Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
POLITICSKey Congressional Committee Officially Schedules Vote On Marijuana Legalization BillPublished 3 hours ago on November 18, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
A key House committee has officially announced that a vote on a comprehensive marijuana legalization bill is scheduled for this week.
The House Judiciary Committee said on Monday that the panel will mark up legislation introduced by Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), which would federally deschedule cannabis and address social equity, on Wednesday at 10:00 AM ET. The announcement confirms what sources familiar with the planned development told Marijuana Moment last week.
Nadler’s Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act has been lauded by advocates for its emphasis on restorative justice for communities most impacted by the drug war.
It calls for a five percent federal tax on marijuana sales, and that revenue would be used to fund programs such as job training, legal aid for those affected by prohibition and small business loans for individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged. The bill also seeks to lift barriers to licensing and employment in the industry.
Additionally, the legislation would expunge the records of those with prior cannabis convictions, provide for resentencing, block federal agencies from denying public benefits or security clearances as a result of marijuana use and protect immigrants from being denied citizenship over cannabis.
House Committee Press Releases
@PressreleaseB
Committee on the Judiciary - DemocratsH.R. 5038, the “Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019”; H.R. 3884, the “Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019” or the “MORE Act of 2019”; H.R. ___, the “Satellite Television Community Prot… https://ift.tt/35em0ND
H.R. 5038, the “Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019”; H.R. 3884, the “Marijuana Opportunity...
judiciary.house.gov
4
10:34 AM - Nov 18, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
See House Committee Press Releases's other Tweets
“Our marijuana laws disproportionately harm individuals and communities of color, leading to convictions that damage job prospects, access to housing, and the ability to vote.” Nadler said in a press release. “Recognizing this, many states have legalized marijuana. It’s now time for us to remove the criminal prohibitions against marijuana at the federal level. That’s why I introduced the MORE Act, legislation which would assist communities disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of these laws.”
House Judiciary Dems
?
@HouseJudiciary
.@RepJerryNadler: Our marijuana laws disproportionately harm individuals and communities of color, leading to convictions that damage job prospects, access to housing and ability to vote. It’s time for us to remove the criminal prohibitions against marijuana at the federal level.
389
1:26 PM - Nov 18, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
178 people are talking about this
Text of an amendment in the nature of a substitute from Nadler that Judiciary members will take up was also released on Monday. It includes a new “findings” section that discusses racial disparities in marijuana enforcement, the growing state-level legalization movement and the challenges that individuals from disadvantaged communities face in participating in the market.
“The communities that have been most harmed by cannabis prohibition are benefiting the least from the legal marijuana marketplace,” one provision reads. “A legacy of racial and ethnic injustices, compounded by the disproportionate collateral consequences of 80 years of cannabis prohibition enforcement, now limits participation in the industry.”
Much of the language of the new section is borrowed from a resolution that Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, introduced last year.
“Our federal cannabis policies have been rooted in the past for far too long. As states continue to modernize how we regulate cannabis, Congress has a responsibility to ensure that our policies are fair, equitable, and inclusive,” Lee said in a press release. “I’m pleased that this critical bill includes key tenets from my own legislation to right the wrongs of the failed and racist War on Drugs by expunging criminal convictions, reinvesting in communities of color through restorative justice, and promoting equitable participation in the legal marijuana industry.”
Legalization advocates cheered the committee’s move to take the first congressional vote on ending cannabis prohibition.
“A supermajority of Americans, including majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents, support regulating the use of marijuana by responsible adults,” NORML Political Director Justin Strekal said. “Thanks to the leadership of the House Judiciary chairman, never in history have we been closer to ending the failed policy of marijuana criminalization and providing pathways to opportunity for our brothers and sisters who have suffered under its oppressive reign.”
“The MORE Act is the most comprehensive marijuana policy reform bill ever introduced in Congress and is backed by a broad coalition of civil rights, criminal justice, drug policy, and immigration groups. Those who oppose this legislation moving forward are defenders of a failed status-quo that ruins the lives of otherwise law-abiding adults on a daily basis, overwhelming enforced against the poor and communities of color.”
The Leadership Conference
?
@civilrightsorg
BIG NEWS: @HouseJudiciary will meet Wednesday to vote on the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment & Expungement Act.
Good. It's past time to address the decades of harm faced by communities of color & low-income communities due to failed marijuana policies. http://bit.ly/2QtZDzC
62
11:01 AM - Nov 18, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
24 people are talking about this
Advocates have been eagerly awaiting a committee vote on the MORE Act, especially since the House overwhelmingly passed a bill to protect banks that service the cannabis industry in September. Some groups, including the ACLU, had implored leadership to delay the banking vote until the chamber passed legislation like the MORE Act that addresses social equity.
“The data speaks for itself—low-income communities and communities of color have disproportionately borne the brunt of the devastation brought on by marijuana prohibition,” Queen Adesuyi, policy manager of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance, said. “The MORE Act is the most robust bipartisan legislation so far not only to end federal marijuana prohibition, but also to ensure that the communities that have been hardest hit by prohibition are not left behind.”
“It would be a tragic mistake to have the only marijuana reform bill that passes this Congress be one that solely benefits the industry, despite both the unprecedented support for legalization nationally amongst Americans and all the harm that we know federal prohibition has caused to individuals and communities across this country,” she said. “Fortunately, by ensuring the MORE Act moves forward, several leaders in the House are showing that they understand that this is a matter of fundamental justice that the US Congress needs to address.”
Committee members on both sides of the aisle will be able to introduce amendments to the legislation, but it’s generally expected to advance out of the panel and onto the floor. That said, its fate in the Republican-controlled Senate is far from certain.
OH GREAT...NOW DOW JONES IS IN ON THE SCAM... LOL
Puration Confirms Closing Acquisition to Bottle CBD Beverages in Europe
1:13 PM ET 11/15/19 | Dow Jones
(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires (212-416-2800)
November 15, 2019 13:13 ET (18:13 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2019 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
AND THE PROCESS BEGINS FOR THE TDA...
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is a strong supporter of industrial hemp production as a new market opportunity for Texas farmers to expand their operations and grow alternative crops.
