Opinions Divided on How Upcoming Farm Bill Should
Post# of 120
Marijuana companies, state regulators, hemp businesses, prohibitionists and Congressional lawmakers are all scrambling to see their priorities addressed in the upcoming farm bill. While there are some points of agreement by various groups, the points on which they differ are generating measurable tension.
For example, hemp industry actors are disturbed that some marijuana companies have allied with prohibitionists to see some hemp derivatives outlawed. Edward Conklin, executive director of the United States Cannabis Council (“USCC”), sent a letter to select Congressional leaders in April. He indicated that it was complicated to make policy changes regarding hemp and requested that urgent attention be directed toward addressing the loopholes seen in the definition of hemp. He added that Congress needed to create a pathway through which nonintoxicating cannabinoids from hemp can be regulated.
The USCC suggests that intoxicating cannabinoids from hemp be federally outlawed in the same way that marijuana is federally illegal. This view is similar to that of a prohibitionist group Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (“CADCA”). Group leaders wrote to their supporters saying they were of the view that clarifying language be included in the 2024 Farm Bill to exclude semisynthetic derivatives that are intoxicating.
Many stakeholders agree that the existing law on hemp has gaps that have allowed the market for unregulated cannabinoids to sprout. The United States Hemp Roundtable is one such organization, but they aren’t in favor of banning those products. They instead suggest that robust regulations be passed so that public-safety and public-health concerns are mitigated.
The Hemp Roundtable also welcomed the summary released by Democrats in senate regarding changes to be reflected in the new farm bill. Examples of suggested changes include allowing individuals with prior drug-felony convictions to engage in hemp business as well as making it less arduous for people focused on growing hemp for fiber or grain.
The roundtable also observed that it was disturbing that prohibitionists had teamed up with a few marijuana entities to advocate for the banning of certain cannabinoids. The group disagrees with this approach and instead proposes that all products be regulated in a way that denies children access to intoxicating products while allowing adults who want to consume those products to do so.
Jonathan Miller, the roundtable’s general counsel, added that some companies and organizations within the marijuana space view intoxicating hemp products as competing with what they sell. Such people aren’t pleased that marijuana is more heavily regulated while those intoxicating hemp products aren’t. Additionally, many marijuana entities are becoming involved in the hemp space, so the view that prohibition isn’t the way to go is the right one.
Clarity on the future of the regulatory landscape for different hemp or marijuana-derived cannabinoids would help many companies such as Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) to plan better regarding their strategic direction and expansion plans.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/SFWJ
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the HempWire website applicable to all content provided by HW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.HempWire.com/Disclaimer