Farm Bill Amendment on Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids Tops CBT’s May Stories

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee has completed its markup of the 2024 Farm Bill, introducing significant changes to the hemp industry. An amendment by Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) proposes banning products containing intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta-8 THC and altering the legal definition of hemp to include tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) when calculating total THC on a dry-weight basis. This change would impose stricter standards for the 0.3% THC threshold necessary for legal hemp classification.

Industry Impact

These legislative changes could have severe consequences for the hemp-derived cannabinoid industry and the hemp fiber and grain markets. Editorial Director Noelle Skodzinski’s report on these potential impacts was among the top 10 most-read articles on Cannabis Business Times this month.

Related Developments

In related news, the Department of Justice’s decision to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III drug has generated significant interest. Additionally, articles covering the positions of all 100 U.S. Senators on the SAFER Banking Act, the 47 Ohio localities enacting cannabis moratoriums, and the reintroduction of a Senate bill to federally legalize cannabis also saw high engagement.

The proposed changes in the 2024 Farm Bill legislation could reshape the hemp industry, emphasizing the need for stakeholders to stay informed and engaged as the legislative process continues.