Virginia hemp businesses seek to block new THC rules

(The Center Square) – Seven Virginia hemp businesses are asking a federal judge to block new restrictions set to take effect Saturday, arguing the change will leave them with products they can no longer legally sell in the Commonwealth.

A hearing is scheduled Wednesday in Roanoke on their request for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.

The lawsuit challenges a provision in Virginia’s new state budget that eliminates what is known as the 25-to-1 exception for hemp products.

Under current law, some hemp products can contain more than 2 milligrams of total THC per package as long as they contain at least 25 times as much CBD as THC.

That exception goes away Aug. 15. Hemp products manufactured or sold in Virginia will then be limited to 2 milligrams of total THC per package.

The restrictions were included in the state budget passed in June as lawmakers worked to avoid a government shutdown. The final budget package was approved without public committee hearings on the hemp ch...