There’s an unexpected consequence inside the deal to end the federal government shutdown: making hemp products illegal.
At Surdyk’s in northeast Minneapolis, THC drinks stand out for their popularity.
“There’s teas, there’s ones that are more like soda,” said co-owner Melissa Surdyk.
The drinks make up for 10% of sales at her liquor and cheese shop, according to Surdyk.
“It’s a product that we want to continue to have on our shelves and offer to customers, and you know, give them what they want and what they’re asking for,” Surdyk said.
As part of the Senate compromise to end the government shutdown, THC would be limited to 0.4 milligrams per container, a fraction of the 5 milligrams per serving contained in Surdyk’s THC drinks. The Hemp Industry & Farmers of America said in a statement that the Senate ban could result in the “devastation of an entire industry,” noting that the provision would “ban Delta-8 products, THCA flower, and virtually all hemp-derived cannabinoid products.”
Bob Galligan, director of government and industry relations for the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, is a lobbyist for well over 100 Minnesota craft breweries, most of which, he said, have turned to THC as consumers drink less alcohol. He said, “The language as it stands right now, if it were to go through, decimation is a pretty accurate word.” Galligan believes the 0.4 milligram amount was chosen since it’s imperceptible to the human body.
The ban would not be implemented for a year.
Read more from CBS Minnesota here.
