CBD News Roundup: Test Can Tell the Difference Between THC and CBD

Here’s the latest CBD news:

• A startup has developed a breathalyzer that can distinguish between THC and CBD.
• The governor of South Dakota has said she would not veto hemp legalization again.
• Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is adding more CBD products to its selection.

Startup Creates Test to Distinguish THC and CBD

A startup in a northern suburb of Dallas may have a solution for law enforcement attempting to determine if someone has used THC or CBD.

InspectIR Systems, a startup in Frisco, Texas, has created a breathalyzer test that tells the difference between THC and CBD.

As CBD oil products continue to increase in popularity, along with the legalization of marijuana in several states across the country, police officers do not have a quick way to determine if someone has used marijuana or only CBD.

“This is a widespread problem that isn’t unique to Texas,” said John Redmond with InspectIR Systems.

InspectIR Systems worked with the University of North Texas for two years to create their portable device.

According to Redmond, it only takes 90 seconds for the device to determine how much THC is in a person’s system.

The test can also protect those taking CBD from being accused of using marijuana and impaired driving.

Additionally, if hospitals are involved, it can be vital for them to know the substances a person has used.

“So if you’re taking CBD that you’ve bought at one of the hundreds of stores that have popped up, but you get stopped for impaired driving and you do a drug test and they pop you for THC, but you’ve literally never smoked marijuana, that’s a problem,” Redmond said. “So, we want to empower law enforcement to have both a mobile portable test that they can use but even from a healthcare provider just to know what’s in a person’s system.”

Redmond expects to start selling the devices to law enforcement sometime in 2020.

South Dakota Likely to Legalize Hemp in 2020

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is giving hope to hemp activists in The Mount Rushmore State.

Governor Noem said this week that she would not use her veto to stop hemp legalization a second year in a row, providing that the legislation stays within her prescribed “guardrails.”

“I wanted to just be really palms-up with the Legislature,” said Noem to KELOLAND News. “I still don’t think this is a great idea for South Dakota, but I know they are looking for a solution.”

Some of the guardrails include:

• The Department of Public Safety conducting inspections and the Department of Agriculture overseeing licensing and regulations.
• Regulations should be self-funding through fees.
• Smokable hemp should not be permitted.
• People transporting hemp should have permits in their vehicles.

“I’m in total agreement with the guardrails,” said House Republican leader Lee Qualm. “I’m just really glad the governor was open to taking a look at what we had done.”

The 2020 bill is similar to its 2019 predecessor, but it also allows for the processing of hemp into CBD oil.

If South Dakota does legalize hemp cultivation and CBD oil, it will become the 48th state to do so.

The other states that currently ban hemp are Idaho and Mississippi.

The USDA recently approved the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe’s hemp plan, and other tribes are seeking approval to grow hemp on their land within South Dakota as well.

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market Increases CBD

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is increasing its CBD product selection.

A natural foods grocery store competing with stores like Sprouts Farmers Market and Whole Foods Market, Fresh Thyme will add 99 new CBD products to its collection of 152 at stores in 10 states: Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

“As we continue our commitment to promoting healthy living, we are excited to announce the expansion of our CBD items in the health and beauty, supplement and pet product categories,” Jonathan Lawrence, senior director of grocery and natural living at Fresh Thyme, said in a statement.

The company introduced CBD products to its stores in November 2016.

Fresh Thyme has provided training on CBD to its employees to better help customers.

“We pride ourselves on providing our customers with a wide product selection and in-store employees who can help educate them on the benefits of CBD,” Lawrence added.

According to Fresh Thyme, all the CBD products it sells must be produced in a cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) facility and have a QR code that allows customers to see test results of the CBD concentration.