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the commercial production of hemp and authorized states to submit state plans to administer hemp programs. On June 10, 2019, House Bill 1325, was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott. The bill authorizes the production, manufacture, retail sale, and inspection of industrial hemp crops and products in Texas. This also includes products for consumable hemp products which contain cannabidiol (CBD), as well as other edible parts of the hemp plant.
Hemp is not currently legal to grow in Texas until TDA submits a state hemp plan to the USDA and receives approval.
However, prior to submitting the state plan, the TDA is required to wait for guidance from USDA on implementation procedures related to the 2018 Farm Bill hemp provisions.
The USDA released its interim final rules on hemp on October 29, 2019. They can be found here.
TDA has begun the rulemaking process to ensure the Department receives stakeholder and public input regarding the new hemp program. TDA’s administrative rules will relate to licensing, production, testing, seed certification and other program oversight, as necessary. Once the USDA plan is approved by USDA and the administrative rules are adopted, industrial hemp can be grown and cultivated legally in the State of Texas.
TDA anticipates the hemp growing permit application process will begin in 2020.
The regulation of CBD consumables, including CBD oil, will be handled in accordance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. The state agency with oversight of CBD consumables is the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and not TDA. Questions regarding those matters should be directed to that DSHS.
As additional information is available, this website will be updated. If you are interested in receiving regular updates on hemp and other topics, please subscribe to our TDA newsletter.
POLITICSUSDA Releases Video Explainer On Its Draft Rules For HempPublished 14 hours ago on November 5, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a recorded webinar on Tuesday to help guide individuals through its proposed regulations on hemp.
One week after USDA released its interim final rule for the crop, which was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, the department posted the video providing a basic overview of the regulations. The slide show presentation goes over elements of the rule, including a timeline for implementation and information about testing requirements.
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted a webinar to provide an overview of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program, which was established to create a consistent regulatory framework around hemp production throughout the United States,” USDA wrote in a bulletin. “The webinar discusses the differences between hemp-related provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill and the 2018 Farm Bill, and provides details of the requirements included in the interim final rule published on Oct. 31, 2019.”
As USDA explained in a notice published in the Federal Register last week, the video noted that there is an ongoing public comment period, where anyone can weigh in on the draft rule electronically or through mail. More than 200 people have submitted comments so far, and the window to weigh in will last until November 30.
Marijuana Moment spoke to one industry stakeholder based in Kentucky about what kind of changes he’d like to see following the conclusion of the comment period. Jim Higdon of Cornbread Hemp said that there were areas he hoped USDA would have offered clarification, including regulations related to smokeable hemp products.
The video also touches on the licensing process for hemp businesses. After the comment period ends, USDA will begin to approve regulatory plans submitted by states and tribes. For those who operate in states that do not submit plans—but where hemp cultivation is not expressly prohibited—USDA will release general guidelines for the crop that producers can use.
USDA Ag Mktg Service
?
@USDA_AMS
Overview of the U.S. Domestic #Hemp Production Program: https://zoom.us/recording/play/TAEflEP96bk0nvHTbp6JVKoR4JX4O2hXFaCZAdXjDhowNT2F6SDhHmGDAqCCv9nB?continueMode=true …
Everything you need to know about hemp-related provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill (v.s. 2014 Farm Bill) and requirements for participating in the Program.
View image on Twitter
3
10:48 AM - Nov 5, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
See USDA Ag Mktg Service's other Tweets
USDA also reiterated that states or tribes cannot prohibit interstate transport of hemp products, regardless of whether hemp is banned in those jurisdictions.
The draft regulations are set to sunset two years after the effective date, and that period will serve as “a chance to test drive the interim rule to help guide any adjustments that are made in the final rule,” USDA said.
While the industry has eagerly awaited USDA action since the 2018 Farm Bill was enacted, stakeholders still have questions about the specifics. To that end, the law firm Vicente Sederberg LLP and the advocacy organization Vote Hemp released a separate video Monday that offers a step-by-step guide to the proposed regulations.
The video answers three main questions about the rule: “1) What you need to know for your business to remain compliant; 2) What you need to know to position your business for success; and 3) How to engage with the USDA to address areas of improvement to the interim final rule, which is effective October 1, 2019 through November 1, 2021,” a description states.
“While these rules are not perfect, they are undoubtedly progress and an important milestone for the hemp industry,” Vicente Sederberg LLP said. “We look forward to hearing your concerns and potential solutions as we continue to analyze these rules and their practical implications.”
Meanwhile, the hemp industry is still waiting for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take steps to regulate CBD products. The agency has solicited public input on its rulemaking process, but former Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has said that it may take years to FDA to release regulations unless Congress addresses the issue legislatively.
WHAT ALYI'S MOTORCYCLE WOULD BE BASED ON...
Ural Electric Sidecar Review
One more example of three-wheeled Russian throwback joy
By Sam Smith
August 8, 2019
Ural sidecar
An electric Ural sidecar is a little like satellite navigation on a 70-year-old biplane. Weird, yet fun. And potentially useful.Jenny Linquist
Four billion years ago, a Ural sidecar rig rolled out of the primordial soup and set to lurching about the world, seeking adventure and bears and vodka and whatever the hell else Russian hacks survive upon. Or maybe it was 5 billion years. No one knows. Urals are so old and have been so fundamentally unchanged for so long, all anyone can remember is that they were first manufactured in Russia, in the Ural Mountains, when our solar system was in diapers.
And now, at last, there is change, in the form of an electric Ural. Sort of.
ADVERTISING
inRead invented by Teads
The bike we tested is a factory prototype, a proof-of-concept designed to gauge public interest. Like all modern Urals, it contains a prehistoric leading-link fork; unlike any other Ural, it also holds a lithium-ion battery pack and a 60 hp electric motor.
If that juxtaposition seems weird, well, that’s probably because it is weird.
ADVERTISEMENT / ADVERTISE WITH US
Fun fact: The phrase “primordial soup” was popularized by the Soviet biologist Alexander Oparin in 1924.
Another fun fact: In February of 2017, two writers from this magazine rode a gasoline-powered Ural non-stop, 32 hours from Seattle to Los Angeles, as part of a record-breaking stunt. I was one of those writers. The trip acquainted me very well with the quirks of Russian sidecars.
