US Hemp Roundtable: Bill Updates in Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Ohio and Texas

• Georgia’s SB 254: This bill would impose extreme THC limits, ban hemp beverages, and severely restrict product availability.
• Kentucky’s SB 202: While it the ban on hemp beverages has been removed, it still weakens industry-backed quality regulations from the Department of Health and Family Services.
• Missouri’s Legislative Activity:
  • HB 696 & SB 518: Propose new age restrictions, testing requirements, and licensure rules—aiming for responsible regulation.
  • HB 393: Establishes a 3-tier system for distribution of hemp beverages, while imposing arbitrary milligram limits of THC.
• Montana’s HB 49: It sets strict THC caps and bans synthetic cannabinoids, threatening consumer access.
• Ohio’s SB 86: It would force most hemp products into dispensaries, restricting access and significantly increasing costs.
• Texas’ SB 3: This bill has advanced out of committee and would effectively eliminate most of the hemp market by banning all cannabinoids except CBD and CBG.

With many of these bills advancing quickly, immediate action is needed to protect the industry from harmful restrictions while supporting just, science-based regulations.

Please use and share widely our State Action Center to urge lawmakers to support sensible hemp regulations and oppose harmful legislation that stifles innovation, economic growth, and consumer choice.

Meanwhile, HB 265 takes a different approach by specifically addressing THC and hemp products.

Additionally, Georgia’s SB 33 proposes amendments to the “Georgia Hemp Farming Act” to regulate consumable hemp products. The bill aims to limit the total THC concentration in these products and introduces stricter testing and labeling requirements for cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC. We are monitoring the impact these bills will have on the industry, stay tuned for additional updates on SB 33 and HB 265.

Georgia Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to email your legislators in opposition of SB 265.

However, this bill remains problematic because it would ban sales at restaurants and bars and eliminates key quality regulations that the hemp industry helped establish with the Department of Health and Family Services.

Instead of improving safety, SB 202 represents a power grab that puts public health at risk. The bill now moves to the House, where we expect a committee hearing to be held tomorrow. If you live or operate a business in Kentucky, we need your help to ensure that the hemp industry’s progress is not undone.

Kentucky Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to email your legislator in opposition of SB 202. 

Missouri’s HB 393 establishes a 3-tier system for distribution of hemp beverages and limit the sale of other hemp products.  Gummy products would be limited to less than 5mg per serving of delta-8 or delta-9 in a container containing no more than 100mg of delta-8 or delta-9 in aggregate.  Beverages would be limited to no more than 10mg of delta-8 or delta-9 per serving and no package of beverages may contain more than 100mg in the aggregate.  Tinctures containing THC may contain no more than 90mg per ounce of delta-9 or 150mg per ounce of delta-8.  Any inhalable product is limited to no more than 2 milliliters or 2 grams of delta-8 or delta-9.  This bill also remains in committee hearings.

Stay tuned for more updates on hemp legislation in Missouri.

Montana Hemp Supporters  are encouraged to use our State Action Center to email legislators in opposition to HB 49.

Meanwhile, the House has introduced HB 160, a competing approach that combines hemp and marijuana regulations but does not provide a beverage exception.

These bills signal an ongoing debate over the future of hemp in Ohio, and we are working closely with lawmakers to advocate for a regulatory framework that ensures product safety without harming consumers and businesses. While we continue to monitor HB 160, immediate action is needed to oppose SB 86.

Ohio should not force hemp products into dispensaries. A better approach would be a clear regulatory framework that includes independent testing, proper labeling, and age restrictions while maintaining consumer access through traditional retail channels.

Ohio Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to to email legislators in opposition of SB 86.

Testimony from scientists and farmers highlighted that the proposed THC limits are unworkable and would push consumers into the unregulated market.

With more than 2,000 emails already sent to legislators, now is the time to intensify our efforts and ensure Texas does not enact policies that would devastate its thriving hemp industry. Stay engaged, and keep the pressure on lawmakers.

Texas Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to to email legislators in opposition of SB 3.