Florida’s business industry needs to be clear about hemp regulations

Florida’s 2025 legislative meeting is ongoing, with lawmakers once again discussing hemp regulations. The Florida home recently concluded a combined workgroup on hemp, and the law has reappeared to address many of the concerns Floridians about drunken products currently on the market.

While much of the opposition to regulating hemp has focused on how it hurts the industry, I strongly believe that this conversation lacks a critical voice. Frankly, we are tired of being converged in the intoxicating hemp industry and are desperate for clear regulations.

Florida has long been celebrated as one of the most business-friendly states in the country. But as the industry grows and evolves rapidly, it is necessary to ensure that state policymakers and business leaders stay that way.

In 2020, my wife, Chelsea, and I started Anton Ray, a CBD boutique that aims to help people find relief through non-toxic hemp products. By 2023, I had entrusted my career to insurance and dedicated myself to budding work full-time. Today we are fortunate to be able to ship Business Ships CBD products, including Gummies, Lotions and more, across the US, and participate in pop-up shops in Tampa Bay. We plan to continue expanding our footprint across Florida and across the country.

For me, this is more than just business. It is for everyday heroes to create products to find relief – educate and empower others to understand the benefits of plants, whether you are a professional or a parent or not.

However, this trip is not without obstacles. In Florida, the hemp industry can become a complex and confused sector where entrepreneurs participate. The law is ambiguous, regulations may be ambiguous, and there is little distinction between intoxicated and non-toxic hemp products from a regulatory standpoint.

It took a lot of trial and error to get the correct license, navigate the regulatory authority, Florida Agricultural and Consumer Services, and ensure that it met legal marketing requirements.

Last year, the bill helped pass the Florida Legislature to address some of these concerns, but was ultimately rejected by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The governor encouraged Congress to make several amendments to the legislation and return the session to create a regulatory framework for Florida hemp market.

A similar law was introduced this year. This creates a limit on THC, the major psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants, and requires a product package that is drunken hemp products that do not target children, age restrictions should be enforced and form a more clearer pathway for small business owners navigating these bodies of water.

I think it is urgent and necessary for Congress and the governor to work to resolve this session and find wise regulations.

This not only benefits businesses with non-toxic aspects, but also wise regulations, in my opinion, will adopt drunk products. By reassuring consumers that their products are safe, we are preventing these products from falling into the hands of minors, while ultimately creating more legitimate industries that will benefit as the sector grows.

As lawmakers continue this session, we hope that by promoting safety and quality within the industry, encouraging small businesses and ensuring that our state is a hub of opportunity for everyone, they will make meaningful hemp policy reforms to get this opportunity.

Lavaris Jackson is the founder of Antone Rae and a resident of Riverview.