KBI look to ban THC drinks, shop owners push back

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Kansas is just one of many states to break into the infused drink market. That means that people looking to avoid alcohol can purchase drinks that contain THC.

But now, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation says it is going to start investigating these drinks. They say that drinks containing 10 milligrams or more of THC are illegal.

But local businesses like KannaBliss say the KBI is misinterpreting the law.

“They have to be very careful because cannabis happens to be the most litigated industry in America,” said KannaBliss’ owner, Brett Harris. “If you’re walking in and taking legal products out of wine, you’re going to get sued.”

The KBI says that under the 2018 farm bill, products that are hemp-derived can only have up to 0.3 percent of THC. But KannaBliss disagrees, saying that under that bill, hemp-derived products may contain up to 60 milligrams of THC, as long as the overall concentration of that drink remains at 0.3 percent or lower.

“It is the law of the land, 0.3 percent or below on a dry weight basis is legal, federally, in America,” said Harris. “And until something comes and changes that, it remains legal.”

Harris says that Kansas’ lawmakers don’t know what they’re talking about, and encourages people worried about this crackdown to contact them.