Florida

Florida lawmakers move again to ban delta-8, restrict hemp marketplace

Published

4 days ago

March 18, 2025

Florida lawmakers move again to ban delta-8, restrict hemp marketplace

TALLAHASSEE — Less than a year after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed legislation that would overhaul Florida’s hemp marketplace, Florida senators are trying again.

On Monday, a bill that would reform the hemp marketplace moved through its first committee meeting in the Senate. The House hasn’t heard any companion legislation yet.

Some of the ideas in the package senators moved forward are the same as what was in the bill that DeSantis vetoed last year. Others are new.

When DeSantis vetoed last year‘s bill, he said it would impose too harsh a burden on small businesses.

But the sponsor of both this year’s legislation and the vetoed bill said lawmakers also need to weigh concerns about the health and safety of hemp products.

Here’s what to know about what the proposal, SB 438, would mean for hemp businesses and users.

Banning delta-8

Many of the products currently lining smoke shops around the state would become illegal under Sen. Colleen Burton’s proposed bill, including any delta-8 products.

The cannabis plant contains more than 100 cannabinoids. Delta-9 is what users typically think of as THC, and is a compound that creates a high sensation.

While delta-8 can also create a psychoactive effect, it is thought to be less potent and occurs in lower quantities naturally than delta-9. But producers can use a chemical process to convert other cannabinoids into delta-8, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The bill would change the definition of hemp extract to prohibit it from containing “any quantity of synthetic cannabinoids.” It would also ban delta-8, delta-10, HHC, THC-O-Acetate, THCP and THCV.

Last year, a similar ban was in the bill DeSantis vetoed. Opponents said the ban could affect products with trace amounts of those cannabinoids that aren’t meant to create a “high” sensation, like certain CBD tinctures.

Remaining legal products under the bill would be capped at 5 milligrams of delta-9 THC per serving or 50 milligrams per container.

Requiring alcohol licenses

Under the bill, canned beverages that contain THC could only be sold at shops with a license to sell alcohol.

It would also require a cap on the strength of THC drinks, limiting them to 5 milligrams per unopened can. The bill would also prohibit alcohol from being included in a beverage with THC.

According to a Harvard Medical School blog, the cannabinoids found in beverages are designed to dissolve easily in liquids – which means they lead to a quicker effect as they are absorbed in the body.

Michael and Caitlyn Smith, owners of the St. Petersburg-based non-alcoholic bottle shop Herban Flow, opposed the beverage requirements.

Both said requiring their store, which centers around not selling alcoholic beverages, to have a license for alcohol doesn’t make sense.

Michael Smith said he’s in favor of going after delta-8 and synthetic cannabinoids, which he said is what lawmakers are really seeking.

“They’re trying to take a bill to shut down the smoke shops, and they’re sweeping us along inside of it when our mission is different,” Michael Smith said. “We’re trying to provide an alternative to people looking to stay away from alcohol.”

Limiting hemp shop advertising, locations

If passed, the bill could mean no more strip malls filled with back-to-back smoke shops.

The legislation would limit where a store selling hemp could set up. It would ban a shop selling hemp from setting up within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a gas station or another retail shop with a permit to sell hemp.

When DeSantis suggested how the Legislature could reform the hemp marketplace in his veto letter of last year’s bill, he said lawmakers should “consider measures to prevent the ubiquity and concentration of these retail locations in communities across the State.”

The bill would also restrict what hemp shops look like to visitors. Current shops can have products that are easily accessible. The proposal would require that all hemp products, aside from beverages, be kept out of reach in either a locked display or in an area accessible to only employees.

Advertising would also significantly change. Businesses would no longer be able to advertise using the words “THC,” “medical card” or any other similar term.

Businesses would also no longer be able to advertise in a way that’s visible to members of the public from the sidewalk or street, which would make hemp shops operate like medical marijuana facilities.

Testing regulations

Hemp in Florida would be tested in the same labs where medical marijuana is tested under the bill, and two lab employees would need to verify it meets potency requirements and is free from contaminants.

The bill would also create an avenue for state officials to randomly test products from the shelves of hemp shops.

If a tested product fails, it would need to be recalled.

A Times/Herald analysis showed that many hemp products have a THC level high enough to classify as marijuana, and some contained contaminants unsafe for human consumption.

Burton said testing would make sure that “products are indeed hemp products and not marijuana products dressed in hemp clothing.”

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Florida

FHP, ICE discuss arrest of alleged gang member in Florida

Published

9 hours ago

March 21, 2025

Press Room

FHP, ICE discuss arrest of alleged gang member in Florida

Officials from the Florida Highway Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are discussing the arrest of Franklin Jose Jimenez-Bracho, a citizen of Venezuela and alleged gang member of Tren de Aragua. Formed in a Venezuelan prison, the gang has branched out to become a multinational crime organization. Bracho’s arrest is the first arrest in the nation under the Alien Enemies Act.

