Hemp

House Democratic Group Pushes To Reduce Hemp Growers’ Regulatory Burdens In Next Farm Bill

September 27, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Photo by Brendan Cleak 2017

A pro-business, center-left group of House Democratic lawmakers is pushing to use the next Farm Bill to reduce regulatory burdens on industrial hemp growers. The New Democrat Coalition, which is comprised of nearly 100 House members and describes itself as “united behind a mission to build an economy that works for every American,” released an endorsement slate on Monday that lays out policy priorities as lawmakers begin to craft the 2023 Farm Bill. One of the 44 bills they want… Read more.

Top Wisconsin Democratic Senator Unveils New Marijuana Legalization Bill At Hemp Farm

September 23, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A top Wisconsin Democratic senator has announced the filing of a new and updated bill to legalize marijuana in the state, sharing details about the latest reform push at a press conference she held while surrounded by cannabis plants at a hemp farm. Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard (D) has long championed marijuana legalization in the legislature, and she says her new bill draws from both her discussions with Wisconsin voters as she’s led a “Grass Routes” tour across the… Read more.

State regulators want Congress to redefine, regulate hemp, delta-8 THC

September 21, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

An association of regulators of state cannabis programs is asking Congress to include in the next Farm Bill new rules governing hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoids, including a new definition for what constitutes “hemp” versus marijuana. If adopted, the proposed rules would have broad implications for products containing hemp-derived, intoxicating cannabinoids, including delta-8 THC. Such products have exploded in popularity since the 2018 Farm Bill was enacted. The Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) asked House and Senate committee chairs in a Sept. 15 letter to… Read more.

Wyoming Draft Bill Seeks to Outlaw Hemp-Derived THC Products

September 20, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A draft bill in Wyoming aims to ban hemp-derived THC products and any other hemp products meant for human consumption, Cowboy State Daily reports. Under the proposal, “hemp with any detectable amount of natural or synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as well as any production of hemp for human consumption,” would be banned in the state.   Justin Loeffler, CEO and founder of the Wyoming Hemp Co., told Cowboy State Daily that while he understands why lawmakers are concerned about the products, he said the measure is… Read more.

State Cannabis Regulators Urge Congress To Change Hemp And Cannabinoid Rules Through 2023 Farm Bill

September 19, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A group of state cannabis regulators is asking Congress to change laws around hemp and cannabinoids through the forthcoming 2023 Farm Bill, seeking to adjust the federal definition of the crop and modify rules around hemp-derived cannabinoids. The changes are needed, says the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA), because the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp nationwide, “inadvertently resulted in a thriving market for intoxicating cannabinoid products that are included (or claim to be included) within the definition of ‘hemp.'” The… Read more.

Chicago Officials Considering Only Letting Cannabis Licensees Sell Hemp-Derived THC Products

September 19, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

The Chicago, Illinois City Council is considering a proposal that would allow only businesses that hold a state issued cannabis license to sell hemp-derived cannabis products that contain THC, including delta-8, delta-10, and THC-O, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Businesses without cannabis licenses would still be allowed to sell hemp products with negligible amounts of delta-9, but would not be allowed to advertise the sale of THC, use images associated with cannabis, or call themselves dispensaries.   Second Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins, chair of the… Read more.

Lawsuit challenges Virginia’s new hemp-product restrictions

September 10, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Two hemp businesses and a consumer filed a lawsuit in Virginia federal court contending the state’s new restrictions on low-THC, hemp-derived products is causing financial harm to hemp companies and inhibiting interstate commerce. The lawsuit by hemp-product retailer Northern Virginia Hemp and Agriculture, North Carolina-based grower and distributor Franny’s Operations and consumer Rose Lane argues the new regulations will cause “millions of dollars of irreparable harm” while banning products that were recently legal exacerbates “potential health problems to thousands of Virginians,” the… Read more.

California Sues Multiple Hemp Companies Claiming State Law Violations

September 10, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

California is suing several hemp brands throughout the U.S. claiming violations of the state’s Proposition 65 rules, which require products “known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity” to carry a “clear and reasonable” warning label. Although the 2018 Farm Bill effectively legalized hemp containing 0.3% THC or less at the federal level, in California’s legal system, delta-9 THC is considered a chemical “known to cause harm to the developing fetus” and having any amount present makes a product… Read more.

