State lawmakers and industry leaders gathered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to discuss the regulation of the state's hemp industry during a public hearing on Thursday (January 15). The hearing focused on the impact of the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized hemp but left loopholes that have allowed the sale of hemp-derived products with minimal oversight.
The hearing, held by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, highlighted concerns over illegal products being sold in smoke shops under the guise of hemp. District Attorneys Kevin Steele and John Adams testified that many products labeled as hemp were actually marijuana, with THC levels exceeding the legal limit of 0.3 percent. According to Dentons.com, Steele stated, "We tested it. It's not. It's marijuana."
The hearing also addressed recent changes passed by Congress in November, which tighten THC limits and provide businesses with a one-year compliance period. Jake Sitler, founder of the Pennsylvania Hemp and Cannabis Guild, emphasized the economic potential of hemp and the need for safe, reliable access for consumers.
Industry stakeholders, like Jesse and Carrie Worsk, who own hemp product stores in Pittsburgh, supported the call for stricter regulations to address the issues raised by district attorneys. Carrie Worsk noted, "There are a lot of bad actors in the industry. They are doing things the wrong way."
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a legislative agency, may hold additional hearings as lawmakers continue to explore the legalization of recreational marijuana for adults in the state.