January 19th, 2023
RICHMOND, VA – Today, Delegate John McGuire announced he is introducing legislation (HB 1922) to ban the sale of harmful Delta-8 products.
This bill makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to sell, give, distribute, or possess with intent to sell, give, or distribute Delta-8 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), except as authorized in the Drug Control Act. The bill also directs the Department of Forensic Science to determine the proper methods for detecting Delta-8 THC in substances.
"Many psychoactive edible products land in the hands of children because they are a key profit driver for the high-potency THC industry, e.g., gummies. The National Poison Control centers received 2,362 exposure cases of Delta-8 THC products between January 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022, with 41 percent of those calls involving children. Our children should be number one. It is past time to keep Delta-8 products out of the hands of our children. This bill (HB 1922) aims to do just that."
- Delegate John McGuire, Candidate for Virginia Senate District 10
"Delta-8 is dangerous to our children and is a mounting public health crisis," said James Avery, MD, Co-Virginia State Director with the American Academy of Medical Ethics. "High-potency THC intoxicating products like Delta-8 can never be safely regulated—for anyone. Calls to Virginia poison control centers have skyrocketed because toddlers and children like four-year-old Tanner Clements of Spotsylvania County are getting their hands on and swallowing Delta-8 gummies. Tragically, Tanner died this past May. Speaking as a healthcare professional experienced on this issue, Virginia must ban Delta-8 sales as 14 states have already done. We thank Delegate McGuire for introducing HB 1922, which will ban Delta-8 sales and protect Virginia's kids."
James Avery, MD, CMD, FACP, FCCP, FAAHPM
Virginia State Director, American Academy of Medical Ethics
Visiting Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Virginia Medical School
"The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police strongly supports HB 1922, which would prohibit the sale of Delta-8 THC products in Virginia. At least 18 states have restricted or banned Delta-8 THC, recognizing the serious and sometimes fatal harm associated with these products, most of which have targeted their marketing towards children. It's time for Virginia to take action to protect our children and prevent the sales and distribution of harmful, unregulated Delta-8 THC products."
Ms. Dana G. Schrad
Executive Director
Virginia Public Safety Foundation
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