The 2018 Farm Bill Loophole and What Can Be Done To Address It
Hemp was illegal in the U.S. since 1937 until its legalization with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill made it legal for farmers in America to grow the crop for commercial use. While this was a huge feat in itself, it also created a grey area that allowed intoxicating cannabinoids to be legally sold in various states across the country.
The loophole in question was established when the measure defined hemp as a marijuana plant with a delta-9 THC concentration of nothing higher than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. This interpretation, experts believe, is what led to the proliferation of intoxicating cannabinoids like delta-8 THC, THCP, THCO and delta-10 THC. These cannabinoids are created by chemically converting non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD into psychoactive compounds that can induce a high when ingested.
Currently, the value of this illicit market is an estimated $28 billion, with companies involved generating billions in tax revenue for federal and state coffers. Given that these compounds compete with marijuana in legal states and are easily accessible by anyone, including minors, there is need for regulation both at the state and federal levels.
So, what can be done about this problem?
Already, some states have enacted bans on intoxicating hemp products. These include California, which has signed into law regulations that protect children from these products. Missouri also imposed a ban on all unregulated hemp products, going so far as to prohibit the sale of these products in liquor-licensed establishments. Others like Maryland, Louisiana and Connecticut have imposed regulations on these intoxicating products.
The next Farm Bill is also expected to shed more light on the regulation of these intoxicating products. The specific language used in the upcoming bill may have great consequences for the marijuana industry in the U.S., with some expecting Congress to direct that agencies adopt rules governing the testing, manufacturing, marketing and sale of these products.
Companies that make health claims influencing vulnerable populations or those targeting children may be affected greatly while products with lower levels of THC may not be affected as much, given the growing popularity of hemp drinks.
At the moment, lobbying efforts focused on influencing federal marijuana policy continue, with legislators dealing with different questions from media as well as their constituents about the proliferation of these cannabinoids. Overall, experts believe Congress may find a compromise that doesn’t satisfy the hemp nor marijuana industries.
Hemp industry players like Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) will be hoping that regulatory clarity at the federal level is enacted sooner rather than later so that the hurdles companies face can be addressed.
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
Hemp was illegal in the U.S. since 1937 until its legalization with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill made it legal for farmers in America to grow the crop for commercial use. While this was a huge feat in itself, it also created a grey area that allowed intoxicating cannabinoids to be legally sold in various states across the country.
The loophole in question was established when the measure defined hemp as a marijuana plant with a delta-9 THC concentration of nothing higher than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. This interpretation, experts believe, is what led to the proliferation of intoxicating cannabinoids like delta-8 THC, THCP, THCO and delta-10 THC. These cannabinoids are created by chemically converting non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD into psychoactive compounds that can induce a high when ingested.
Currently, the value of this illicit market is an estimated $28 billion, with companies involved generating billions in tax revenue for federal and state coffers. Given that these compounds compete with marijuana in legal states and are easily accessible by anyone, including minors, there is need for regulation both at the state and federal levels.
So, what can be done about this problem?
Already, some states have enacted bans on intoxicating hemp products. These include California, which has signed into law regulations that protect children from these products. Missouri also imposed a ban on all unregulated hemp products, going so far as to prohibit the sale of these products in liquor-licensed establishments. Others like Maryland, Louisiana and Connecticut have imposed regulations on these intoxicating products.
The next Farm Bill is also expected to shed more light on the regulation of these intoxicating products. The specific language used in the upcoming bill may have great consequences for the marijuana industry in the U.S., with some expecting Congress to direct that agencies adopt rules governing the testing, manufacturing, marketing and sale of these products.
Companies that make health claims influencing vulnerable populations or those targeting children may be affected greatly while products with lower levels of THC may not be affected as much, given the growing popularity of hemp drinks.
At the moment, lobbying efforts focused on influencing federal marijuana policy continue, with legislators dealing with different questions from media as well as their constituents about the proliferation of these cannabinoids. Overall, experts believe Congress may find a compromise that doesn’t satisfy the hemp nor marijuana industries.
Hemp industry players like Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) will be hoping that regulatory clarity at the federal level is enacted sooner rather than later so that the hurdles companies face can be addressed.
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