Judge blocks Arkansas ban on delta-8 THC, other hemp products

September 10, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

In at least a temporary victory for the Arkansas hemp industry, a federal judge blocked enforcement of a recent state ban on products containing intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC. Calling the ban confusing and arbitrary, U.S. District Court Judge Billy Roy Wilson on Thursday granted an injunction that stops the state from enforcing it, according to Little Rock TV station KTHV. The judge’s ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by four hemp-product makers in July – the day before the ban was to… Read more.

Number of Kansas Farms Licensed Grow Hemp Falls to 41 from Peak of 200+

September 6, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

The number of Kansas farmers licensed to cultivate hemp in the state has fallen from more than 200 in 2019 to just 41 this year, KAKE reports. The reduction in licenses comes as the share of Kansas farms growing the crop for CBD oil production fell to less than 5% – in 2019 and 2020, that share was about 90%.    Sarah Stephens, CEO of Midwest Hemp Technologies, told KAKE that while there has been “a reduction in the number of growers and the number… Read more.

Study: Companies Misstate Hemp-Derived THC Dosages & Don’t Actually Test for Impurities

August 29, 2023 ·

A study published last month in the Journal of Cannabis Research suggests that the majority of hemp-derived delta-9 THC products do not state the product’s correct dosage of the cannabinoid on the package and that most of the companies that provided laboratory reports did not actually check for impurities.   The study included 53 hemp-derived delta-9 THC products. The products were sent to InfiniteCAL laboratory which tested potency, the presence of impurities, and whether the delta-9 THC present was natural or converted from CBD.   The presence… Read more.

Do You Get High from Smoking High-CBD, Low-THC Cannabis Flower? (One Step Above Hemp?)

August 26, 2023 · Cannabis.net

Each unique cannabis strain contains varying concentrations of cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), alongside other compounds. Over time, cultivators and agricultural experts have dedicated themselves to cultivating distinct varieties with specific traits, often resulting in hybrids and specialized strains. Historically, the primary goal of growers has revolved around developing cannabis strains with the utmost THC levels, a mindset that persists for many. Elevated THC levels lead to potent psychoactive effects, regardless of whether the strain is categorized as sativa, indica, or… Read more.

USDA Doubles The Number Of Hemp Professionals Serving On Federal Trade Advisory Committees

August 25, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) are again expanding representation of the hemp industry in federal trade advisory committees, doubling the number of officials who will help bolster cannabis commerce. On Thursday, USDA and USTR announced the appointments of two more hemp officials: one a top regulator for the crop in Oregon and the other a member of the National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC). That raises the total number… Read more.

Canadian cannabis companies back off from US hemp CBD market

August 24, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Back in the regulated marijuana industry’s more heady days, a U.S. hemp-derived CBD subsidiary seemed like the must-have accessory for any Canadian cannabis company worth its bud. Canopy Growth Corp. owned a hemp farm in Springfield, New York, and planned to build a $150 million industrial park in Kirkwood, New York, to produce hemp products. Aurora Cannabis bought Reliva – a Massachusetts-based producer of hemp-derived CBD products – in a $40 million deal that included potential earnouts. And Cronos Group spent hundreds of millions of… Read more.

Top Alcohol Industry Association Gives Congress Advice On Regulating Hemp Derivatives Such As CBD And Delta-8 THC

August 23, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

As Congress considers creating a framework to oversee the nation’s cannabis market, a major alcohol association is offering federal lawmakers advice on regulating hemp-derived cannabinoids, including CBD and delta-8 THC. Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA)—which came out in support of federally legalizing marijuana earlier this year—sent a letter to House and Senate committees on Friday in response to the panels’ recent requests for information on navigating CBD and other emerging cannabinoids. “The transition from Prohibition to legal status for alcohol has… Read more.

USDA Teaches Hemp Farmers How To Use Ghostbusters-Like Device To Collect Cannabis Pollen

August 22, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging hemp growers to construct a Ghostbusters-like backpack vacuum that will allow them to collect up to 10 grams of cannabis pollen in less than a minute. It’s part of an effort to gather and distribute the pollen to an international group of researchers and breeders. In an instructional video the agency recently posted, an official with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) first walks viewers through the process of building and setting up… Read more.