Summary of the first two facts as it pertains to this discussion: If the Russians know anything about motorcycle evolution, anything at all, then I am convinced they ain’t tellin’.
ADVERTISEMENT / ADVERTISE WITH US
Batteries and motor extracted from a Zero motorcycle
That’s right, a lightning bolt! Batteries and motor extracted from a Zero motorcycle replace the Ural’s long-serving horizontally opposed 750cc twin to motivate this now-ancient design.Jenny Linquist
“We are solving the motorcycle industry’s problem,” Madina Merzhoyeva told me. She said this with no small amount of laughter, because she gets the joke.
Merzhoyeva is head of marketing at Ural’s American arm, a charming, Russian-accented mother of two with a wicked staccato laugh. She and a small staff handle Ural distribution from a quiet office park in Redmond, Washington, near Seattle.
Jason Rae, the company’s vice president of operations, rolled the bike out of the company’s garage for me on a sunny Tuesday in November.
ADVERTISEMENT / ADVERTISE WITH US
“We wanted to build an EV [electric vehicle] Ural,” he said, “because we thought it would be cool, for lack of a better word.”
Maybe this is 32-hour Stockholm Syndrome speaking, but they weren’t wrong. Nor will you mistake an electric Ural for anything else. The EV was built on the bones of the company’s base model, the 750cc Ural cT. ($14,499, 41 hp, 42 pound-feet, around 150 miles on a tank of fuel.) It reeks of old-school Ural—frame tubes thick as your forearm, uneven plating, metalwork like a tractor pull—plus the punctuation of the current century. The horizontally opposed, BMW-derived engine is gone. A thick, orange-jacketed power cable has been neatly zip-tied to one of the sidecar braces. A three-prong male charging plug lives under the gas cap. There’s a stylized “E” logo on the tank with a lightning bolt in the middle.
LCD dash is ex-Zero
LCD dash is ex-Zero. Under the “gas” cap is a chargingJenny Linquist
Ural farmed out the bike’s drive conversion to ICG Design, an industrial-design firm based in California. When ICG was done, a 60 hp, 81 pound-feet, air-cooled electric motor sat underneath the seat, nestled behind a B-shaped piece of billet-aluminum trim. The motor turns the bike’s main rear wheel via a slender exposed shaft, drawing juice from a 19.5-kWh lithium-ion battery module mounted in the sidecar. The battery sits under the tub’s seat and can be recharged from empty to 95 percent in around 13 hours. Like the rest of the powertrain and the single-color LCD dash, it was purchased new from California’s Zero Motorcycles. Merzhoyeva says that Ural has no direct relationship with Zero and simply bought the parts off the shelf.
ADVERTISEMENT / ADVERTISE WITH US
electric Ural
From this angle, you might expect to hear valve clatter or similar noise, but the serenity of the electric Ural is strangely charming.Jenny Linquist
That, in a nutshell, is how you build an electric Ural. Everything else—spring rates, damping, trunk space, even the three Heidenau tires—remains unchanged from the cT. Range varies with usage and ambient temperature, but Ural says 100 miles is possible with a full battery. Reverse—all new Urals offer reverse, for parking—occurs via software, the motor driven in the opposite direction.
To back up, you flip a single-throw, two-position switch mounted beneath the rider’s right hip. The bar-mounted kill switch still functions as a kill switch, and if the bike’s parking brake is applied, the motor gets no juice.
I keyed the ignition, released the brake, flipped the kill switch, and watched a few warning lights extinguish. The dash woke, looking exactly like the dash on a Zero. Silence.
“It doesn’t really start,” Rae said. “It just…is.”
So I twisted the grip, and off we went, whirring merrily into the distance. As with any small EV, forward motion reminds you of a golf cart: You hear tire scrub, the subtle scuff of brake-pad drag, wind rush, and little else. The comparison is exacerbated by being out in the wind on a blissfully unstable machine that treats steering inputs like a nuisance.
Ural in front of fruit stand
Urals can carry much fruit.Jenny Linquist
As with the gas Ural, there is enough torque to slide the front wheel on dry pavement, and the rear tire will light up in the wet. At 822 pounds, the EV is around 30 pounds lighter than a cT, but the batteries mean the sidecar carries more weight, so the electric bike is more planted in the kind of right-hand corners that can make a standard Ural lift its tub off the ground. (Sidecar people call this “flying the chair.” If you are not a sidecar person, know that this pastime is both fun as a hatful of monkeys and only half as dangerous as it looks. Also know that the EV will still fly its chair just fine.)
Finally, because there is less mechanical drama—Ural’s standard twin is anything but smooth and quiet—you tend to be less distracted while riding, more prone to silliness. Ural says the EV’s top speed on level ground is almost 90 mph. On a gas Ural, that number is accomplished only with a tailwind and blatant loathing of your main bearings. On the EV, the extra power means that you top 80 often, grinning like an idiot, bars wobbling and steering damper cranked all the way down, wondering if today is a good day to die.
There are obvious upsides to this scenario. We should not have to tell you what they are.
More upsides became obvious with seat time: For a new rider, an electric sidecar removes the last imagined barrier to motorcycling. Unless you’re trying really hard, you’re unlikely to fall over. The lack of noise and vibration makes the bike seem friendly, even if it’s not. You can bring a passenger and talk to them at speed. An electric bike won’t leak oil or overheat or get cranky if you feed it bad fuel. There’s less drama, more riding.
silent electric prototype
Tire scrub, brake noise and your own terrifying thoughts come through loud and clear on this mostly silent electric prototype.Jenny Linquist
When I mentioned all this, Merzhoyeva agreed, noting that weight and power are less critical with sidecar rigs. Tubs, she added, can carry batteries without thinking too much about packaging.
Ural thus believes the bike would be perfect for new riders in cities, even though a sidecar is no less difficult to city-park than a car, and too wide to lane-split.
Such is the charm of a Ural that the contradiction didn’t bother me while riding, though I have no idea why.
