NHA participated in a conference call with Congressman Polis and staff for an update on the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2017. Congressman Comer recently held a similar conference call.
This federal legislation would remove hemp from the CSA and open up commercial activity and exports.
Congressman Polis (D-CO) and Congressman Comer (R-KY) have been champions of this cause and NHA is proud to support their efforts.
While there was an earnest attempt to increase the THC level to .6%, ultimately the compromise ended up being that .3% will be removed from the CSA while up to .6% is allowed for research. Up to .6% will not expose farmers to prosecution or having to destroy their crop even though it cannot be sold commercially if tested higher than .3%. It also addresses the whole plant, including extracts, although it does not eliminate the need for FDA approval for new medicinal products.
By default, passing this legislation and removing hemp from the CSA should address the banking issues currently facing the hemp industry.
The chair of the committee is a prime sponsor so there is great hope that the bill will be introduced this week (before August recess) and that it will move out of committee and to the floor in the fall.
It's politics so this timing is far from certain, but there is reason to hope we can get this moving quickly!
Stay tuned for updates and ways you can help push this important legislation through!
About National Hemp Association:
The National Hemp Association is a leading 501(c)6 trade association that supports the growth and development of all aspects of the emerging industrial hemp industry. Based in Colorado, the association serves hemp farmers, processors, manufacturers, researchers, policy makers, elected and appointed officials, the investment community and citizens who are in favor of the re-birth of industrial hemp as a major U.S. crop. More information at: www.NationalHempAssociation.org.
For more information contact:
Geoff Whaling
Board Chairman | National Hemp Association
geoff@nationalhempassociation.org
(610) 554-6929
Erica McBride
Executive Director | National Hemp Association
erica@nationalhempassociation.org
(610) 468-2311
