Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) and Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) Lauded for Their Leadership on Critical Public Health and Safety Reforms
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration advanced legislation that bans dangerous hemp-derived THC products. This language is identical to the Farm Bill amendment closing the Delta-8 THC loophole led by Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) and supported by members across the aisle like Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). The full Appropriations Committee will mark up the subcommittee bill on July 10.
Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) President Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy advisor to Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton, released the following statement about the Subcommittee passage:
”Today’s vote is the second major victory on our path to banning hemp intoxicants in the House. Closing the Delta-8 THC loophole is a bipartisan issue that members across political lines are supporting. One House committee and now one subcommittee agree the time to defend families and public safety is now.
“The addiction industry has created a massive market for unregulated drugs that exploits the legal gray areas to hook new users using dangerous THC edibles, vapes and other products. Because Delta-8 THC is virtually identical to Delta-9 THC, it carries similar risks including addiction, psychosis. The rampant spread of Delta-8 THC has been a recipe for disaster that has hospitalized people across the nation and fueled a rise in addiction and substance use disorder. Worst of all, it is fueling a dangerous perception among our nation’s youth that THC drugs and marijuana are safe and even ‘recreation.’
“High-potency marijuana products and Delta-8 THC products are virtually indistinguishable. Today’s actions reiterate that it was never the intention of Congress to create this unfettered market with addictive drugs.
“We thank House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris, and all the members of the subcommittee who voted in favor of restoring sense and sanity. They have taken a tremendous stand that will reverberate in America’s communities for years to come. The House has led on this issue by including a Delta-8 THC ban in two must-pass bills. Senate Democrats must now support closing this dangerous loophole that has exacerbated the nation’s drug crisis.”