A new bill is making its way around Tallahassee and could change how Florida hemp products are cultivated and sold.
SB 1698 by Sen. Colleen Burton (R-Lakeland) and HB 1613 by Rep. Tommy Gregory (R-Lakewood Ranch) would impose new restrictions and outright bans on hemp products that are legal under federal and state law.
This proposal is facing fierce criticism from Florida hemp farmers and small business owners, who say the proposed changes will make it impossible for them to produce and sell most hemp products – which will force many to close up shop.
Opponents say that language inside the legislation costs the state billions of dollars and eliminates thousands of jobs.
Analysts tell Florida Daily the hemp industry accounts for more than $14 billion and approximately 190,000 jobs in Florida.
Critics of the bill also believe this is an effort by some in the medical marijuana industry seeking to stifle competition.
“Hemp is touted as a safe, lawful agricultural commodity that benefits many everyday Floridians,” says Randy Rembert, owner of Rembert Family Farms in Hawthorne and the first licensed African American hemp farmer in Florida. “Farmers such as myself, who are legally able to grow, would be put out of business.”
Following sweeping hemp legislation that took effect just seven months ago, lawmakers are already back at the table pushing a new round of harsher regulations – many of which were rejected last year.
“It absolutely would devastate a lot of the stores, as well as pretty much devastate the farmers completely,” said Rembert.
After last year’s seemingly collaborative effort – among both legislative chambers, both sides of the aisle, and various elements of the industry – this year’s regulatory push has some wondering if it may be motivated by another cannabis product.
Rembert and others who have followed state and federal laws from the beginning suspect the state’s medical marijuana industry may have something to do with the move to squeeze guidelines that were put in place just a year ago.
“This is a competition bill to get rid of our market,” said Rembert.
This year lawmakers are also considering legislation that would take effect if a petition drive to allow recreational use of marijuana gets on the ballot and is adopted by voters.
Significantly, last year’s hemp law is still going through the rulemaking process under FDACS, and further changes this year could undo practices that farmers are already following to ensure that their products are lawful, safe for consumption, and not marketed to children.
While hemp and marijuana come from the same plant, what differentiates the two is the concentration of delta-9 THC. By law, hemp must have a lower concentration than marijuana, which is a controlled substance that is lawfully available only through Florida’s medical marijuana program. This year’s legislation would outlaw many currently legal products, such as those with Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC.
The bill sponsors have stressed that one of their main goals is to protect children. While no one seems to be opposed to outlawing product designs that are attractive to children, Rembert notes that child safety was addressed in 2023.
“We did that last year – we changed the packaging, we made it safer and we made it harder for kids to get to,” he said. Additionally, as a result of last year’s legislation, hemp products can only be sold to customers who are at least 21, “Rember told Florida Daily.
Supporters of the existing standards point out that a great many Floridians swear by the benefits of hemp products, which they say ease a number of physical maladies.
The concern is that if SB 1698 and HB 1613 pass, Florida’s hemp industry as they know it will be erased.
