The World Health Organization’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence has stated that CBD should not be internationally scheduled as a controlled substance. And cannabis advocates had expected that the committee would release the results of a two-year study on cannabis before the end of 2018.
But the committee still has not presented their report, disappointing many in the industry. That’s because the UN’s Commission on Narcotic Drugs meets this March, and advocates had hoped that the findings would lead to the international removal of CBD from the controlled substances list — and potentially to the rescheduling of cannabis in general.
Back in September, a federal prosecutor targeted a West Virginia hemp farm for allegedly violating the state pilot program’s regulations. According to the lawsuit, the defendants broke the law by purchasing hemp seeds from Kentucky instead of importing them from Europe.
Now, the federal judge overseeing the case has expressed doubts about the merits of the lawsuit. While the case has yet to be decided, the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill may be key to determining the outcome.
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The first ever CBD brand has received organic certification from the USDA. RE Botanicals says that they are “committed to organic and regenerative agriculture,” and all of their products are now USDA-certified organic.
RE Botanicals founder John Roulac is a veteran of the organic agriculture movement, and we spoke to him last year for an article on organic farming practices: Why is it so Hard to Find USDA-Certified Organic CBD?
While there are some hemp farms that have received organic certification, and many CBD brands use organic hemp and other ingredients, this is the first CBD brand to receive USDA certification for their finished products.
The state of Maryland is launching an industrial hemp pilot program, and hopeful farmers may now submit applications to participate. Farmers in the state must partner with an institution of higher learning in order to grow the crop.
Meanwhile, Alabama is launching its own industrial hemp program and has begun accepting applications from interested farmers.
And Indiana farmers are hopeful that the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill will lead to a significant expansion of hemp agriculture in the state. Indiana has a pilot program through Purdue University. But with only 24 acres planted, its impact has been limited.
In Utah, CBD retailers and manufacturers must register with the state in an effort to ensure that the products are safe and accurately labeled.
CBD oil is legal under state law, and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is sending out letters to CBD businesses to make sure that they are complying with regulations.
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