The Next Big Challenge for Hemp: The 2024 Farm Bill
The future of hemp stores like PhenomWell in North Carolina, and across the nation, faces significant uncertainty with the upcoming 2024 Farm Bill. The current legal framework, established by the 2018 Farm Bill, allows for the sale of hemp products with up to 0.3% Delta 9 THC. This legislation has fostered a burgeoning industry of farmers, processors, and retailers who have adapted to these regulations, much to the benefit of consumers who enjoy access to these products.
Many customers often ask, “When are they going to legalize it?” Our response has been that, in essence, they already did. The 2018 Farm Bill effectively legalized a broad range of hemp products, leading to a thriving industry. A recent article from The Atlantic titled "Congress Accidentally Legalized Weed Six Years Ago" delves into this accidental yet impactful legalization.
However, this current framework is at risk. The 2018 Farm Bill, which was due for renewal in 2023, was extended to this year. Recently, it was voted out of the Agriculture Committee with amendments that could potentially dismantle the hemp industry. While the Committee Chairman has expressed support for maintaining the status quo, there is a strong movement aimed at banning hemp and marijuana entirely in the United States.
Additionally, efforts to de-schedule marijuana were recently thwarted by the House Appropriations Committee, which approved a bill preventing the DEA and DOJ from using funds to support the change. This dual threat, coming from the U.S. House of Representatives, to both hemp and marijuana, underscores the precarious position of the industry.
Specifically, Congresswoman Mary Miller introduced a last-minute amendment that could devastate the hemp industry. This amendment aims to ban all forms of THC, including trace amounts. The bipartisan vote on this amendment suggests that some members may not have fully understood its implications for a multi-billion-dollar industry.
While the House of Representatives will vote on the Farm Bill, its passage is uncertain. The bill also includes significant cuts to SNAP benefits, making it unlikely to pass the Senate or be signed by the President. Despite these challenges, the threat to the hemp industry remains, as it is a small part of a much larger agricultural bill that impacts the entire nation.
The primary concern is that hemp may not receive the attention it deserves during discussions of the Farm Bill. There is a growing awareness among lawmakers about the versatility of the hemp plant and the products it can produce, such as THCA flower, D9/CBD chocolate, and THC seltzer waters. Despite this, the Mary Miller amendment explicitly targets THCA, aiming to ban it even in trace amounts. The amendment seeks to redefine hemp to include only "naturally occurring, naturally derived, and non-intoxicating cannabinoids."
Here are some links for more information:Hopefully, the industry will get the attention of lawmakers so that this item comes up for discussion before the final bill passes.
Many customers often ask, “When are they going to legalize it?” Our response has been that, in essence, they already did. The 2018 Farm Bill effectively legalized a broad range of hemp products, leading to a thriving industry. A recent article from The Atlantic titled "Congress Accidentally Legalized Weed Six Years Ago" delves into this accidental yet impactful legalization.
However, this current framework is at risk. The 2018 Farm Bill, which was due for renewal in 2023, was extended to this year. Recently, it was voted out of the Agriculture Committee with amendments that could potentially dismantle the hemp industry. While the Committee Chairman has expressed support for maintaining the status quo, there is a strong movement aimed at banning hemp and marijuana entirely in the United States.
Additionally, efforts to de-schedule marijuana were recently thwarted by the House Appropriations Committee, which approved a bill preventing the DEA and DOJ from using funds to support the change. This dual threat, coming from the U.S. House of Representatives, to both hemp and marijuana, underscores the precarious position of the industry.
Specifically, Congresswoman Mary Miller introduced a last-minute amendment that could devastate the hemp industry. This amendment aims to ban all forms of THC, including trace amounts. The bipartisan vote on this amendment suggests that some members may not have fully understood its implications for a multi-billion-dollar industry.
While the House of Representatives will vote on the Farm Bill, its passage is uncertain. The bill also includes significant cuts to SNAP benefits, making it unlikely to pass the Senate or be signed by the President. Despite these challenges, the threat to the hemp industry remains, as it is a small part of a much larger agricultural bill that impacts the entire nation.
The primary concern is that hemp may not receive the attention it deserves during discussions of the Farm Bill. There is a growing awareness among lawmakers about the versatility of the hemp plant and the products it can produce, such as THCA flower, D9/CBD chocolate, and THC seltzer waters. Despite this, the Mary Miller amendment explicitly targets THCA, aiming to ban it even in trace amounts. The amendment seeks to redefine hemp to include only "naturally occurring, naturally derived, and non-intoxicating cannabinoids."
Here are some links for more information:Hopefully, the industry will get the attention of lawmakers so that this item comes up for discussion before the final bill passes.