Nebraska authorities cracking down on hemp-derived THC sales

August 15, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Nebraska law enforcement is investigating sales of hemp-derived cannabis products containing more than 0.3% THC. Most recently, authorities in Lincoln seized products, paraphernalia and financial records from five stores that previously failed compliance checks earlier this year for testing. According to the Lincoln Journal Star, the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office joined forces with six law enforcement agencies in southeast Nebraska and allegedly bought products containing more than 5% THC from stores in recent months. Store owners and staff caught up in the… Read more.

Federal Standards Handbook Is Getting New Sections On Cannabis Packaging, Labeling And Storage

August 2, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Federal, state and local officials have voted to add a pair of new marijuana items to a federal handbook that are meant to provide model standards for cannabis definitions,  packaging and labeling requirements and best storage practices to control for moisture loss in marijuana flower. At a National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) conference on Wednesday, members of the bicameral conference’s House of Representatives and House of Delegates passed the marijuana proposals that were offered by the Laws and… Read more.

Hemp companies sue to overturn Arkansas ban on delta THC products

August 2, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

A group of hemp companies are suing the state of Arkansas in a bid to overturn a recently enacted ban on intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC and delta-10 THC. The lawsuit was directed at Act 629, which bans the sale of products derived from hemp that are potentially intoxicating. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Act 629 into law earlier this year. Widespread concern over minors’ easy access to hemp-derived products – readily available since the 2018 Farm Bill became law – prompted Arkansas… Read more.

‘Operation Kandy Krush’ In Florida Uncovers Nearly 70k Hemp Products That Target Children

July 28, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

Florida officials on Tuesday completed “Operation Kandy Krush,” uncovering nearly 70,000 packages of edible hemp products with packaging that target children due to their likeness to common, branded, candies such as Air Heads, Skittles, Trolli gummy candies, Jolly Ranchers, Sour Patch Kids, and Life Savers.  The products were outlawed by a measure passed during the 2023 legislative session. The bill defined the term “attractive to children” to mean manufactured in the shape of humans, cartoons, or animals; manufactured in a form that… Read more.

Maryland Hemp Companies Sue State Officials After Cannabis Regulations Force Them Out of Business

July 25, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

The Maryland Hemp Coalition, several hemp farmers, and other business owners on Monday filed a lawsuit against state officials and agencies over a new licensing process they claim is discriminatory and being monopolized, WBFF reports. The lawsuit names Gov. Wes Moore (D), the Maryland Cannabis Administration, and the Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission.  The lawsuit challenges provisions in the state’s adult-use cannabis law that cap levels of THC in hemp-derived products that could be sold without an adult-use cannabis license along with details surrounding… Read more.

8000Kicks Publicity Stunt Raises Hemp Awareness in Berlin

July 23, 2023 · Cannabis Now

For a few chaotic days this week, the city of Berlin found itself utterly inundated with the gift of hemp. Was it divine intervention? Not quite. Instead, it was the result of a clever publicity stunt orchestrated by the CEO and founder of hemp footwear brand 8000Kicks, Bernardo Carreira. Carreira and 8000Kicks are currently promoting their newest product: WEEDO. The limited-edition shoes are made from premium ground hemp flower—500g per shoe, to be exact. The company collaborated with Royal Queen Seeds and… Read more.

Penn State Awarded $1M for Developing Industrial Hemp Projects

July 20, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

Researchers at Penn State have received a $1 million National Science Foundation (NSF) Engines Development Award which will fund the development of the Pennsylvania Industrial Hemp Engine (PAIHE).   The PAIHE, one of 44 projects funded nationally by the inaugural round of NSF awards, will support the manufacture and deployment of bio-based products for application in green building construction, packaging, fabrics, renewable energy, and land remediation.  In a statement, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said the PAIHE launch reflects the university’s “commitment to groundbreaking… Read more.

The Best Uses for the Hemp Plant

July 19, 2023 · Cannabis Now

For the most part, mainstream markets today are completely missing out on the benefits of the versatile hemp plant, from its tiny seeds up to its hardy stalks. Hemp is an excellent crop for farmers because it requires far fewer resources to grow than traditional crops, replenishes the soil with nutrients and has a relatively short harvest cycle. Hemp products contain only trace amounts of THC if any at all, and will not cause a positive drug test result or any intoxication.… Read more.

