On Thursday, President Trump signed a historic Farm Bill allowing hemp to be considered an agricultural product and it is now legalized federally.
Before you get too excited, if you are so inclined, hemp and marijuana are two different animals. Or plants, in this case. (Video below.)
Hemp and Marijuana are not the same.
Canna Chronicle reported, “hemp is defined in the legislation as the cannabis plant (yes, the same one that produces marijuana) with one key difference: hemp cannot contain more than 0.3 percent of THC (the compound in the plant most commonly associated with getting a person high). Basically, hemp can’t get you high.”
“Hemp, on the other hand, is produced with nearly 100% CBD. According to the new federal law, hemp is legal as long as it contains no more than 0.3% THC. Anything more than that and it’s illegal under the federal ban on marijuana,” Fortune cautioned.
So – what is in the new hemp legislation? First, it “redefines Hemp to include its ‘extracts, cannabinoids and derivatives.'” This is helpful as it overrides the 1970 Controlled Substances Act when it was made illegal. And American “Hemp farmers now may finally access needed crop insurance and can fully participate in USDA programs for certification and competitive grants,” per Canna Chronicle.
Additionally, CC stated, “State and local governments may impose separate restrictions or requirements on hemp growth and the sale of hemp products – however, they cannot interfere with the interstate transport of hemp or hemp products.” And finally, “the FDA continues to exercise jurisdiction over the regulation of ingestible and topical hemp products,” to ensure product safety for consumers. (Video below.)
McConnell whips out a Hemp pen to sign Industrial Hemp provision that landed on the President’s desk!
Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Speaker was a great advocate for the Industrial Hemp provision to pass. He said, “I used my very own hemp pen to sign the conference report, clearing the way for the House and Senate to pass legislation and send it to the president’s desk. I’m proud that the bill includes my provision to legalize the production of industrial hemp. It’s a victory for farmers and consumers throughout our country,” The Hill reported.
