Senator’s proposal would raise THC allowance in hemp to 1%

Last week, Senator Karla May,  D-St. Louis, filed legislation that could raise the allowable concentration of THC in hemp in Missouri.

While the change would have no impact on hemp products sold outside of the state, SB 1235 would allow for crops with a greater THC percentage than what federal law currently allows to be harvested and used in production.

In 2020, 9% of all hemp crops in the state were destroyed for testing non-compliant – another 22% were never harvested. May’s law would mean that a substantial portion of crops that currently test ‘hot’ wouldn’t be wasted. That means a lot to Missouri’s registered hemp farmers who lose out when they have to destroy a crop.

“It’s important for Missouri to set a reasonable standard, and 1% is within the natural variation of the outstanding majority of hemp cultivars,” explained Missouri Hemp Trade Association Chairman, Tyler Morgan. “Missouri should do everything in its power to ensure restrictions do not cause unreasonable and undue harm to our farmers.”