What is 12-Stories High and Made of Hemp? South Africa Gets Ready to Open First Hemp-Built Hotel

July 18, 2023 · Cannabis.net

The World’s Tallest Building Made Out Of Cannabis Is Going To Open Soon The construction and building industry has primarily been using the same materials for decades now. Unfortunately, many of these materials are found to be dangerous to either the environment or to humans, sometimes both. Nowadays, there is a growing awareness of the health impacts of the materials we use to build homes and the other structures we need in society. But over the last few years, the effectiveness and… Read more.

Meta Allows CBD Advertising

July 16, 2023 · MG Magazine

Hemp and CBD product manufacturers and sellers are blocked from three fewer advertising channels after Meta Platforms Inc.—parent company of social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and Threads—updated its advertising policies. But don’t get too excited. Significant restrictions still apply. Under the new policy, advertisers need written permission from Meta to promote or sell noningestible CBD products that contain less than 0.3 percent THC. Products containing more THC than allowed under federal law, those with psychoactive properties (i.e., delta-8), and ingestibles (edibles, tinctures, capsules,… Read more.

DeSantis Signs Bill Banning Hemp ‘Chewing Gum’ And Other Cannabis Products For People Under 21 In Florida

July 8, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, has signed a bill banning sales of any consumable hemp products—including cannabis “chewing gum”—to people under 21, an expansion of an existing prohibition on young people being able to purchase smokable hemp. The legislation, SB 1676 from Sen. Colleen Burton (R), was signed into law last week and took effect on Saturday. It also creates penalties for businesses that market hemp in a way that’s appealing to children and bans… Read more.

American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp Calls on Congress to Regulate Intoxicating Hemp Products

July 4, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) last week released a policy paper calling on Congress to pass regulations for intoxicating hemp products including delta-8 and delta-9 THC products. The organization says the products “present a threat to public health and safety.” In the paper, “Toward Normalized Cannabinoid Regulation, Regulation of Hemp-Synthesized Intoxicants,” ATACH argues that unregulated, intoxicating hemp products exploit consumer confusion on intoxication levels, have no limitations compared to state-legal cannabis markets on advertising or selling to minors,… Read more.

Only Licensed Hemp Farm In British Isles Shuts Down After UK Government Finds THC In Products

July 2, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

The only licensed farm in the British Isles to cultivate hemp and extract CBD onsite has shut down after the United Kingdom Home Office declared its products illegal, the BBC reports. Jersey Hemp co-owners David Ryan and Blair Jones said they laid off half their staff and halted their sales and growing operations after the UK government said it had found THC in its products and restricted export into the UK.  A Home Office spokesperson told the BBC that the company requires an… Read more.

Opinion: Why MSOs should embrace hemp-derived delta-9 THC products

June 23, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

What if I told you that you could sell real cannabis edibles in traditional grocery, convenience and liquor stores in a few dozen states without being bound by local marijuana laws and regulations? What if I told you there’s a huge opportunity for cannabis companies to get their edibles in front of millions of consumers who would never consider walking into a marijuana retailer, but the biggest players in the MJ space seem too scared to take advantage of it?… Read more.

Pennsylvania Awards More Than $390K in Grants for Hemp Industry Awareness Projects

June 21, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

Pennsylvania on Sunday awarded $392,265 in grants to three agriculture non-profits to fund fiber and food hemp market awareness in the state. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said the grants will “feed the growth of an industry that was once a staple of Pennsylvania’s economy and is once again growing opportunities for new businesses, farm income, jobs, and climate-smart, environmentally sound products.”  Vytal Plant Science Research received the largest grant – $315,765 – to introduce a STEM curriculum to high schools and… Read more.

Pennsylvania Awards Nearly $400,000 To Support Hemp Industry And Teach Students About The Crop’s ‘Many Uses’

June 20, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Pennsylvania’s agriculture secretary announced on Thursday that the state will be distributing $392,265 in matched funding to promote the hemp market—including by creating a curriculum to teach high school and college students about the “many uses” of the cannabis plant. The bulk of the grant funds ($315,765) will support the student initiative, with money being used to create a STEM curriculum “to effectively engage in industrial hemp production, management, and cultivation by promoting and marketing industrial hemp for its many… Read more.

The buildings constructed from cannabis

June 19, 2023 · BBC

Surrounded by verdant fields, Flat House, which sits on a farm in Cambridgeshire, the UK, looks like a typical barn conversion. But inside, the look and feel of the building immediately make you realise this is something quite different. "The walls remind me of hay bale dens we used to make as kids," says Flat House's owner Gemma Barron. "It has the most lovely acoustic quality. And last year we had the heating off for 24 hours in mid-winter and… Read more.