While in Redmond, I also had a chance to test a hack equipped with Ural’s 2019 gasoline drivetrain. The company has recently put no small measure of focus on engineering, and its coming lineup will offer more efficient cylinder heads and pistons, plus new Keihin fuel-injection. Predictably, the new engine starts easier and is more willing to rev, snarling through situations where the old one moaned and strained.
bulk of the batteries reside in the sidecar
The bulk of the batteries reside in the sidecar, with much cabling back to the mother ship. Cooling fins on the electric motor are just visible below the seat. Power to rear wheel is delivered through stock-shaft drive.Jenny Linquist
Ural insists that most of its customers are commuters, not long-distance adventurers, so small changes like these tend to be important. It’s nice, though it all served to make me wonder, even more, what the owner of an electric sidecar might want. But hey, as Voltaire said, judge a man by his questions, not his answers.
Demand will dictate whether the electric cT sees production, so if you want one, pick up the phone and say so.
As the company’s American chief, Ilya Khait, told me, “Fifty pre-orders might do it. A hundred definitely would.” Cost? Ural didn’t share a number, but battery and electric motor would cost more than the flat-twin.
“I wouldn’t say that anybody asked for this bike,” Rae said, “but the reaction has been really positive so far.”
Who’s surprised? This is a new idea, silly and fun. It might represent the future. It certainly represents the past. But mostly, it’s one more example of three-wheeled Russian throwback joy. And if Ural can’t do that well, who can?
Hemp industry reacts to newly released USDA regulations
by Anjali Patel
Wednesday, October 30th 2019
AA
The USDA recently released its long awaited hemp regulations (WPDE).
On Tuesday, the USDA released interim regulations regarding hemp production, something many in the hemp industry have been waiting for.
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and allowed states to give farmers permission to grow the crop. It also required the USDA to establish regulations.
ADVERTISEMENT
At least 47 states, including South Carolina, have developed their own hemp programs since the 2018 Farm Bill. Right now, there are 113 licensed hemp farmers in South Carolina. Up until the release of these USDA interim regulations, those farmers had been growing largely without regulations.
Under the new USDA rules, states like South Carolina can still maintain their programs, but they will have to follow federal standards now.
The 161-page document of rules covers everything from where hemp can be grown to the testing of its THC levels. THC is the chemical compound that can get you high, and hemp is legally only allowed to contain .3% of it. Any hemp that exceeds that limit - known as "hot hemp" - must now be disposed of by a federal agent under the new rules.
“If they’re up to no good, they’re going to be concerned," Eric Franks, part-owner and operator of Life Leaf Medical CBD Center, said.
He said he's not worried about this part of the regulations, because he oversees every aspect of his hemp production, from seed to finished product, which allows him to closely monitor his plants' THC levels.
“It's all through genetics," he said. “We want our hands in everything from start to finish. We’ve got that extractor in there. We want to touch every part of the process until it gets on the shelf, that way we’re ensuring everyone of what they’re getting."
However, he said the new regulations could force growers to waste their product. He said "hot hemp" can be remediated with certain equipment to reduce its THC levels. He said there's no need for it to be destroyed, and that rule could cost the industry "millions of dollars."
"It’s just more work to do. It’s more things you got to look at. It takes more labor, which is costly," Franks said.
He said the new rules could not only cost hemp growers and producers, but it could even cost you - the taxpayer.
Under the new rules, DEA-registered labs will also have to collect samples from every hemp facility about two weeks before the crop's harvest date. That means in South Carolina alone, DEA agents will have to routinely sample and test hemp flowers at at least 113 farms across the state. Franks said all that oversight could require more manpower and more federal dollars.
"Now they’ve got to pay somebody who knows what kind of salary to go around and send flower off to get tested," he said.
Furthermore, Franks said all these costs could drive up the price of hemp products, as well.
Many in the industry say they've been waiting for federal direction, but this isn't necessarily what they had in mind.
“It's been unregulated, but I don’t think it needs to be regulated as hard as what they’re trying to do," Franks said.
However, the increased federal regulation also means increased federal protection. Under the new USDA program, hemp producers may be eligible for many USDA programs in 2020, including crop insurance and revenue protection.
The USDA's interim rules will be officially published to the Federal Register tomorrow, triggering a 60-day public comment period that will end on Dec. 30. The interim rules will expire in two years, after which final rules will be released.
Many in the industry say they are also still waiting on FDA regulations for CBD products, which are usually derived from hemp.
I FOUND THIS INTERESTING...
BECOME AN EverX DISTRIBUTOR, Link:
https://drinkeverx.com/wholesale/
POLITICSUSDA Releases Proposed Hemp Regulations For Public CommentPublished 8 hours ago on October 29, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released draft rules for hemp manufacturing on Tuesday and said it will soon begin accepting state regulatory plans for the newly legal crop.
The interim final rule on hemp will be formally published in the Federal Register on Thursday, with a 60-day public comment period to follow. Once the rules are finalized, USDA will begin to evaluate states’ and tribes’ submitted regulations plans, and any jurisdictions that do not send proposals will fall under the department’s general guidelines for producing the crop, which was federally legalized under the 2014 Farm Bill.
The regulations cover the requirements for where hemp can be grown, THC testing standards, the disposal process for crops that don’t meet federal standards and licensing protocols.
USDA Establishes Domestic Hemp Production Program
Release & Contact Info
Press Release
Release No. 0165.19
AMS Public Affairs, (202) 690-0488
PA@usda.gov
WASHINGTON, October 29, 2019 — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the establishment of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. This program, as required by the 2018 Farm Bill, creates a consistent regulatory framework around hemp production throughout the United States.
“At USDA, we are always excited when there are new economic opportunities for our farmers, and we hope the ability to grow hemp will pave the way for new products and markets,” said Secretary Perdue. “We have had teams operating with all hands-on-deck to develop a regulatory framework that meets Congressional intent while seeking to provide a fair, consistent, and science-based process for states, tribes, and individual producers who want to participate in this program.”
Click below to view a message from Secretary Perdue
Background:
Later this week, an interim final rule formalizing the program will be published in the Federal Register that will allow hemp to be grown under federally-approved plans and make hemp producers eligible for a number of agricultural programs. The rule includes provisions for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to approve hemp production plans developed by states and Indian tribes including: requirements for maintaining information on the land where hemp is produced; testing the levels of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol; disposing of plants not meeting necessary requirements; and licensing requirements. It also establishes a federal plan for hemp producers in states or territories of Indian tribes that do not have their own approved hemp production plan.
