Florida Lawmakers Fail to Pass Hemp Industry Regulations This Year

Florida’s 2025 legislative session has ended without lawmakers reaching an
agreement on a regulatory framework for intoxicating hemp products, Florida
Politics reports.

Rep. Michelle Salzman (R) said the work group dedicated to the issue was
unable to resolve hemp regulation proposals by the House and Senate — one
major difference was that the Senate proposal included a ban on synthetic
hemp products, while other differences included packaging, advertising,
and testing regulations.

“We are shifting gears,” Salzman said in the report. “We will not be
focused on this legislation as we wrap up the 2025 Session.”

“Our chamber remains focused on critical issues affecting every Floridian:
balancing the budget, addressing the insurance and housing crises, and
ensuring condo safety. That said, our commitment to responsible hemp
regulation is unwavering. We look forward to continuing this work in future
Sessions to protect consumers and provide a clear path forward for the
responsible players in this growing industry.” — Salzman, via Florida
Politics

Florida lawmakers did approve a hemp regulations package last year, but
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) vetoed the proposal. Some political experts believed
that the governor’s veto was a lifeline to the state’s burgeoning hemp
industry, which then supported him in his campaign last year against the
state’s adult-use cannabis legalization proposal.