Hemp given special status, added to USDA advisory committee

June 10, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will include hemp in the title of one of its Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs), showing the agency recognizes the crop’s importance as a commodity. Tobacco, Cotton, Peanuts and Hemp is the new name of the ATAC, according to a notice of intent from the USDA. ATACs consult the secretary of agriculture and the U.S. trade representative on agricultural trade. Since hemp was legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, the USDA has worked alongside cultivators across the country,… Read more.

Gaby Just Says No to HempFusion Purchase

June 9, 2023 · Green Market Report

HempFusion now will explore options for bankruptcy.California-based Gaby Inc. (CSE: GABY) (OTCQB: GABLF) said that it will not be moving forward with the proposed transaction with HempFusion Wellness Inc., which the company announced on April 28. Gaby was going to buy HempFusion in an all stock deal valued at C$1.3 million. HempFusion announced on June 1 that it had ceased its manufacturing, research, and development operations, terminated the majority of its employees, and would no longer be shipping its products… Read more.

Illinois Hemp Farm Nets $480K Grant to Build Electric Vehicle Chargers

June 7, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A DuPage County hemp farm is among the recipients of $12.6 million in grants to build chargers for electric vehicles. Kerry Farms will receive nearly $480,000 from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to build the chargers.   The funds for the program are part of the 2016 Volkswagen settlement, from which Illinois received about $109 million. In all, the grants will fund 348 new Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) ports at 87 locations throughout the state.    In a statement, Gov. JB Pritzker… Read more.

Is Hemp is a Threat to the Tobacco Industry?

June 6, 2023 · MG Magazine

For decades, the tobacco industry has been a worldwide behemoth, racking up billions of dollars in revenue and boasting marketing with a far-reaching impact on global culture and society. However, there is a new rookie in the economic market: hemp. This newcomer rapidly has gained popularity since it was federally legalized in the United States, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. Now, hemp is poised to challenge the tobacco industry’s long-standing dominance. Hemp and tobacco are both plant commodities, but… Read more.

Hemp Building Materials Included in National Mall’s Innovative Housing Showcase

May 31, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

Hemp building materials, including hempcrete, will be on display on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. as part of the annual Innovative Housing Showcase. The showcase takes place June 9-11.  The hemp building materials – including hempcrete, hemp blocks, hemp wood flooring, hemp wool batt insulation, hemp rebar, geopolymer hemp stucco, and quickcrete – will be exhibited by the US Hemp Building Association (USHBA).  In a press release, Ray Kaderli, USHBA president, noted that in Europe, hemp has been used in… Read more.

Hemp Chic

May 17, 2023 · Cannabis Now

Founded by Ally Ferguson in 2014, seeker made its public debut in 2016, offering a contemporary and sustainable low-impact wardrobe for modern, conscious consumers. Celebrities including Billie Eilish, Jameela Jamil and Charlize Theron are fans of the sinsemilla streetwear brand based on thoughtful designs and timeless silhouettes. The name Seeker is a nod to the fashion line’s stated ethos of evolving to be better than what we’ve been, of knowing more, of exposing people to another way of thinking—and being comfortable with… Read more.

Congresswoman Asks National Botanic Garden To Grow Marijuana Plants Outside Of The U.S. Capitol

May 12, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A congresswoman is asking for marijuana plants to be displayed at the U.S. Botanic Garden near the Capitol in Washington, D.C. in recognition of state and federal efforts to legalize cannabis. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) wrote a letter to the executive director of the living plant museum, which is run by Congress and located near the U.S. Capitol Building, on Wednesday, requesting that both male and female marijuana plants be added to the national garden. Norton expressed appreciation that… Read more.

Charlotte’s Web Maintains Strong Gross Profit Margins Amid Net Revenue Decline

May 12, 2023 · Green Market Report

There was a 57.7% improvement in the adjusted EBITDA loss over the year. Hemp-based CBD giant Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CWEB) (OTCQX: CWBHF) reported its first-quarter financial results on Thursday ending March 31, 2023. Despite a 12.1% year-over-year fall in net revenue, the company managed to reduce operating expenses by 14%, ending with a solid $61 million cash balance. The financial review for the quarter painted a nuanced picture. While consolidated net revenue was $17 million, down 12.1% from $19.4 million… Read more.

