South Dakota Bill Aims to Raise THC Levels for Hemp Processing

A South Dakota bill that would raise the THC levels allowed for hemp transported between processors in the state from 1% to 5% passed the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee last week on a 4-3 vote, KELO reports. The measure would not change the THC levels – .3% – allowed in retail hemp products.     

Rep. Oren Lesmeister (D), the bill sponsor, testified to the committee that raising the THC threshold to 5% would allow for another processor to extract THC as it develops more uses for hemp after the initial process is completed. Hemp often contains between 1% and 5% THC and those levels can increase during processing. 

Katie Sieverding, of the South Dakota Industrial Hemp Association, told the panel that other states that don’t implicitly allow a 5% THC threshold while processing are ignoring the facts and that raising the threshold would allow more hemp processors to be licensed in the state. 

If approved, the hemp would be transported between processors in containers marked “not for human consumption,” according to the bill text.  

The measure is expected to be heard next by the full Senate, who deferred hearing the bill on February 24. The measure has not yet been heard by any House committees.