Growing Likelihood of Hemp Legalization

Hemp could be removed from the federal government’s list of controlled substances due to a provision in the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, which was recently overwhelmingly approved by the Senate Agricultural Committee (Doheny, 2018). Differentiated from marijuana due to its low THC content, hemp is currently legal to grow only for research or under certain states’ pilot programs (Doheny, 2018).

Should the Act, which is supported by both Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Schumer (D-NY), be signed into law, hemp may be grown both for industrial purposes and as a source of CBD (Doheny, 2018). The Act would define hemp as any portion of the cannabis plant which contains less than 3 percent THC; it would legalize extracts, derivatives, and cannabinoids produced from such portions (Doheny, 2018).

CBD derived from hemp is currently used in products claiming benefits including pain or stress reduction, improved sleep, and better skin health (Doheny, 2018). Federal legalization is likely to increase the marketing of hemp-based products for these and other purposes.

Supporters and opponents of hemp legalization are encouraged to contact their elected officials and make their opinions known. This contact information is available by clicking here.

References
Doheny, K. (2018). Congress may soon make CBD from hemp legal. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20180618/congress-may-soon-make-cbd-from-hemp-legal