On December 12, 2023, a Jackson-based cannabis testing lab, Steep Hill Mississippi, revealed alarming findings regarding over-the-counter cannabis products widely available in Mississippi. Employees and scientists at the lab reported the detection of potentially harmful toxins, as well as excess levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in marijuana, in various products. Testing indicated that some items contained 30 to 40 times the permissible THC levels outlined by federal regulations.
Concerns Over Product Safety
According to Steep Hill scientists, products tested included Delta-9 THC, the most prevalent type of THC found in cannabis plants, with some containing between 12-14% of this compound. Additionally, pesticides such as bifenazate and myclobutanil were identified, raising serious safety concerns. Cliff Osbon, president and co-founder of Steep Hill Mississippi, emphasized that these products fell short of the Mississippi Department of Health’s medical marijuana standards due to the presence of contaminants.
Implications of the 2018 Farm Bill
The legal landscape complicates matters. Following the 2018 U.S. Congress “Farm Bill,” which legalized industrial hemp, products marketed as containing hemp or less than 0.3% THC have proliferated. These items can be purchased without a medical marijuana card, making them accessible in gas stations and convenience stores across the state. Osbon noted that many products labeled as containing Delta-9 THC are derived from hemp and, while they may comply with federal law, their safety is disputed.
Industry Reactions and Legislative Actions
Kelly Williams, founder and CEO of Kelly’s Green, a medical marijuana dispensary in Rankin County, expressed shock and concern over these findings. She stated that such discrepancies jeopardize patient access to safe medicinal products and undermine the entire medical marijuana framework in Mississippi. The lack of age restrictions on these products further complicates safety issues, alarming parents and guardians alike.
Future Legislative Efforts
In response to these troubling findings, Mississippi state representative Lee Yancey, a co-author of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, plans to introduce a new legislative bill aimed at addressing these hemp-based products. Yancey indicated that the bill could introduce stricter testing requirements, impose age limits on purchases, or potentially ban synthetic products entirely, stressing the urgent need for regulatory measures in addressing the burgeoning problem.
Yancey also highlighted reports from school officials regarding minors easily accessing these products, raising significant concerns about public health and safety. The findings from Steep Hill Mississippi have prompted a call to action, with Yancey affirming that the state will pursue solutions to combat illegal sales targeting youth.
