South Dakota Gov. Vetoes Bill to Raise THC Threshold for Hemp Crops

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) on Thursday vetoed a bill to raise THC levels allowed for unprocessed industrial hemp from 0.3% to 5%. Raising the THC threshold to 5% would have allowed for another processor to extract THC as it develops more uses for hemp after the initial process is completed. 

In her veto statement, Noem said the proposal would have changed the definition of “product in process” by increasing the THC limits which would have allowed hemp products and crops in the state “to contain over 16 times more THC than is currently allowed at the federal level.” The federal limits classify hemp as containing 0.3% THC or less.  

“Only two states allow a product in process to contain up to 5% THC: Colorado and New York, both of which have legalized recreational marijuana. South Dakota voters spoke clearly this…