There are new regulations on hemp in Alaska that require the ingredient that gets a user “high” to be removed. Dan Ferguson of Primo Alaska, which makes several hemp products, said in June that the proposed changes would make between 90-95% of all hemp products in the state illegal.
Hemp is used primarily for commercial and industrial products such as rope, clothing, and food. It’s legal across the United States.
Many people tend to assume hemp isn’t intoxicating, but in some cases, it can be — if it contains Delta-9 and THC. These new regulations, which go into effect Nov. 3, mean Delta-9 can no longer be in hemp designated for human consumption. Delta-9 THC is the naturally-occurring intoxicating component of the cannabis plant. THC is the primary psychoactive compound from the cannabis plant and is chiefly responsible for getting people high.
It also means stores selling the intoxicating hemp aren’t required to pay the high taxes on the product that cannabis shops are required.
“They don’t carry the same tax burden as that applies to our recreational marijuana cultivators,” Wilson said. “You know, right now, even during these difficult times, they’re [the cannabis industry in Alaska] contributing about $28 million into the general fund, the Marijuana Education fund, the Criminal Recidivism fund.”