a wellness event in Austin, Williams didn't hold back. 'Cannabis allowed me to extend my athletic career and recover without prescription drugs,' he said. Since retiring from the NFL in 2011, Ricky Williams has leaned into a lifestyle built around healing—teaching yoga, practicing meditation, and advocating for holistic wellness. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now To him, cannabis isn't just a talking point. It's a tool that helped him cope with pain, both physical and emotional. Now he's using his platform to push back. Through social media, interviews, and public appearances, Williams has urged Texans to stand up for their rights. 'This ban doesn't just affect me—it affects small businesses, farmers, and consumers. Communities,' he said during a recent livestream. Why Ricky Williams' fight against Texas' cannabis ban could set a national precedent Texas lawmakers say they're concerned about the potency of products like Delta-8 and how they're marketed to younger audiences. But critics argue that strict regulation—not a flat-out ban—is the real solution. Other states, like Idaho and Wyoming, have already tossed out similar laws in court. This lawsuit could be the next to set a precedent. Legal experts say the outcome might not just shape policy in Texas—it could influence what happens nationwide. If the courts side with Williams and his legal team, hemp-derived THC products would remain protected. But if the state wins? It could be the first domino in a wave of bans. Ricky Williams may be done running on the field, but he's not done running toward what he believes in. With this lawsuit, he's putting his name—and his legacy—on the line for something bigger than football. Whether or not the courts agree with him, one thing's clear: Williams isn't afraid to challenge the system. Not when he thinks people's rights are on the line. Also Read:
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Out Of Touch Or On A Mission? Patrick's Anti-THC Rant
In a press conference held this week, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick continued to staunchly defend Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), legislation aimed at banning all consumable THC products in the state. Patrick spoke to a room full of reporters about the bill's intent to protect the overall health of Texans, particularly for minors in the Lone Star State, by cutting all access to THC products that have continued to grow in popularity since the state-wide legalization of hemp in 2019. On a city-wide level, as previously covered by The Dallas Express, Dallas voters passed Proposition R in November of last year, making possession of under 4 ounces of marijuana the 'lowest priority' for local law enforcement. However, both efforts have continued to receive pushback from Patrick and other leaders like Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton's office has even sued a handful of municipalities for approving the relaxed laws on marijuana enforcement. 'This unconstitutional action by municipalities demonstrates why Texas must have a law to 'follow the law.' It's quite simple: the legislature passes every law after a full debate on the issues, and we don't allow cities the ability to create anarchy by picking and choosing the laws they enforce,' Paxton said in a press release published last year. SB 3, which has passed both legislative chambers, now seeks to ban all forms of THC, including Delta-8 and Delta-9 variants, currently sold regularly in gas stations and 'smoke shops,' while exempting 'non-intoxicating' cannabinoids like CBD and CBG. However, some details surrounding the bill seem to remain a bit cloudy. The bill will also allegedly allow for the state to maintain and continue running its Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Program, allowing limited medical use of low-THC cannabis products. However, Patrick has not yet clarified if the bill will impact the application process for the program. Critics argue that the ban could have significant economic repercussions, as previously reported by The Dallas Express, potentially dismantling Texas's $8 billion hemp industry and cutting off nearly 50,000 jobs. 'If this ban is passed, it would criminalize both consumers as well as sellers/distributors. Businesses in Texas would have to stop selling these products altogether, which would likely result in a lot of businesses closing up shop altogether,' Ben Michael, an attorney at Michael & Associates, previously told DX. 'This would also likely mean that larger companies based in other states would be limited with where or who they could sell to, leading to potential legal battles. Consumers in Texas could also face fines or charges for buying these products, even if they are for medical purposes, because it seems as though the ban essentially has no exceptions,' Michael added. Yet, Patrick seems deadset on pushing the ban forward. 'We cannot in good conscience leave Austin without banning THC, which is harming our children, and destroying Texans' lives and families,' The Texas Lieutenant General declared via X. Governor Greg Abbott has yet to say whether he will sign SB 3 into law. If enacted, the ban will take effect in September of this year.
