Federal Court Rules Arkansas’ Ban on Hemp-Derived THC Can Move Forward

The Arkansas ban on hemp-derived THC products can move forward after a
federal court this week reversed a lower court’s ruling, KATV reports.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed the bill banning the products
in 2023, but the effort was stayed when U.S. District Court Judge Billy Roy
Wilson ruled the plaintiffs in a hemp industry lawsuit against the ban
would face “a credible threat of criminal prosecution” for their
involvement in the industry, “despite no change in federal law.” Judge
Wilson blocked the ban and scheduled a bench trial, granting apparent
relief to the hemp products industry in Arkansas.

But the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled on
Tuesday that the ban, which targets intoxicating hemp-derived products, is
allowed to proceed. The policy will prohibit the sale of hemp-derived THC
products in Arkansas.

Attorney General Tim Griffin (R) announced the ruling as a “significant
victory.”

“Today’s ruling isn’t just a win for Arkansas, it’s a win for common sense
and the rule of law. If you are selling these products, you are now doing
it in violation of the law.” — Griffin, in a statement

Meanwhile, in the neighboring state of Texas, lawmakers recently passed a
similar ban on intoxicating hemp products. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R),
however, vetoed the proposal, pointing to the 2023 federal court decision
to override the Arkansas ban in his veto message.