Hemp is now legal in the United States, but with serious restrictions. Research on hemp is still important, and hemp producers are treated the same as other farmers. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently finalized federal regulations for hemp, and industry stakeholders are encouraged by the improvements over the initial interim rules. However, there is still room for additional changes, which they expect to occur during the next Biden administration.
In addition to the federal regulations, state policy makers have considered several political issues related to hemp production, such as the definition of hemp, the licensing of producers, the regulation and certification of seeds, state commissions and the legal protection of producers. At least 47 states have enacted laws to establish hemp production programs or allow research on hemp cultivation. The Marijuana Act was passed in 1937 by the Federal Government, which prohibited the cultivation of marijuana and industrial hemp. These new regulations offer much-needed guidance for farmers and others involved in industrial hemp production.
It's true that section 12619 of the Farm Act removes hemp-derived products from their List I category under the Controlled Substances Act, but the legislation doesn't legalize CBD in general. In states that choose not to design a hemp regulatory program, the USDA will create a regulatory program under which hemp growers in those states must apply for licenses and comply with a program administered by the federal government. The Colorado Department of Agriculture's Industrial Health Program deals with all aspects of industrial hemp production in Colorado. The legalization of hemp has had a positive impact on many aspects of society.
A study by the American Medical Association revealed that treatment of hemp is associated with a “sharp decrease” in excessive alcohol consumption. A Gallup survey showed that now more Americans smoke marijuana than cigarettes, for the first time in history. A study also revealed that marijuana does not turn people into lazy “stoomers” as is stereotyped on television. The pharmaceutical industry has suffered billions in losses after states legalize marijuana, according to a new study.
Dr. Oz admits that marijuana is a “safer solution” than prescription drugs, and attacks his Senate rival for his support for legalization. The White House states that Brittney Griner is “unjustly detained” after pleading guilty in a Russian cannabis case, prompting calls for national reform. The US Border officials want to buy “cannabis analyzers” to detect cannabinoid profiles and distinguish marijuana from psilocybin.
The NBA players' union partners with former star Al Harrington in a line of CBD products that will be sold by Amazon and Walmart. The feds will send samples of marijuana and hemp to laboratories as part of a study of precision testing on a large scale. The Virginia Senate holds its first hearing on the legalization of marijuana, and more are scheduled next week. Georgia lawmakers talk about the next steps for psychedelic research for military veterans in a committee hearing.
California governor signs a child welfare bill that treats marijuana use by parents in the same way as alcohol. San Francisco legislators unanimously approve The resolution to decriminalize psychedelics. Hemp is now a true American crop, and its legalization has had positive impacts on many aspects of society. While recreational use of cannabis is prohibited in the United States, state laws may vary regarding hemp production programs or research on hemp cultivation.
