State Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) is concerned about the increasing number of people being involved in DUIs that are testing positive for THC.
The issue came up in the Legislature this week as a bill introduced by State Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence) to regulate hemp-derived THC products failed Wednesday in the Senate Committee on Healthcare.
Givhan believes the lawmakers are going to have to pass something regulating THC products. He discussed the matter Thursday on WVNN’s “The Dale Jackson Show.”
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“One of the things that’s been fascinating to me to find out is that…for DUIs, this last year is the first time ever that THC has passed alcohol for DUI,” Givhan explained. “So we’ve got a problem, and we’ve got to deal with it.”
Those who opposed the bill argued it would create a bigger black market for products like delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10.
Givhan said they should at least regulate what kind of retail outlets can sell products containing THC.
“I think what we can control is that they go in a shop and not ABC stores because we don’t want the state government doing that,” he said. “But either the private package stores or vape shops that are only 21 years, confine them there where they’re not in every C store and every grocery store.”
The lawmaker stressed the need to ensure that minors don’t have easy access to the drugs.
“Somebody pointed out one when we were in a deli the other day, and they pointed out what just kind of looked like a regular drink,” Givhan said. “A THC-infused drink sitting there at one of the more popular restaurants in Montgomery. So you got to get this stuff where kids can’t get to it, and you got to hammer people that sell to children. I think that needs to be our focus.”
Possession of a Schedule I controlled substance is currently a Class D felony in the Yellowhammer State.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
