Today, President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill, a revolutionary piece of legislature for multiple industries, but most importantly: the hemp industry. For decades, hemp (and in turn CBD itself) has been listed as a Controlled Substance, putting it alongside marijuana and other intoxicating substances. However, moving forward, hemp will be placed under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture.

This change will revolutionize the CBD industry, which had been living in a legal gray area for decades. Some regulations were eased with the 2014 Farm Bill, but it was still very difficult for CBD companies like us to follow the guidelines, as some were up almost entirely to interpretation.

With the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp farmers are going to have the ability to participate in USDA programs for certifications for competitive grants, that partnered with a CBD industry that was worth $350 million in 2017 (even with the regulations), the sky is the limit for our industry!

CBD and Hemp Going Forward

The exclusion of hemp from the list of controlled substances will relieve much of the confusion regarding legality on a state-by-state basis. Also, with the FDA being finally able to run studies on the effects of CBD, the public’s perception and understanding on CBD will be changed for the better. New studies and research will help all of us better understand how and when to use CBD and more. We are excited to see more research studies and are planning on partnering strategically with companies to develop our own research as well.

With the increase of public understanding, will come a huge expansion for the industry. This explosion of the industry will allow us to continuously make the best quality products for our customers.

The Highlights Of The 2018 Farm Bill

You can read the entire 807-page report, or you can read the main points below, highlighted by attorney Jonathan Miller from Frost Brown Todd LLC:

• “By redefining hemp to include its “extracts, cannabinoids and derivatives,” Congress explicitly has removed popular hemp products — such as hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) — from the purview of the CSA. Accordingly, the Drug Enforcement Administration no longer has any possible claim to interfere with the interstate commerce of hemp products. This should give comfort to federally regulated institutions — banks, merchant services, credit card companies, e-commerce sites, and advertising platforms — to conduct commerce with the hemp and hemp product industry.”
• “Hemp farmers now may finally access needed crop insurance and can fully participate in USDA programs for certification and competitive grants.”
• “State and Tribal 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. We are hopeful that local and state officials will follow Congress’ lead, as well as the statements and resolutions of the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that declare, after intense scientific scrutiny, that CBD is safe, non-toxic, and non-addictive.”

“The FDA continues to exercise jurisdiction over the regulation of ingestible and topical hemp products.  We applaud the agency’s continued efforts to crack down on bad actors who undermine the industry through misguided marketing claims.  And while we are concerned about non-binding statements made by the FDA that have led some state and local officials to question the legality of the retail sale of hemp-derived CBD, we are hopeful that we can work with the agency to clarify that CBD – which their own scientists concluded has no abuse potential and does not pose a risk to public health – should not be withheld from Americans who count on it for their health and wellness.”

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