Posted March 21, 2025 3:33pm EDT

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Florida

How to watch Tennessee vs. South Florida: Odds, storylines for women’s NCAA Tournament matchup

Published

21 hours ago

March 21, 2025

Press Room

How to watch Tennessee vs. South Florida: Odds, storylines for women’s NCAA Tournament matchup

The fifth-seeded Tennessee Lady Vols are a made-for-TV team with a fast offense and a knack for draining 3-pointers. No. 12 South Florida faces a massive uphill battle that may get a small boost from Tennessee’s weaknesses on defense. Tennessee is favored by nearly 20 points.

We’ve got a breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses on both sides of the matchup, plus odds, projections and expert picks. Team profiles written by The Athletic’s Michael Waterloo.

How to watch Tennessee vs. South Florida

What: Birmingham 3 Regional, first round
Venue: Schottenstein Center — Columbus, Ohio
Time: 8 p.m. ET, Friday, March 21
TV: ESPN
Streaming: Fubo (try for free)
Watching in-person? Get tickets on StubHub

Own your bracket pool with The Athletic
Projecting the bracket | Best picks to win the title | Best bracket names

No. 5 Tennessee Lady Vols

Strengths: The Lady Vols push, push, push on offense, as they play a quick style. They rank second nationally in scoring, thanks in part to Arkansas transfer Samara Spencer and South Carolina transfer Talaysia Cooper. Opponents facing Tennessee must be ready for a barrage of 3-pointers. The Lady Vols rank third nationally in made 3-pointers and finished second in 3-point attempts.

Weaknesses: Their offense is stellar, and it’s a good thing because their defense struggles, as we saw in their SEC tournament loss to Vanderbilt. They rank in the 19th percentile in points allowed per game. So when the 3s that Tennessee relies on aren’t falling, it can make for a long day at the office if the Lady Vols aren’t getting defensive stops. Adding to the defensive issues are the number of fouls by Tennessee. Tournament games can be decided at the free-throw line. Tennessee averaged north of 20 fouls per game, which just isn’t a recipe for success in March.

Outlook: This Tennessee team is fun. The fast-paced, high-scoring nature of this squad is made for TV and the tournament. It’ll all come down to how they play defensively. Tennessee, despite the number of 3-pointers hoisted, ranks in the 97th percentile in offensive rebound rate, so if the Lady Vols can keep possessions alive for second-chance points and limit transition buckets, their offense can overcome their defense like it has all season.

No. 12 South Florida Bulls

Strengths: The Bulls do enough well without doing anything especially great. Sixth-year senior Sammie Puisis leads the scoring pace for the Bulls, averaging 14.8 points per game and shooting 39.5 percent from 3.

Weaknesses: Puisis can shoot from a distance, but the Bulls focus on shot attempts from inside the arc. If defenses are isolating Puisis, can someone like Vittoria Blasigh take on the scoring assignment?

Outlook: South Florida has advanced to the Round of 32 in two of the last three seasons, so it isn’t impossible. But advancing past the first weekend? I’d be surprised.

This matchup can also be streamed on ESPN+.

Tennessee vs. USF odds

Streaming and Betting/Odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication

(Photo of Talaysia Cooper, Ruby Whitehorn, and Kaniya Boyd: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)

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Norfolk State vs Florida Prediction: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends and Stats for 2025 March Madness

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2025

Press Room

Norfolk State vs Florida Prediction: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends and Stats for 2025 March Madness

The No. 16 Norfolk State Spartans (24-10) are set to face the top seed in the West Region, the Florida Gators (30-4) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Spartans clinched their spot in the tournament with a 66-65 win over South Carolina State in the MEAC Championship game. Brian Moore Jr. leads the team averaging nearly 19 points per game.

The Gators secured a No. 1 seed with an 86-77 win over Tennessee in the SEC Championship game. Florida boasts a high-scoring offense, averaging 85 points per game, and a solid defense allowing just 69 points per game. Guard Walter Clayton leads the team with averages of 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game.

The winner of this game earns the right to play the winner of the UConn vs. Oklahoma game.

Lets dive into the matchup and offer some information and possibly a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch the opening tip, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Game details & how to watch Norfolk State vs. Florida

Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
Time: 6:50PM EST
Site: PNC Arena
City: Raleigh, NC
Network/Streaming: TNT

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest scores and player news. Check out our day-by-day NCAA Basketball Schedule Page that includes live game updates.

Game odds for Norfolk State vs. Florida

The latest odds as of Thursday courtesy of BetMGM:

Odds: Norfolk State Spartans (+3300), Florida Gators (-10000)
Spread: Gators -28.5
Total: 153.5 points

Expert picks & predictions for Norfolk State vs. Florida

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NCAA calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, injuries, and the schedule.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday’s Spartans & Gators game:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on Florida -28.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 153.5.

Norfolk State vs. Florida: Top betting trends and recent stats

Norfolk State is 12-1 in their last 14 games
Norfolk State is 1-7 against the spread in their last 8 games (17-11 ATS for the season)
Florida has won their last 6 games
Florida is 6-0 against the spread in their last 6 games (23-8 ATS for the season)
The Game Total in each of Florida’s last 6 games has cashed to the OVER

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NCAA Basketball Top Trends Tool on NBCSports.com!

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
· Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
· Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
· Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
· Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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