legalizing industrial hemp in the states · legalizing industrial hemp in the states ncsl...
TRANSCRIPT
Legalizing Industrial Hemp
in the States
NCSL Agricultural Task Force Meeting
December 9, 2014
Presented by: Eric Steenstra
President, Vote Hemp
What is Industrial Hemp?
Industrial hemp is the non-psychoactive, low-
THC, oilseed and fiber varieties of the Cannabis
sativa plant. Hemp has no use as a recreational
drug.
Hemp Cultivation is Legal
Under International Law
UN Single Convention Treaty
Article 28: Control of Cannabis
2. This Convention shall not apply to the cultivation of the cannabis plant exclusively for industrial purposes (fibre and seed) or horticultural purposes.
Uses of Hemp:
Thousands of Products
Retail Sales of Hemp in US
Grew to $581 million in 2013
100%
Imported!
President Obama Signs
2014 Farm Bill
Section 7606 of Farm Bill Authorizes
Research & Pilot Programs
Section 7606: Highlights
• Defines industrial hemp as “the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of
such plant, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol
concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis
• Applies to states where hemp farming is allowed under state law
• Allows an institution of higher education or a State department of
agriculture to grow or cultivate industrial hemp without a DEA license
• Requires that sites used for growing or cultivating industrial hemp be
certified by, and registered with, the State department of agriculture
Kentucky, Colorado & Vermont
Farmers Grew Hemp in 2014
University of Kentucky & Murray
State University Grew Crops in 2014
David Williams, Agronomist at University of Kentucky
Challenges to Implementation
• Lack of domestic supply of hemp seed
• Section 7606 does not eliminate requirement to apply for DEA license to
import hemp seed
• DEA historically glacially slow in processing requests
• DEA seized and delayed hemp seed shipments bound for KY Dept. of Ag
• KY Dept. of Ag sued DEA and worked out arrangement to import seed on
behalf of research and pilot programs
• DEA attempted to block research by private parties under agreement
with Dept. of Ag but later agreed to allow it
• Farmers received seed late in 2014 but expect to be ready for spring
plantings in 2015 as many already have seed
• Farmers in other states did not have support of Dept. of Ag in importing
• Several additional Universities expected to conduct research including
University of Hawaii (has license) and North Dakota State University
10 States Allowed Hemp Farming
Prior to the Farm Bill of 2014
8 More States Passed Bills Since
Now 18 States Qualify
8 More States Introducing Bills in 2015
Plus New York (awaiting Gov. signature)
Kentucky: Key Political Support
Sen. McConnell will be Majority Leader of the Senate in Jan. 2015
Media coverage of hemp in 2014
2014 Hemp Legislation in Congress
H.R. 525 – Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013 in House
• currently has 50 cosponsors including 19 Republicans & 31 Democrats
• Introduced by Rep. Massie (R-KY)
• Defines hemp and allows states to regulate farming
S. 359 – Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013 in Senate (companion bill)
• Currently has 5 cosponsors including 2 Republicans and 3 Democrats
• Introduced by Sen. Wyden (D-OR)
• Very similar language to H.R. 525
H.R. 5226 – Charlottes Web Medical Hemp Act of 2014
• Currently has 37 cosponsors
• Introduced by Rep. Perry (R-PA)
• Defines hemp and CBD and allows states to regulate production
• Use of medical in title is unfortunate as we don’t want
FDA to regulate as a drug
A Number of States Are Passing
Hurried CBD Legislation
Cannabidiol Facts
• Non-psychoactive
• Present in small amounts in most cannabis and hemp cultivars
• Astonishing therapeutic potential
• Molecular structure elucidated in 1963
• Little CBD research until discovery of the endocannabinoid system
“Mommy Lobby” is New Powerful
Force Advocating CBD Legislation
Epilepsy Foundation supporting CBD
Realm of Caring is non-profit
representing parents
Sympathetic news stories exploring
CBD use to treat epilepsy
CBD and industrial hemp
• CBD extracted from industrial hemp -- viable but not optimal
• THC, terpene deficits, loss of cannabinoid synergy
• Hemp, a phytoremedial plant, raises risk of toxic contaminants
• Legal grey area
CBD as a nutraceutical • CBD as preventive medicine
• CBD for chronic stress (endocannabinoid signaling
“essential for stress adaptation”)
• Big market opportunity
• CBD for pets
• Sourcing CBD – CBD-rich cannabis, industrial
hemp, synthetic CBD
• Dietary supplement
CBD misconceptions • CBD is medical, THC is recreational
• Psychoactivity is inherently an adverse side effect
• Single molecule pharmaceuticals are superior to
“crude” whole plant medicinals
• CBD is most effective without THC
• “CBD-only” laws adequately serve the patient
population