Big changes are finally on the horizon for hemp in the United States. On Tuesday, October 29th the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) dropped its interim hemp rules pursuant to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill). The 161 pages of interim rules set up a regulatory system for federal government oversight and licensing of hemp farmers across the country. Importantly though, state and tribal law remains hugely relevant in that states and Indian tribes need to submit cultivation plans to the USDA for the agency’s approval, and those plans will also govern the regulatory conduct of hemp farmers. What does this mean? It means that hemp farmers are going to face a bevy of regulations and compliance issues and protocol on the state, tribal, and federal levels in a way they haven’t had to before even under 2014 Farm Bill pilot programs.
To better inform and educate our clients, readers of this blog, and those interested in hemp cultivation and/or production of hemp products, including hemp-CBD, we’ll be hosting a free webinar on Thursday, November 14, 2019 from noon PT to 1 p.m. PT. Join Nathalie Bougenies and Daniel Shortt, who will discuss and analyze the following topics:
- Highlights of the USDA interim hemp regulations including testing, interstate transport, and federal licensing;
- Immediate legal impacts on hemp farmers;
- Ambiguities in the regulations and areas of concern;
- Steps for hemp farmers to take now to best prepare for compliance with the interim rules once they’re finalized; and
- The effect of the USDA regulations on hemp-CBD and hemp-derived products.
Nathalie and Daniel will also take audience questions throughout the presentation.
If you’re interested in this webinar, please register your attendance here.
Even though the interim rules are not yet final, it’s hugely important for stakeholders to get a firm grasp on their meaning and consequence now in order to be better prepared for the future of what the USDA and states and tribes will impose upon hemp farmers and producers. We sincerely hope you can join us on November 14th!