The interim final rule becomes effective upon publication in the Federal Register. Following publication, USDA invites public comment on the interim rule and the information collection burden. A preview of the rule is posted on USDA’s website.
USDA also developed guidelines for sampling and testing procedures that are being issued concurrently with this rule. These documents provide additional information for sampling agents and hemp testing laboratories.
More information about the provisions of the interim final rule is available on the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program web page on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) website.
Once state and tribal plans are in place, hemp producers will be eligible for a number of USDA programs, including insurance coverage through Whole-Farm Revenue Protection. For information on available programs, visit farmers.gov/hemp.
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
THE FIRST PART MENTIONS NOUV...
ALYI and NOUV Advance Hemp Vehicle Developments
10:30 AM ET 10/29/19 | GlobeNewswire
ALYI and NOUV Advance Hemp Vehicle Developments
DALLAS, Oct. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE - Alternet Systems, Inc. (USOTC: ALYI) today announced hemp vehicle material development partner Nouveau (USOTC: NOUV) has begun work on processing material from the first legal US hemp harvest season that will be used in the ongoing development of a hemp body for electric delivery vehicles and to support ALYI's ongoing hemp battery initiative. This announcement today highlights ALYI's current $100 million cryptocurrency investment strategy targeted at expanding the company's existing $300 million in electric vehicle projects in Africa.
ALYI initiated an ongoing hemp battery development initiative approximately one year ago. More recently, the company announced a hemp body initiative in conjunction with its longer-term plans to build electric delivery vehicles for the African market. The company today confirms that both the hemp battery and hemp body initiatives are include in the developing $100 million cryptocurrency investment strategy.
IW Global has proposed launching and managing an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) on ALYI's behalf specifically targeted at raising $100 million to fund infrastructure for electric vehicle production in Africa.
IW Global ( www.IW-Global.com ), a well-established technology firm with a wide breadth of experience spanning projects for NASA and more recently implementing multiple blockchain solutions, has proposed launching and managing an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) on ALYI's behalf specifically targeted at raising $100 million to fund infrastructure for electric vehicle production in Africa.
ALYI continues to develop $300 million in electric vehicle projects in Africa targeting the shared ride market and recently confirmed a fleet order for an initial 50 electric motorcycles to be delivered in Texas. The company successfully passed an electric motorcycle prototype testing milestone recently and anticipates having its production design pilot motorcycle completed any day. The production design plans have already been approved by partners, vendors and clients. Management plans to produce and publish a short video of the production electric motorcycles once the production version is finalized.
ALYI and IW Global have formulated a plan whereby, ALYI's production and marketing partners in Kenya will form a new company (NewCo) with the specific focus of building a new, state of the art electric vehicle production plant. This NewCo will be a separate company apart from ALYI but exclusively contracted by ALYI for producing ALYI designed vehicles. The NewCo is the business entity that would initiate the proposed ICO. The funds would be dedicated to 1. Building the plant and 2. Funding the production of ALYI's vehicles. A successful ICO would permit ALYI to substantially accelerate and expand upon its initial $300 million in existing electric vehicle projects.
ALYI has engaged legal counsel to ensure the cryptocurrency launch would be executed in compliance with prevailing regulatory guidelines.
ALYI has engaged Goldman Small Cap Research to conduct a survey with first time and experienced cryptocurrency investors in conjunction with a potential $100 million initial coin offering (ICO) that would provide strategic financing to fund a major expansion of the company's electric vehicle developments.
Ethereum is the proposed underling platform for the ALYI cryptocurrency launch.
The Ethereum platform and blockchain is the most reliable existing blockchain and is supported by the Ethereum Foundation, based in Zug, Switzerland and the Ethereum Enterprise Alliance based in the USA with members like Microsoft, Intel, Mastercard, UBS, BBVA, Banco Santander, among others. IW Global is experienced with Ethereum and has launched previous cryptocurrencies build on the Ethereum platform.
ALYI management plans to publish continued progress reports as the ICO strategy develops.
For more information, please visit: http://www.alternetsystemsinc.com
Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.
Alternet Systems, Inc. Contact:
Randell Torno
info@lithiumip.com
+1-800-713-0297
> Dow Jones Newswires
October 29, 2019 10:30 ET (14:30 GMT)
POLITICSWhite House Signs Off On Proposed Hemp Rules From USDAPublished 2 hours ago on October 28, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
The White House approved plans to regulate hemp and its derivatives on Friday, signing off on interim final rules for the crop that were submitted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
USDA has been working to develop hemp regulations since the crop was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill in December. A top official with the department said earlier this month that rules would be released within weeks and, since then, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has finalized its review of the proposal.
The development was first reported by Politico.
Liz Crampton
?
@liz_crampton
OMB approved USDA's hemp program on Friday, teeing up its release any day now https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoDetails?rrid=129276 …
13
11:42 AM - Oct 28, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
See Liz Crampton's other Tweets
While details of the plan are yet to be seen, they’re expected to provide clarity on a wide range of hemp-specific policies such as THC potency testing guidelines and quality control standards. The rules will be released for public comment shortly.
Hemp farmers have been anticipating the regulations for months, as USDA officials have repeatedly pledged to issue them ahead of the 2020 planting season. Just last week, Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jared Golden (D-ME) sent a letter to USDA urging the department to “expeditiously finalize the hemp rules,” per the obligations of the farm bill.
Chellie Pingree
?
@chelliepingree
Maine's hemp economy is growing rapidly, but a lack of clarity in federal regulations is hurting growers. @RepGolden & I wrote to @USDA again and urged the agency to finalize federal hemp regulations and protect growers so businesses can operate without uncertainty.
View image on Twitter
20
10:56 AM - Oct 28, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
See Chellie Pingree's other Tweets
“During these difficult economic times for farmers, hemp provides a promising market for farmers in Maine and across the country,” the duo wrote. “We respectfully ask that you expedite the interim final rule on hemp so that this growing industry is not further stifled by regulatory uncertainty.”
That’s the latest in a series of inquiries that lawmakers have submitted in order to give the hemp industry needed clarification.
Following the finalization of the rules, USDA will begin approving state regulatory plans.
