Hemp is legally allowed in the United States, but with certain restrictions. Research on hemp is still essential. Hemp producers are treated the same as other farmers.
Hemp is
now a true American crop.At least 47 states have passed laws to create hemp production programs or permit research on hemp cultivation. Pilot programs that are allowed to study hemp (often referred to as “industrial hemp”) were approved by both the United States and Canada. However, the new Farm Bill does not create a completely free system in which people or companies can grow hemp whenever and wherever they want. Growers can now purchase coverage if they have a contract to purchase insured hemp and comply with all applicable state, tribal and federal regulations.
States, which already allowed industrial hemp programs, continued to consider policies related to licensing, funding, seed certification, and other issues. For decades, federal law did not differentiate hemp from other cannabis plants, all of which were declared illegal in 1937 under the Marijuana Tax Act and formally declared illegal in 1970 under the Controlled Substances Act, the latter outlawing cannabis of any kind. Second, there will be significant and shared state and federal regulatory power over hemp cultivation and production. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees hemp cultivation as the responsible federal regulatory agency. While both hemp and marijuana products are species of the cannabis plant, hemp is generally distinguished by its lower concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The drug approval process offers significant benefits to prescribers and patients, including those seeking to prescribe or use hemp products for therapeutic purposes. We recognize that hemp producers, the food and supplement industry, the pharmaceutical industry, retailers, academic institutions, patients and consumers want and need regulatory security in this area. A wide range of products, including fibers, textiles, paper, construction and insulation materials, cosmetics, animal feed, food and beverages, can use hemp. The FDA also knows that products containing CBD are available in these jurisdictions, as well as in jurisdictions that have not enacted any legislation related to the legalization of cannabis. Many advocates applaud Leader McConnell for his management of these hemp provisions in the Farm Bill and for his leadership in legislation in general. Nor does it impose restrictions on the sale, transportation, or possession of hemp-derived products, provided that those items are produced in a manner consistent with the law.
