House updates hemp law to align with federal farm bill, broadens definition of hemp extracts

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House on Feb. 27 passed Senate Bill 105, an update to the state's hemp and cannabinoid statutes that sponsors said aligns state law with changes in the federal farm bill and expands the legal definition of hemp extracts.

Representative Carlene Dahl, the House sponsor, said the bill removes pilot-program language so industrial hemp can be regulated as a standing state program and expands statutory coverage to cannabinoids beyond cannabidiol (CBD) to include substances such as CBG and CBN. "This bill really is just an update to the bill that was passed last session and improves that," Dahl said, adding that the department of agriculture will retain testing and labeling requirements so consumers get what they expect.

Representative Lyman questioned language that would bar an individual convicted of a drug-related felony within the last 10 years from obtaining a license. Dahl replied that the final draft narrows prior provisions and applies felony-level restrictions, explaining the change was intended to reduce risk that illegal marijuana could be concealed in hemp fields and to limit Department of Agriculture verification burdens.

Sponsors emphasized the bill does not permit THC to be marketed over the counter and keeps consumer protections through registration and testing. The House voted to pass the measure 71-0; first substitute SB105 will be returned to the Senate for signature.

The bill requires administrative rulemaking and licensing actions by the Department of Agriculture to implement statutory changes and to ensure testing, labeling and registration requirements are met.