South Dakota House Approves Legislation to Ban Psychoactive, Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids

South Dakota lawmakers looking to crack down psychoactive, hemp-derived cannabinoids in the state celebrated a victory Jan. 31 when the House approved legislation that would ban the sale of hemp-derived products containing delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, THC-O, HHC and THCP.

House Bill 1125, sponsored by Rep. Brian Mulder, R-Sioux Falls, aims to prohibit products manufactured by chemically manipulating the small amount of naturally occurring cannabinoids that appear in hemp plants, according to the South Dakota Searchlight.

H.B. 1125 would classify the production or sale of these products as misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail, a $2,000 fine, or both, the news outlet reported.

The House Health and Human Services Committee advanced the legislation Jan. 30 in a 11-2 vote before the full House passed it Jan. 31 in a 69-0 vote.

“Some of the manufacturers may use potentially unsafe household chemicals to make delta-8, THC-O,” Mulder claimed during Tuesday’s committee hearing.

H.B. 1125 would prohibit products that the state health lab could prove were chemically manipulated, the South Dakota Searchlight reported, but would not ban products made with naturally occurring chemicals.

The South Dakota Department of Health supports Mulder’s legislation; Department of Health Secretary Melissa Magstadt said testing to differentiate synthetic and natural chemicals is feasible.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.