Much Ado About the DEA Interim Final Rule; What’s The Deal With Hemp?
On August 21, 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published an interim final rule (IFR) to implement hemp-related amendments to the Federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) that were made by the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (the “2018 Farm Bill”). According to the DEA, this IFR “merely confirms [the agency’s] regulations to the statutory amendments […]
An End to the FDA Bottleneck? Recent Developments in the Federal Regulation of CBD
Both consumers and members of the industry have been eagerly waiting for the FDA to provide clarity as to the regulatory future of Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD. This overwhelming public interest has translated into substantial, bipartisan political pressure at the highest levels of government. Both the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders have made […]
In With SB837 and Out With Vertical Integration
The vertical integration model that LA MMJ businesses follow has been redefined by SB837. Read on to find out what this means and how it could affect the cannabis industry going forward. Definition: Vertical integration is when a business does not get its products from a wholesaler or distributor but sells what it produces. In […]
USDA Interim Final Hemp Rules
On October 31, 2019 — yes, on Halloween and almost a year after the legalization of commercial hemp production — the USDA finally released its interim final rule (“IFR”) to establish the Domestic Hemp Production Program. As you may recall, on December 20, 2018, the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 — better known as the […]
SAFE Banking: Crucial for Hemp Businesses to be Welcomed by Financial Institutions.
It’s no secret that the conflict between state and federal law has created banking issues for hundreds of state-licensed and regulated marijuana businesses. Cue the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2019 – This bill, better known as the SAFE Banking Act, was passed by the House of Representatives on September 25, 2019 with […]
Hemp and CBD: A New Definition of Industrial Hemp and Expansion of Farmland
While the legislative process continues to mold and direct cannabis regulation (you can read more about the Cannabis bills in Sacramento here), it is also worthwhile to take stock of which hemp and CBD regulatory measures are headed towards Newsom’s desk and which measures are being left behind. SB-527 – Expanding the Availability of Cannabis […]
Another Era of Licensing – CBD and Hemp Applications are Now Available
The U.S. imports about $800 million worth of hemp to be used for its fiber, seed, and oil. Other countries are already using industrial hemp to make a variety of products, including insulation, energy-efficient construction materials, durable fabrics, plaster, plastic, and flooring. Among the biggest foreign growers are Canada and China. With California eager to be […]
When the FDA Met CBD: What Comes Next?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is common, especially on the West Coast. CBD is also an ingredient in Epidiolex, the one Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pharmaceutical containing CBD on the market in the United States. The FDA has long maintained that CBD is legal only in an Epidiolex-type scenario, meaning a pharmaceutical drug available only […]
The Legalities of Interstate Transportation of Hemp
Legalizing hemp is one thing, regulating the hemp industry is another. The 2018 Farm Bill explicitly legalized hemp production in the U.S., but transporting it across state lines is still questionable. In fact, the Farm Bill makes it clear that regulations for the hemp industry must be determined first before the movement of hemp can […]
CBD – Somehow Everywhere, Even Walgreens
CBD, or cannabidiol, is somehow everywhere. You can now find it in patches and creams at Walgreens or CVS. You can get it in coffee and even doughnuts, at least in Portland, Oregon. So, that means CBD is completely legal, right, at least if it is derived from hemp, right? No, not exactly. As discussed […]