Senate Bill No. by Senator Talbot seeks to amend Louisiana's laws concerning industrial and consumable hemp products by introducing new definitions and clarifying existing terms related to their cultivation, processing, and distribution. The bill establishes licensure requirements for growers, processors, and consumable food manufacturing distributors, along with annual fees for these licenses. It also sets forth regulations for the distribution of industrial hemp products, mandating that distributors possess specific certifications and licenses. Notably, the bill prohibits the sale of certain hemp products intended for inhalation unless they are manufactured or distributed by licensed entities and restricts the sale of alcoholic beverages containing CBD or THC.

Additionally, the legislation requires that only licensed consumable food manufacturing distributors, registered with the Louisiana Department of Health, can sell hemp products. These distributors must pay an annual licensing fee of $500, maintain a current food manufacturing license, and obtain a "Good Manufacturing Practices" certification by December 31, 2023. The bill imposes strict reporting requirements, necessitating monthly reports on the distribution and sale of hemp products, with significant fines for non-compliance. An electronic reporting system will be established to facilitate data submission to the Department of Revenue, with the aim of enhancing accountability and regulation within the hemp industry, effective August 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
SB495 Original: 3:1467(B)