USDA has already taken a number of steps to provide guidance to hemp manufacturers as it crafted its interim rules. For example, the department has clarified policies governing the importation and exportation of hemp seeds and plants. It also announced in August that hemp producers operating under the 2014 Farm Bill are eligible for federal crop insurance, with plans to expand coverage once final rules are approved.
The department also said in April that it is accepting intellectual property applications for seed-propagated hemp.
Meanwhile, there’s additional pressure on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enact regulations for hemp-derived CBD products, with lawmakers such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) imploring the agency to develop alternative rules providing for the lawful marketing of such products as food items and dietary supplements.
FDA officials have said that developing rules for the non-intoxicating cannabis compound could take years without congressional action.
Chuck Schumer Urges FDA To Quickly Issue CBD Rules
Photo courtesy of Brendan Cleak.
POLITICSWhite House Signs Off On Proposed Hemp Rules From USDAPublished 2 hours ago on October 28, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
The White House approved plans to regulate hemp and its derivatives on Friday, signing off on interim final rules for the crop that were submitted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
USDA has been working to develop hemp regulations since the crop was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill in December. A top official with the department said earlier this month that rules would be released within weeks and, since then, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has finalized its review of the proposal.
The development was first reported by Politico.
Liz Crampton
?
@liz_crampton
OMB approved USDA's hemp program on Friday, teeing up its release any day now https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoDetails?rrid=129276 …
13
11:42 AM - Oct 28, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
See Liz Crampton's other Tweets
While details of the plan are yet to be seen, they’re expected to provide clarity on a wide range of hemp-specific policies such as THC potency testing guidelines and quality control standards. The rules will be released for public comment shortly.
Hemp farmers have been anticipating the regulations for months, as USDA officials have repeatedly pledged to issue them ahead of the 2020 planting season. Just last week, Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jared Golden (D-ME) sent a letter to USDA urging the department to “expeditiously finalize the hemp rules,” per the obligations of the farm bill.
Chellie Pingree
?
@chelliepingree
Maine's hemp economy is growing rapidly, but a lack of clarity in federal regulations is hurting growers. @RepGolden & I wrote to @USDA again and urged the agency to finalize federal hemp regulations and protect growers so businesses can operate without uncertainty.
View image on Twitter
20
10:56 AM - Oct 28, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
See Chellie Pingree's other Tweets
“During these difficult economic times for farmers, hemp provides a promising market for farmers in Maine and across the country,” the duo wrote. “We respectfully ask that you expedite the interim final rule on hemp so that this growing industry is not further stifled by regulatory uncertainty.”
That’s the latest in a series of inquiries that lawmakers have submitted in order to give the hemp industry needed clarification.
Following the finalization of the rules, USDA will begin approving state regulatory plans.
USDA has already taken a number of steps to provide guidance to hemp manufacturers as it crafted its interim rules. For example, the department has clarified policies governing the importation and exportation of hemp seeds and plants. It also announced in August that hemp producers operating under the 2014 Farm Bill are eligible for federal crop insurance, with plans to expand coverage once final rules are approved.
The department also said in April that it is accepting intellectual property applications for seed-propagated hemp.
Meanwhile, there’s additional pressure on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enact regulations for hemp-derived CBD products, with lawmakers such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) imploring the agency to develop alternative rules providing for the lawful marketing of such products as food items and dietary supplements.
FDA officials have said that developing rules for the non-intoxicating cannabis compound could take years without congressional action.
Chuck Schumer Urges FDA To Quickly Issue CBD Rules
Photo courtesy of Brendan Cleak.
WELL, IT'S ABOUT TIME...
POLITICSWhite House Signs Off On Proposed Hemp Rules From USDAPublished 2 hours ago on October 28, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
The White House approved plans to regulate hemp and its derivatives on Friday, signing off on interim final rules for the crop that were submitted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
USDA has been working to develop hemp regulations since the crop was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill in December. A top official with the department said earlier this month that rules would be released within weeks and, since then, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has finalized its review of the proposal.
The development was first reported by Politico.
Liz Crampton
?
@liz_crampton
OMB approved USDA's hemp program on Friday, teeing up its release any day now https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoDetails?rrid=129276 …
13
11:42 AM - Oct 28, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
See Liz Crampton's other Tweets
While details of the plan are yet to be seen, they’re expected to provide clarity on a wide range of hemp-specific policies such as THC potency testing guidelines and quality control standards. The rules will be released for public comment shortly.
Hemp farmers have been anticipating the regulations for months, as USDA officials have repeatedly pledged to issue them ahead of the 2020 planting season. Just last week, Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jared Golden (D-ME) sent a letter to USDA urging the department to “expeditiously finalize the hemp rules,” per the obligations of the farm bill.
Chellie Pingree
?
@chelliepingree
Maine's hemp economy is growing rapidly, but a lack of clarity in federal regulations is hurting growers. @RepGolden & I wrote to @USDA again and urged the agency to finalize federal hemp regulations and protect growers so businesses can operate without uncertainty.
View image on Twitter
20
10:56 AM - Oct 28, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
See Chellie Pingree's other Tweets
“During these difficult economic times for farmers, hemp provides a promising market for farmers in Maine and across the country,” the duo wrote. “We respectfully ask that you expedite the interim final rule on hemp so that this growing industry is not further stifled by regulatory uncertainty.”
That’s the latest in a series of inquiries that lawmakers have submitted in order to give the hemp industry needed clarification.
Following the finalization of the rules, USDA will begin approving state regulatory plans.
USDA has already taken a number of steps to provide guidance to hemp manufacturers as it crafted its interim rules. For example, the department has clarified policies governing the importation and exportation of hemp seeds and plants. It also announced in August that hemp producers operating under the 2014 Farm Bill are eligible for federal crop insurance, with plans to expand coverage once final rules are approved.
The department also said in April that it is accepting intellectual property applications for seed-propagated hemp.
Meanwhile, there’s additional pressure on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enact regulations for hemp-derived CBD products, with lawmakers such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) imploring the agency to develop alternative rules providing for the lawful marketing of such products as food items and dietary supplements.
FDA officials have said that developing rules for the non-intoxicating cannabis compound could take years without congressional action.
Chuck Schumer Urges FDA To Quickly Issue CBD Rules
Photo courtesy of Brendan Cleak.