Connecticut Cannabis and Hemp Convention set for Hartford’s XL Center May 20 and 21

More than 150 cannabis industry exhibitors are expected in the capital city May 20 and 21 as the XL Center hosts the Connecticut Cannabis and Hemp Convention. NECANN, which has been developing cannabis industry conventions since 2014, announced Wednesday its inaugural Connecticut convention for the weekend of May 20 at the XL Center.  The organization said in a news release the XL Center convention will be "the largest B2B cannabis industry event ever in Connecticut" with more than 40 educational sessions… Read more.

US hemp plantings plummet in 2022 as production shifts to northern states

May 9, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Hemp plantings in the United States were nearly cut in half in 2022, with 28,400 acres dedicated to growing the plant – slightly more than the acreage set aside for Christmas trees. Put another way, at 44.4 square miles, outdoor and indoor hemp cultivation in the U.S. would fit almost entirely on Hilton Head Island, the beach and golf resort area off the coast of South Carolina. Or, for Mickey Mouse fans, most of the nation’s hemp could be grown… Read more.

Tennessee Legislature Passes Hemp Cannabinoids Regulation Bill

May 8, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

cannabis stretches into the sky / cannabis growing in the open air

The Tennessee General Assembly last week gave final approval to a hemp-derived cannabinoid regulation bill, sending it to Gov. Bill Lee (R), WATE reports. The legislation aims to regulate the production, sale, and distribution of hemp products that contain delta-8 and delta-9 THC.   Under the measure, manufacturers and sellers of hemp products that contain THC must obtain a license from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture by January 1, 2024. The bill also requires that hemp products that contain THC are tested for safety at an… Read more.

High times: How Texas stumbled into a legal cannabis market and what it could mean for pot

May 5, 2023 · Yahoo!News

Walk into a gas station or smoke shop and you’ll see them on the shelf, packaged in colorful boxes with flavors like fruity pebbles, magic mango and grape ape gusher. Like marijuana, these cannabis-based products deliver a high. But unlike marijuana, these products are legal in Texas, thanks to laws that allowed the cultivation of hemp. Strawberry flavored gummies are for sale in a smoke shop walking distance from Pascal High School. Sticky amber-colored oil for vaping with a pineapple scent sits… Read more.

Canadian Fiber Composite Manufacturer Secures $40M to Fund Hemp Projects

May 1, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A Canada-based manufacturer of natural fiber composites has secured $40 million in funding from a private New York Family Office that will assist the firm in hemp-related projects including the construction of a hemp fiber processing facility in western Canada.  In a statement, INCA Renewable Technologies CEO and Chairman David Saltman said the funding “is an important milestone” for the firm.  INCA has deployed its fiber processing and bio-composites innovation and manufacturing to produce lighter prepregs for the automotive industry, large… Read more.

USDA Report Shows Major Decline For Hemp Industry In 2022, With Stakeholders Blaming FDA ‘Inaction’ On CBD

April 24, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

The hemp industry took a major plunge in 2022, a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows, and stakeholders say the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) refusal to issue regulations for CBD products is largely to blame. USDA’s National Hemp Report shows significant losses in the value and cultivation of the non-intoxicating cannabis crop across every metric that it analyzed for 2022. Last year, “the value of hemp production in the open and under protection for the United States… Read more.

Report: Hemp Production in West Virginia Nosedives

April 22, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

Cultivation of industrial hemp in the open in West Virginia fell nearly 50% from 2021 to 2022, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data outlined by WBOY. In all, there were 65 acres of hemp planted in the open in the state in 2021; in 2022, that fell to 35 acres.   The total area of hemp harvested in the state for all purposes also fell from 43 acres in 2021 to 30 acres in 2022, the report says. Hemp grown… Read more.

2 Minutes With … Holly Teegarden, Founder of Moodporium & Cannamood Apparel

April 20, 2023 · Muse by CLIO

On starting over and pivoting toward passion Holly is on a mission to change the representation of women, particularly over the age of 30, within the cannabis industry. Four years ago, she started Moodporium, a hemp dispensary in Pittsburgh that ships across the country. In 2022, Holly discovered that the cannabis merchandising sector didn't have apparel that spoke to her middle-aged, low-key self and cannabis lifestyle. She asked around, and others agreed. So, Cannamood Apparel was born. Now, Holly collaborates with female artists to create clothes… Read more.

