Legalizing Industrial Hemp in the States NCSL Agricultural Task Force Meeting December 9, 2014 Presented by: Eric Steenstra President, Vote Hemp
What is Industrial Hemp? Industrial hemp is the non-psychoactive, low- THC, oilseed and fiber varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant. Hemp has no use as a recreational drug.
Hemp Cultivation is Legal Under International Law UN Single Convention Treaty Article 28: Control of Cannabis 2. This Convention shall not apply to the cultivation of the cannabis plant exclusively for industrial purposes (fibre and seed) or horticultural purposes.
Uses of Hemp: Thousands of Products
Retail Sales of Hemp in US Grew to $581 million in 2013 100% Imported!
President Obama Signs 2014 Farm Bill
Section 7606 of Farm Bill Authorizes Research & Pilot Programs
Section 7606: Highlights Defines industrial hemp as the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of such plant, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis Applies to states where hemp farming is allowed under state law Allows an institution of higher education or a State department of agriculture to grow or cultivate industrial hemp without a DEA license Requires that sites used for growing or cultivating industrial hemp be certified by, and registered with, the State department of agriculture
Kentucky, Colorado & Vermont Farmers Grew Hemp in 2014
University of Kentucky & Murray State University Grew Crops in 2014 David Williams, Agronomist at University of Kentucky
Challenges to Implementation Lack of domestic supply of hemp seed Section 7606 does not eliminate requirement to apply for DEA license to import hemp seed DEA historically glacially slow in processing requests DEA seized and delayed hemp seed shipments bound for KY Dept. of Ag KY Dept. of Ag sued DEA and worked out arrangement to import seed on behalf of research and pilot programs DEA attempted to block research by private parties under agreement with Dept. of Ag but later agreed to allow it Farmers received seed late in 2014 but expect to be ready for spring plantings in 2015 as many already have seed Farmers in other states did not have support of Dept. of Ag in importing Several additional Universities expected to conduct research including University of Hawaii (has license) and North Dakota State University
10 States Allowed Hemp Farming Prior to the Farm Bill of 2014
8 More States Passed Bills Since Now 18 States Qualify
8 More States Introducing Bills in 2015 Plus New York (awaiting Gov. signature)
Kentucky: Key Political Support Sen. McConnell will be Majority Leader of the Senate in Jan. 2015
Media coverage of hemp in 2014
2014 Hemp Legislation in Congress H.R. 525 Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013 in House currently has 50 cosponsors including 19 Republicans & 31 Democrats Introduced by Rep. Massie (R-KY) Defines hemp and allows states to regulate farming S. 359 Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013 in Senate (companion bill) Currently has 5 cosponsors including 2 Republicans and 3 Democrats Introduced by Sen. Wyden (D-OR) Very similar language to H.R. 525 H.R. 5226 Charlottes Web Medical Hemp Act of 2014 Currently has 37 cosponsors Introduced by Rep. Perry (R-PA) Defines hemp and CBD and allows states to regulate production Use of medical in title is unfortunate as we don t want FDA to regulate as a drug
A Number of States Are Passing Hurried CBD Legislation
Cannabidiol Facts Non-psychoactive Present in small amounts in most cannabis and hemp cultivars Astonishing therapeutic potential Molecular structure elucidated in 1963 Little CBD research until discovery of the endocannabinoid system
Mommy Lobby is New Powerful Force Advocating CBD Legislation
Epilepsy Foundation supporting CBD
Realm of Caring is non-profit representing parents
Sympathetic news stories exploring CBD use to treat epilepsy
CBD and industrial hemp CBD extracted from industrial hemp -- viable but not optimal THC, terpene deficits, loss of cannabinoid synergy Hemp, a phytoremedial plant, raises risk of toxic contaminants Legal grey area
CBD as a nutraceutical CBD as preventive medicine CBD for chronic stress (endocannabinoid signaling essential for stress adaptation ) Big market opportunity CBD for pets Sourcing CBD CBD-rich cannabis, industrial hemp, synthetic CBD Dietary supplement
CBD misconceptions CBD is medical, THC is recreational Psychoactivity is inherently an adverse side effect Single molecule pharmaceuticals are superior to crude whole plant medicinals CBD is most effective without THC CBD-only laws adequately serve the patient population