Louisiana ag commissioner forecasts 80,000 acres of hemp grows in 2020
Published October 24, 2019
Share
Tweet
Linkedin
Reddit
Mail
Louisiana farmers could grow hemp on up to 80,000 acres in 2020, up from zero this year, the state’s top agriculture chief said.
But the growth, he noted, relies on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) finishing work on new rules for production.
Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain briefed state lawmakers Wednesday about hemp prospects there.
Strain predicted 100-200 farmers would apply for permits to grow hemp in 2020 if they could. Louisiana has authorized hemp production, but only if federal authorities approve its plans to regulate the crop.
The USDA will have 60 days to approve or reject Louisiana’s hemp plan. But the timer won’t start until national rules are released.
The agency has said rules would be in place for the 2020 growing season, but there is still no exact timetable.
Louisiana isn’t the only state waiting to see federal action before allowing hemp farming.
Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Texas are among the states that have passed hemp laws contingent on USDA approval, according to the 2019 Hemp & CBD Industry Factbook.
– Associated Press and Hemp Industry Daily
Schumer presses FDA to regulate budding CBD industry
Emilie MunsonOctober 23, 2019
CBD oils are displayed at Upstate CBD on Upper Union Street store on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Schenectady, N.Y. The shop offers CBD hemp buds, edibles, extractions, topicals and pet products. Store owner Donald Andrews hopes the business will give him a foothold should New York legalize recreational marijuana. (Will Waldron/Times Union) Photo: (Will Waldron/Times Union)
Photo: (Will Waldron/Times Union)
IMAGE 1 OF 4
CBD oils are displayed at Upstate CBD on Upper Union Street store on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in Schenectady, N.Y. The shop offers CBD hemp buds, edibles, extractions, topicals and pet products. Store owner ... more
WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer pushed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Wednesday to "immediately" issue regulations on the use and sale of popular hemp-based cannabidiol products, a flourishing new industry in upstate New York.
Thanks to a state pilot program and passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, hundreds of New York farmers grow hemp, a cannabis plant strain with low-levels of the psychoactive component of marijuana. Many hemp farmers and processors produce cannabidiol (CBD) oils, tinctures, pills, foods and beverages. The hemp industry saw sales of CBD products — which some people claim have mental and physical health benefits — surpass $200 million nationally in 2018.
But consumers, farmers and producers are operating in a hazy landscape as they wait for the FDA to clear up questions about how CBD can be safely and legally consumed. Other than one prescription drug product to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy, the FDA has not approved any other CBD products for use in food or drugs or as dietary supplements. Still, many of the products are readily available on retail shelves in New York.
Schumer, a New York Democrat, believes the absence of clear federal guidelines is holding back the CBD and hemp industry in the state and exposing CBD users to potential health risks.
"The lack of regulatory clarity is creating a real fog for farmers, producers and manufacturers," Schumer said. "CBD is not explicitly illegal, but there are no guidelines as to where you can use it and where you can't."
Schumer urged the FDA to expedite its evaluation of CBD and issue regulations soon. The 68-year-old does not use CBD himself, but has a "close relative" who does, he said.
Schumer blamed delays in completing health studies and issuing regulations on inadequate staffing at the FDA. Ten months have passed since the Farm Bill was signed, and the FDA should "get it done," Schumer said. Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley of Oregon have issued similar calls.
The FDA has been working to answer health questions about CBD and determine how to govern the marketing and sale of it for months. The agency has held public hearings and solicited stakeholder comments on CBD. It has issued warnings to companies making unsubstantiated claims about health benefits of CBD.
"FDA’s working quickly to further clarify our regulatory approach for products with cannabis/cannabis-derivatives like CBD while using all available resources to monitor the marketplace (and) protect public health by taking action as needed against companies," said Amy Abernethy, FDA acting chief information officer, on Twitter Tuesday. "We plan to provide an update on our progress in this area in the near future."
The FDA did not answer questions about whether its staffing was insufficient to quickly accomplish CBD regulation. The agency is also responding to similar criticism about the pace of regulation in response to another new product, e-cigarettes and vaping products
FROM THE, DOW JONES NEWSWIRES, TODAY...
Press Release: ALYI -- Alternet Systems Announces Cryptocurrency Survey To Be Conducted By Goldman Small Cap Research
10:05 AM ET 10/24/19 | Dow Jones
ALYI -- Alternet Systems Announces Cryptocurrency Survey To Be Conducted By Goldman Small Cap Research
DALLAS, Oct. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE -- Alternet Systems, Inc. (USOTC: ALYI) today announced engaging Goldman Small Cap Research to conduct a survey with first time and experienced cryptocurrency investors in conjunction with a potential $100 million initial coin offering (ICO) that would provide strategic financing to fund a major expansion of the company's electric vehicle developments. ALYI recently announced receiving an unsolicited proposal made by IW Global to conduct the potential $100 million investment. ALYI management plans to present the latest updates regarding the potential $100 million ICO on Monday next week, October 28, 2019.
ALYI continues to develop $300 million in electric vehicle projects in Africa targeting the shared ride market and recently confirmed a fleet order for an initial 50 electric motorcycles to be delivered in Texas. The company successfully passed an electric motorcycle prototype testing milestone recently and anticipates having its production design pilot motorcycle completed any day. The production design plans have already been approved by partners, vendors and clients. Management plans to produce and publish a short video of the production electric motorcycles once the production version is finalized.
$100 Million Strategic Financing Strategy
IW Global has proposed launching and managing an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) on ALYI's behalf specifically targeted at raising $100 million to fund infrastructure for electric vehicle production in Africa.
IW Global (www.IW-Global.com) is a well-established technology firm with a wide breadth of experience spanning projects for NASA and more recently with multiple blockchain solutions. Drawing on IW Global's experience with previous ICOs, IW Global has proposed the creation of a cryptocurrency dedicated to funding infrastructure for electric vehicle production in Africa dedicated to ALYI.
IW Global has been engaged by ALYI to develop a detailed cryptocurrency strategy. ALYI has not committed at this time to implementing the strategy once it is developed. Management plans to carefully review and consider the detailed strategy prior to potentially executing. Keep in mind, ALYI has already sourced investment to fund the company's current plans for producing electric vehicles in Africa. The proposed $100 million investment would substantially permit ALYI to expand upon and accelerate its current plans, but by no means is ALYI dependent upon the proposed cryptocurrency investment strategy.