Detroit Dispensary As Cannabis Casino, Delaware Legalization, Florida’s Hemp Issues And More

April 16, 2023 · Benzinga

Florida House Committee OKs Hemp Product Restriction Bill Following the approval of a bill related to regulating for hemp-derived products, entrepreneurs are concerned that the bill could put them out of business. The proposed bill, HB 1475, sponsored by Republican Will Robinson Jr. of Manatee County, aims to limit the amount of THC in retail hemp products. This move is in response to the growing popularity of Delta-8, a legal product that has led to proposed hemp regulations in over 20 states in the past two years.… Read more.

Federal Bill Aims to Reduce Regulations for Hemp Farmers Producing Grain and Fiber

April 5, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A bipartisan bill proposed in the U.S. Senate would reduce regulations for hemp farmers producing grain and fiber. The legislation, introduced last week by Sens. John Tester (D-MT) and Mike Braun (R-IN), would end background checks for farmers who are only growing the crop for fiber and grain and end mandatory sampling and testing of crops grown only for fiber or grain.   In a statement, National Hemp Association Executive Director Erica Stark said that the current federal regulatory framework “revolves around… Read more.

Virginia Gov. Proposes CBD Carveout for Crackdown on Hemp-Based THC Products

March 31, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) is proposing a CBD carveout to a proposed state law that would enact strict regulations on hemp-derived THC products, the Virginia Mercury reports. Under the governor’s plan, hemp products that contain a 25:1 ratio of CBD to THC would not be affected by the broader hemp industry reforms being considered by lawmakers.   Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter told the Mercury on Tuesday that the amendment continues the governor’s “efforts to crack down on dangerous THC intoxicants including synthetic products such as… Read more.

Arizona part of national crackdown effort on hemp-derived Delta-8 THC

March 28, 2023 · Axios

Arizona is among several states moving to crack down on delta-8 THC, a hemp-derived substance that's largely unregulated. The big picture: Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas and Virginia are all eying legislation to close delta-8 sales loopholes over concerns that kids could consume it, Axios' Tina Reed reports. Details: Delta-8 is chemically similar to delta-9 THC, which is the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. It's manufactured from the cannabidiol, or CBD, that occurs naturally in hemp. Many users report the high that results from consumption… Read more.

South Dakota Gov. Vetoes Bill to Raise THC Threshold for Hemp Crops

March 24, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) on Thursday vetoed a bill to raise THC levels allowed for unprocessed industrial hemp from 0.3% to 5%. Raising the THC threshold to 5% would have allowed for another processor to extract THC as it develops more uses for hemp after the initial process is completed.  In her veto statement, Noem said the proposal would have changed the definition of “product in process” by increasing the THC limits which would have allowed hemp products and crops in… Read more.

Bipartisan Senators File Bill To Ease Restrictions On Industrial Hemp Farmers

March 24, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A bipartisan pair of U.S. senators have filed a bill to reduce regulations on farmers that grow industrial hemp for non-extraction purposes. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced the Industrial Hemp Act on Thursday—the latest piece of congressional legislation focused on the crop, which was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill. As it stands, hemp and its derivatives like CBD that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight are not controlled substances, and… Read more.

Hemp Company Sues Partner Over Alleged ‘Ponzi Scheme’

March 20, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A New Jersey hemp company is suing a Massachusetts biotech company claiming it operated a “Ponzi scheme” by using more than $700,000 it raised from the firm to fund its own projects, Salem News reports. In its lawsuit against the Salzman Group, Delta Technologies claims the drug development company took their money and used their machinery in other, failed, projects.  According to the lawsuit, Salzman Group Chairman and CEO Dr. Andrew Salzman agreed to put together a “large team of scientists” to help Delta and its… Read more.

Would Let Individuals with Drug Convictions Obtain Hemp Licenses

March 15, 2023 ·

A bipartisan bill introduced in the House last week would allow individuals with drug convictions to obtain a hemp license. The 2018 Farm Bill, which expanded the federal government’s hemp legalization policies, prohibits people with a felony drug conviction within the past 10 years from cultivating hemp. The measure, dubbed the Free to Grow Act, is backed by Republican Reps. Nancy Mace (S.C.) and David Joyce (OH), along with Democratic Reps. David Trone (MD) and Senior House Agriculture Committee Member Chellie Pingree… Read more.

