As the legalization movement in the U.S. continues to advance, so too does the movement to legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp. In fact, while many states have already taken action to draft and pass legislation related to commercial hemp, there are also bills pending in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives regarding the legalization of industrial hemp.
The following highlights more about the current state of hemp and CBD commercialization in the U.S. While this information provides important insights about the shifting views and tides related to industrial hemp in the U.S., please don’t hesitate to contact the trusted experts at Canna Elixirs whenever you need answers or guidance about the best CBD and THC products.
Have Questions about CBD or THC Products?
Call (720) 908-0777 or Email Us for
Answers & Help Finding the Right Products for You
We also encourage you to check out our Products Page for a complete list of our high-quality, in-demand CBD and THC tinctures, capsules, punches, sodas, lotions and more.
Commercialization of Hemp & CBD: States’ Actions
As of June 2018, at least 35 states have passed laws regarding industrial hemp. While some of these laws only allow research facilities and educational institutions to cultivate hemp, others permit the growth of hemp for commercial purposes.
Some specific policy issues that have been addressed by different state laws include (and are not limited to):
* The definition of hemp
* Licensing and certifications for hemp growers
* Requirements for waivers to be obtained from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
* Pilot programs to test out new methods of researching and regulating hemp cultivation and commercialization
* The establishment of commissions and other programs to oversee and enforce states’ hemp laws.
In addition to the District of Columbia, the 35 U.S. states that have industrial hemp laws (as of June 2018) include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut , Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts , Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee , Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Details regarding the specific hemp laws by state can be viewed at the State Industrial Hemp Statutes page, put together by the National Conference on State Legislatures (NCSL).
Federal Bills Proposed to Legalize Industrial Hemp
While states have largely spearheaded the move to legalize industrial hemp for cultivation and commercialization, some federal legislators have followed their lead by proposing new bills aimed at legalizing agricultural and industrial uses of hemp in the U.S.
Introduced on April 12, 2018, these bills include:
- House of Representatives (H.R.) Bill 5485, introduced by Rep. James Comer
- Senate (S.) Bill 2667, introduced by Sen. Mitch McConnell.
Both of these bills would fully legalize hemp in the U.S. and would remove most restrictions on growers’ access to crop insurance, banking and more.
Explaining the motivation behind these bills, Sen. McConnell has stated:
During the recent state work period, I talked to a number of farmers, manufacturers, and small business owners who expressed enthusiasm for hemp’s potential… [This bill] will
success of the hemp pilot programs and spur innovation and growth within the industry… By legalizing hemp and empowering states to conduct their own oversight plans, we can give the hemp industry the tools necessary to create jobs and new opportunities for farmers and manufacturers.
These bills are currently pending committee review, after which they may brought the floor (of their respective legislative bodies) for a vote.
At Canna Elixirs, we closely follow the legal issues and changes regarding hemp and marijuana in the U.S. As future changes are made to existing state and federal cannabis laws and policies, we will share the latest updates with you. In the meantime, please contact us for help finding the best CBD and THC products for your needs.
Contact Canna Elixirs for the Best CBD & THC Products
Call (720) 908-0777 or email us to speak with cannabis experts at Canna Elixirs and get answers about our products and/or to place an order.
For more than a decade, Canna Elixirs has been offering potent, high-quality, innovative, safe and effective CBD and THC products. Known as industry pioneers, we have an unwavering commitment to excellence and quality when it comes to sourcing, researching, developing and testing every product we sell.
Canna Elixirs only uses the highest quality strains of organically grown and naturally processed hemp, and we are fully dedicated to being the number one choice for CBD and THC products. From Denver, Canna Elixirs is proud to support and serve clients across the state of Colorado.