Attorney General Tim Griffin announced on Apr. 22 the certification of Act 934 of 2025, which updates and expands a previous law banning the sale and distribution of intoxicating hemp-derived products such as Delta-8, Delta-9, and THC-O in Arkansas.
The certification marks a significant development for state efforts to regulate synthetic hemp-derived substances that have been sold without age restrictions. These products were often marketed toward children and led to concerns about adverse health effects.
Griffin said, “Today, I have certified Act 934 of 2025, which updates and expands a 2023 law that banned the sale and distribution of intoxicating hemp-derived products.” He added that he issued a consumer alert in March 2023 due to these products ending up with children. Griffin explained his partnership with Senator Tyler Dees and Representative Jimmy Gazaway in co-sponsoring legislation during the 2023 session. “That legislative effort was a huge success, passing both the House and the Senate with a super majority,” Griffin said.
After an industry coalition challenged the ban in court resulting in an injunction against enforcement, Griffin appealed. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit later reversed this injunction allowing implementation of the ban. According to Griffin, “In less than three months after the 2025 legal victory, DFA seized more than 6,000 illegal hemp products in Arkansas.” Enforcement agents made over 2,800 visits statewide within one month.
State Senator Dees said: “Protecting our children is one of the most important responsibilities of government… Dangerous, unregulated products were consistently ending up in the hands of minors… The profits of those who peddle these products no longer take priority over our kids.” State Representative Gazaway stated: “Today’s certification conclusively ends the practice of selling illegal and intoxicating hemp-derived products in Arkansas… I am proud to have co-sponsored Act 934 to provide oversight and to protect Arkansas consumers from these dangerous products.”
Representative Jon Eubanks also commented: “As Chairman of the House Rules Committee, I was proud to lend my support to this bill… I am pleased that these products no longer pose a threat to the safety of kids in Arkansas.”
The Attorney General’s office operates across public integrity initiatives statewide according to its official website. It offers consumer protection services while handling civil and criminal matters according to its official website. The office serves all Arkansans by providing legal services according to its official website as well as resources for fraud reporting and community education programs according to its official website. It functions within legal and public safety sectors at state level according to its official website.
Reflecting on his team’s work defending earlier legislation against court challenges before final certification this year, Griffin concluded: “It has been a long road to get to this point but I am proud of my team for successfully defending the 2023 law…”