Synthetic cannabinoids further rift between marijuana and hemp industries

March 13, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Schiefertafel mit der chemischen Formel von THC

Tennessee-based Gold Spectrum picked an inopportune day last month to debut an edibles line. On Feb. 13, the hemp company – which has five retail locations in Tennessee and sells products in other states – announced the release of several flavored “Delta 8 + THC-O Cereal Bars.” Popularized nationwide as a marijuana alternative since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, delta-8 THC can be found throughout states with no legal access, including Tennessee. But THC-O, also known as THC… Read more.

Bill allowing CT hemp growers into cannabis industry approved by key panel

March 7, 2023 · Stamford Advocate

Connecticut's hemp farmers would be allowed a path into the cannabis industry under legislation that passed overwhelmingly Tuesday in a key legislative committee. The amended bill, which next moves to the state House of Representatives, would let dozens of small hemp growers apply for state cultivator or micro-cultivator licenses under the Department of Consumer Protection's cannabis program. The legislative General Law Committee approved the bill after a brief debate. The action occurred following a recent public hearing in which farmers said that during the few… Read more.

Virginia Lawmakers Send Bill Restricting Hemp Products To Governor

February 25, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Photo by Brendan Cleak 2017

Both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly voted Friday to pass a bill to toughen regulations on hemp-derived products that contain intoxicating THC through a more robust permitting system and stricter labeling rules. Retail marijuana sales will remain illegal under the proposed law. Proponents of the bill called it a necessary first step toward cracking down on largely unregulated THC products, including increasingly common delta-8 edibles, that have created safety and consumer protection concerns. “I think this will go a long way… Read more.

Louisiana Governor Signals Crackdown On Intoxicating Hemp Products

February 15, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) said Louisiana residents will see a government clampdown on unregulated THC products that can cause a person to get high. The governor and legislators may also seek to tweak a related law about hemp products during the Louisiana Legislature’s spring session. “I’m not one who favors legalizing marijuana and I don’t want something that…has a THC content that is effectively the same thing,” Edwards said in an interview Tuesday. “You’re going to see more enforcement,… Read more.

Global Industrial Hemp Market will grow to US$ 15.01 Billion in 2028

January 19, 2023 · Yahoo! Finance

New York, Jan. 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Industrial Hemp Market, Global Forecast 2023-2028, Industry Trends, Growth, Impact of Inflation, Opportunity Company Analysis" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06381990/?utm_source=GNWIndustrial hemp is a versatile plant that can be built up for its fiber, seed, or oil. Over time, industrial hemp has evolved into an even greater variety of products, including health foods, organic body care, clothing, construction materials, biofuels, plastic composites, and more. Furthermore, The U.S. Department of Agriculture… Read more.

New York Governor Signs Bill Encouraging Businesses To Use Hemp For Construction, Packaging And Other Purposes

December 14, 2022 · marijuanamoment.net

As New York prepares for the imminent launch of legal adult-use marijuana sales, the governor has signed a bill aimed at expanding the state’s hemp market by promoting collaborative partnerships to identify more opportunities to utilize the crop and its derivatives for packaging, construction and other purposes. Bill sponsor Sen. Michelle Hinchey (D) announced on Tuesday that Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) approved her legislation late last month. It would amend a section of New York’s agriculture law that deals with… Read more.

Food sector is chance for Colorado hemp to rebound, U.S. group says

November 22, 2022 · Hemp Today Net

As Colorado hemp stakeholders kick the CBD habit, they have the opportunity to establish the state as a hotbed for hemp food production, according to a recent analysis and call to arms from the Hemp Food Association (HFA). With a small but enduring group of legacy hemp food companies, proven products and established production and supply chains, Colorado is well-positioned in a health-oriented consumer market that is turning more and more to natural products. “Colorado could maintain its historical standing in the… Read more.

Hempcrete Approved for US Residential Building Codes

October 4, 2022 · Hemp Build Mag

Hemp building materials were officially approved in the model US residential building code at a Louisville, KY public hearing overseen by the International Code Council (ICC) last week. At the meeting, the ICC closed the public comment period for hemp+lime (hempcrete) constructionfor inclusion as an appendix in the upcoming 2024 International Residential Code (IRC). This was the final step to approve the appendix as part of the new code. The new code will be published in 2023 with Hemp-Lime (Hempcrete)… Read more.