Alex Mcloon
01-29-2025
LINCOLN, Neb. —
Another effort to crack down on synthetic marijuana products is underway as Millard state Sen. Kathleen Kauth is teaming up with Attorney General Mike Hilgers to target more than 300 stores in Nebraska.
"They've been on notice. They said, 'No one will catch us. We're just gonna sell and sell and make money.' But that's the bet they made, and they assume the risk," Hilgers said at Wednesday's hearing at the State Capitol.
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Hilgers and Kauth announced a number of lawsuits last year. The new bill this year, LB 316, offers retailers an off-ramp to halt sales of synthetic products like Delta 8 — hemp combined with chemicals that go unregulated by federal officials.
"These cannabinoids have been tied to significant health risks," Sen. Kauth said Wednesday.
RELATED COVERAGE: Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers unveils top legislative priorities, including battling delta-8
The CDC says synthetic cannabinoids are not one drug, but hundreds of chemicals combined that consumers often believe are safe and legal. Symptoms can include increased heart rate and anxiety.
"If you do consume too much of any substance, it doesn't matter if it's Delta 8 or THC, there can be consequences that are not desirable," medical professional Andrea Holmes said.
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Retailers also testified for regulation.
"What we want is to make responsible, regulated and very well-tested products available to consumers," one man said.
"Plus, a ban will take millions of dollars out of the coffers and destroy millions of dollars in economic activity," another man said. "In conclusion, this bill will not help keep Nebraskans safe."
State lawmakers say this latest attempt addresses the unintended consequence of a bill passed in 2018.
LB 316 amends the 2018 Nebraska Hemp Farming Act. It clarifies legal production, possession, and consumption of cannabidiol products like Delta 8. It also "harmonizes" the act with the 2018 Agricultures Improvement Act and clarifies the definition of marijuana.
Committee members will decide if the bill moves forward in the legislative process.
The bill does not affect the medical marijuana initiative that was passed by Nebraska voters last November.
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