A central Kentucky lawmaker is considering legislation that would add cannabis-infused drinks to products regulated by the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
Republican State Representative Matt Koch of Bourbon County cochairs an interim committee that discussed the expansion in a hearing last week.
“This is something that wasn't even on our radar I'm going to say two years ago, three years ago, they're practically unheard of. And then these things start popping up on the shelves and basically unregulated.”
A new law that took effect this summer limits the amount of hemp-derived THC to 5 milligrams per 12 ounces over objections of the hemp industry. People have been able to purchase the drinks in Kentucky stores since 2023 when the legislature unanimously passed legislation allowing the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to regulate and test the products for ages 21 and up.
Koch and others also discussed having the ABC handle other intoxicants, too. Koch said the goal is to get ahead of the curve.
“Don't we need a department that can handle all future products? Because there are going to be more and more products. Kratoms hit the shelf. There's been nitrous oxide -- laughing gas is actually in that camp,” he said.
ABC Commissioner Allyson Taylor told the committee they have 40 officers for the entire state and they’d need to hire more if new products are added to their portfolio. Koch said he agrees.
“That's one of the reasons why I wanted to get this out early, is so we could start talking about all these things, because we're obviously going to have to beef them up, and that's going to that's going to cost money investigators, you know, etc, that are going to have to come into play,” Koch said.
