Legislation to prohibit production of intoxicating hemp-derived products came under debate in the Kentucky Senate Wednesday. Many of the comments on the floor focused on the Delta-8 compound. Winchester GOP Senator Ralph Alvarado voted "yes." He said there are lots of chemical steps to arrive at the Delta eight product.
“I hate to think that someone thinks they’re getting a benefit of something today and in five or six years their child has a cancer and you wonder where did they get it from. Perhaps it was from a product that wasn’t purified adequately. Because you’re trying to treat them with something that you think has caused them a benefit, only to have a cancer later on in their life. That would not be good,” said Alvarado.
Opponents of the bill say banning Delta-8 could drive some businesses out of Kentucky. Louisville Democratic Senator David Yates said legitimate CBD retailers will properly label Delta eight.
“If we pass this, those good companies are gone. We’re going to have this product out there. The bad people who sell to kids and all those things. They’re going to be here. The good ones will be gone,” said Yates.
Bill Sponsor GOP Senator Paul Hornback said Delta eight is hallucinogenic and possibly toxic. He noted it’s being sold over the counter to anyone of any age. The chairman of the Senate Ag Committee added he will work with House members when it’s considered in that legislative body.
