The Push to Increase THC Limits in Industrial Hemp

Currently, federal regulations limit allowable THC levels in hemp to 0.3%. But could that eventually change?

One Kentucky state lawmaker is leading the effort in her state. Senator Adrienne Southworth introduced a bill to increase the allowable amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in hemp to 1%. She hopes her push will motivate federal lawmakers as well.

Hemp has a long history in Kentucky and the state’s influence is significant. US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was instrumental in bringing federal hemp legalization to fruition. Kentucky’s other senator, Rand Paul, previously introduced a bill that would increase hemp’s THC limit to 1%.

“Whether Rand Paul’s bill passes tomorrow or next year, most people I’m talking to say it’s going that way anyway,” Southworth told HempGrower.com. “... If we just wait for everyone else to do it, then we’ll lose our edge.”