Louisiana’s Hemp Industry Challenges New State Law in Federal Court
A federal lawsuit has been filed by the Hemp Association of Louisiana and Cypress Hemp LLC against the state of Louisiana, challenging a new law that tightens restrictions on hemp-derived products. The law, which took effect in June, redefines “industrial hemp” based on total THC content rather than just delta-9 THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis.
The lawsuit argues that the new law effectively recriminalizes many hemp-derived products that were previously legal under both state and federal law. The plaintiffs claim that the law violates the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized hemp nationwide, and that it is unconstitutional and unconstitutionally vague.
The lawsuit seeks to have the new law declared unconstitutional and is requesting a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction against enforcement. The plaintiffs argue that enforcing the law could lead to thousands of lost jobs in the state and turn farmers, business owners, and consumers into criminals overnight, despite no change in federal law.
The lawsuit is the latest challenge to state restrictions on hemp-derived products. In June, a federal judge blocked enforcement of South Dakota’s ban on smokable hemp products, finding it likely violated the 2018 Farm Bill’s protections for interstate commerce in hemp.
