FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
INDUSTRIAL HEMP ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 4, 2021
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of previous meeting’s minutes
3. Discussion:
1. Chair Updates
2. Rule Developments
3. New Business
4. Public Comment
5. Adjourn
said, “The transition from prohibition to a legal and regulated system takes time, and USDA’s final rule is a historic step forward for hemp in the U.S. Many are justifiably disappointed by the DEA’s continued (and in some ways expanded) role in the agricultural hemp program, but there were also a number of positive improvements. The expanded harvest window, alternative disposal/remediation authorizations, and increase of the standard of negligence to 1% will be critical to building a successful hemp industry, and they indicate the USDA gave meaningful consideration to stakeholder’s comments. We are undoubtedly making progress, and we will continue to work with regulators and through Congress to perfect the regulatory structure for hemp.”
Twenty percent of those aged 18-29 said they use CBD products, followed by 16 percent for ages 30-49, 11 percent for 50-64 years old and eight percent for those aged 65 years or older.
An average of 50 percent of Americans 18 years old or older said they don’t use CBD products, while 35 percent said they are not familiar with them.
Those aged 65 and older were the least familiar with CBD — 49 percent said they don’t know CBD products, compared to between 26-36 percent for the other age brackets.
Information is becoming a catalyst for CBD Use.
CBD products also seem to be more popular in the western U.S., with 21 percent of western respondents saying they used the products, compared to 11-13 percent for the rest of America.
Women are more likely to use CBD for anxiety than men (25 percent versus 14 percent), and men are more likely to use it for sleep (15 percent versus eight percent).
While CBD is marketed for many other purposes — such as for stress, muscle soreness, inflammation, for pets, and as skincare — five percent or less of respondents said they use it for those reasons.
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. is still researching CBD’s uses and effectiveness.
Gallup concludes that while right now CBD is used most by younger people, older Americans stand to gain the most from the products as it can help them with the aches and pains that come with age.
Familiarity is fairly similar across societal groups, including by gender, party ID and most age categories. However, half of seniors vs. roughly two thirds of those under 65 know something about it.U.S. Adults’ Familiarity With CBD Oils.
Aware Americans Think CBD Is Beneficial
Nikki Fried as AG Commissioner has instituted Hemp Innovative
Those who are familiar with CBD oils credit the substance with having health benefits,
Confidence in CBD is also much greater the more people know about it.
The CBD-oil arena is extremely active right now, including medical research into its benefits, state legislation governing its sale, federal legislation encouraging its production and corporate investment growing in the business. According to Forbes, retail sales for CBD products were between $600 million and $2 billion last year but are expected to grow to $16 billion by 2025.
It’s a long list when you’re looking at the states it’s legal to grow hemp in 2019 — especially since only three states in the entire country didn’t make the cut.
That said, the restrictions placed by agricultural departments at the state level can severely impact the opportunities for hemp growers.
The 2018 Farming Bill paved the way for farmers to cash in on this incredible crop. However, it’s necessary to research the laws in your state before you get your hopes up. In addition to looking at the current regulations — with so many legislatures reviewing laws regarding industrial hemp growing — you’ll want to keep an eye on what’s potentially coming down the pipeline as well.
Industrial Hemp Farming – Where Is It Legal?
The industrial hemp farming act removed the plant from the list of controlled substances. The 1937 Marihuana Tax Act ban included hemp. However, farmers grew it in locations like Kentucky during the 1950s! It was also widely grown during World War II due to its many uses, which we discuss later on.
The Bill didn’t legalize CBD, nor did it guarantee the legal operation of an industrial hemp farm in every state. It made it clear that states had to develop a plan and submit it to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Therefore, states are allowed to prohibit the growth of the plant.
The Farm Bill didn’t legalize CBD, nor did it guarantee the legal operation of an industrial hemp farm in every state.
At present, Idaho stands alone as the only American state to prohibit industrial hemp cultivation. Both Mississippi and South Dakota passed legislation in hemp’s favor in 2020. Incidentally, both states also legalized medical marijuana in November 2020. South Dakota went a step further. Recreational cannabis could be on sale in SD from 2022.
According to News America, Indiana is now one of the twenty-nine states with approved hemp licensing for commercial businesses.
Many states have submitted their plans for approval. Others have yet to do so and are happy to fall back on the Farm Bill regulations.
If you intend to grow hemp, there are plenty of considerations. Too many farmers are seduced by the potential riches that await them. Some estimates suggest one can earn $100,000 per acre. Of course, you must subtract a myriad of expenses. Nonetheless, this is less of an issue if you grow over 100 acres of high-quality hemp! In most states, up to 90% of all hemp is developed for the CBD industry. This is a shame because it is a crop with phenomenal potential.
What Are Industrial Hemp’s Uses?
The number #1 use of the crop is for the billion-dollar CBD market. It is understandable but limits the potential of this fantastic plant. If you think long and hard, you could develop a long list of useful industrial hemp products. Remember, this is a crop that once dominated the American landscape. Estimates vary, but it is believed that you can make approximately 25,000+ products from the plant!
The settlers at Jamestown in Virginia grew the crop in the 17th century; it was mandatory! Copies of the Bible were made with hemp paper, as was a draft of the Declaration of Independence. Humans used the crop for centuries with industrial hemp fiber, a particular favorite. In the early 1900s, hemp-derived cellulose was championed as a renewable and affordable raw material for plastics.
The key will be to get yourself situated in a state where it’s legal to grow hemp in 2019, and then get your hands on the right seeds and clones to ensure you have the highest quality crop come harvest time
The article also stated Indiana has started accepting hemp cultivation and processing licenses in November for the 2021 growing season. The state is offering one general hemp license and another one for agricultural hemp seed production. Applicants are also required to submit their personal address, GPS coordinates, where the hemp is located and a legal description of the property used for the hemp operation.
Many other states are also currently negotiating commercial hemp licensing plans with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as farmers increasingly seek to grow hemp for manufacturers seeking cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN) and cannbigerol (CBG) for oils, lotions, foods and beverages. With more than 25,000 uses for hemp, farming hemp for textiles, insulation, pet bedding and more are increasing at an exponential rate.
(Source/Credit: News Americas Now)
One theory posits that hemp’s ability to replace synthetic materials such as plastic and nylon was a primary reason for its prohibition. You could make the argument that hemp was a threat to certain industries. DuPont produced neoprene in 1930, for example. However, the same company didn’t invent and patent nylon until the mid to late 1930s.
Incidentally, there is disagreement over the year that nylon was patented. Some sources suggest it was 1937, pbs.org suggests it was 1935, and other sources say it was 1938.
Regardless of the year, the anti-marijuana hysteria in the United States was already at a fever pitch by the mid-1930s. Perhaps the likes of the DuPont family were heavily involved in the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, though we’ll never know.
What we do know is that the world was robbed of an incredible resource for decades. There are thousands of uses for hemp. Perhaps one of the most important is as a replacement for plastic. Hemp plastic is an eco-friendly alternative to the carbon-based plastics we use today. The hemp version is usually recyclable and biodegradable.
Is it a viable alternative for plastic, however? Can hemp even replaceplastic?
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