The IW Global proposal specifically includes a regulatory compliance component. A potential ALYI cryptocurrency launch would be executed in compliance with prevailing regulatory guidelines.
Ethereum is the proposed underling platform for the ALYI cryptocurrency launch.
The Ethereum platform and blockchain is the most reliable existing blockchain and is supported by the Ethereum Foundation, based in Zug, Switzerland and the Ethereum Enterprise Alliance based in the USA with members like Microsoft, Intel, Mastercard, UBS, BBVA, Banco Santander, among others. IW Global is experienced with Ethereum and has launched previous cryptocurrencies build on the Ethereum platform.
ALYI management plans to publish progress reports as the ICO strategy develops.
For more information, please visit: http://www.alternetsystemsinc.com
Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.
Alternet Systems, Inc. Contact:
Randell Torno
info@lithiumip.com
+1-800-713-0297
> Dow Jones Newswires
October 24, 2019 10:05 ET (14:05 GMT)
Mills Administration Calls on USDA to Finalize Hemp Guidance to Support Maine Farmers
October 22, 2019
The Mills Administration today called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to finalize guidance, required under the 2019 Farm Bill, to help states like Maine implement regulations relating to the production of commercial hemp. Governor Janet Mills and Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal noted in their letter to the department that until such guidelines are in place, states like Maine are unable to move forward with their own guidance for growers and are restricted by the outdated rules governed by the 2014 Farm Bill. They also raised concerns that the regulatory uncertainly has resulted in hemp farmers not receiving the necessary supports from financial and insurance institutions, thereby stifling “the growth and aspirations of hardworking farm businesses.”
“Given the growth and rate at which hemp production has accelerated in Maine and across the country, and the continued confusion around federal laws, we urge you to work swiftly with the Office of Management and Budget to finalize USDA’s guidance for state implementation plans,” wrote Governor Mills and Commissioner Beal. “We believe this Federal guidance will not only help provide long-needed clarification to the states but will be valuable to the broader lending and insurance industries.”
The complete text of Governor Mills’ and Commissioner Beal’s letter is below:
The Honorable Sonny Perdue
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250
Re: Guidance on State Hemp Implementation Plans
Dear Secretary Perdue:
We write respectfully to urge you to finalize the rules outlining state guidance for industrial hemp implementation plans.
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill, Section 10113) directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue regulations and guidance for the commercial production of industrial hemp in the United States. It is our understanding that on June 27, 2019, the Office of Management and Budget began to review rulemaking to implement the program. Until such guidelines are in place, states such as Maine are unable to move forward with our own guidance for growers and instead are unfairly restricted by the rules under the 2014 Farm Bill.
Maine recently passed Legislative Document 1749, An Act to Amend the States Hemp laws, which outlined rules and regulations regarding hemp production within the state of Maine. Additionally, the Maine legislature postponed Legislative Document 569, a resolve directing the Maine Department of Agriculture to implement our state’s hemp plan, until we receive further guidance from the USDA outlining federal regulations.
Most recently, it has come to our attention that growers in Maine are receiving notices of bank account closures and insurance policies not being renewed because of uncertainty around federal hemp regulations. These are troubling developments that stifle the growth and aspirations of hardworking farm businesses.
Given the growth and rate at which hemp production has accelerated in Maine and across the country and continued confusion around federal laws, we urge you to work swiftly with the Office of Management and Budget to finalize USDA’s guidance for state implementation plans. This Federal guidance will not only help provide long-needed clarification to the states but will be valuable to the broader lending and insurance industries.
Thank you.
Governor Janet T. Mills
Commissioner Amanda Beal
Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
POLITICSUSDA Outlines Rules For Importing Hemp Plants And Seeds From Other CountriesPublished 58 mins ago on October 23, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) quietly updated guidance last week to clarify that hemp seeds and plants may be imported from other countries.
As was the case under a previous announcement focused on seeds, the requirements for importing the full plant from Canada are different than for other countries. Plants from Canada are allowed if they’re “accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate from Canada’s [national plant protection organization” to verify the origin of the plant and to confirm no plant pests are detected.” For other countries, importers must fill out an additional permit application.
Companies can also import hemp seeds from Canada if they produce a “Federal Seed Analysis Certificate.”
In addition to a phytosanitary certificate, those who seek to import seeds from countries other than Canada are subject to a Custom and Border Protection inspection at the port of entry in order “ensure they meet [Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service] regulations, including certification and freedom from plant pests.”
Prior to last week, USDA had only offered guidance on the rules for importing seeds, which it released in April. Both updates are in response to the federal legalization of hemp and its derivatives under the 2018 Farm Bill.
USDA has taken an incremental approach to the implementation process for hemp since the legislation was signed into law last December. The department said in April that it’s accepting applications for intellectual property protections for seed-propagated hemp.
In August, USDA said farmers operating under the 2014 Farm Bill are eligible for federal crop insurance for the 2020 planting season. That coverage will extend to all hemp farmers after USDA releases its final regulations for the crop.
USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky said on Monday that the department plans to release its interim final rule on hemp within “the next couple of weeks.”
The latest development comes after more than three months of interagency review of the regulations, which included input from the Justice Department and White House Office of Management and Budget.
POLITICSHemp Regulations Will Be Issued Within Weeks, Top USDA Official SaysPublished 19 hours ago on October 21, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
A top U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) official says that the department expects to release an interim final rule on hemp regulations within “the next couple of weeks.”
During a hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) told USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky that there’s been a “big rise in interest” in hemp among farmers in her state since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which federally legalized the crop and its derivatives.
“States are currently working their way through the rulemaking process, but they do need guidance,” she said.
The senator asked if Censky could provide a timeline for the release of federal hemp regulations.
“We would expect to be issuing the interim final rule here within the next couple of weeks,” he said. “We have been in the interagency clearance process now for over 90 days, working with some of our federal colleagues through the [White House Office of Management and Budget] process to get input for there.”
Joni Ernst
?
@SenJoniErnst
· 19h
Since we passed the #FarmBill—which included legislation I fought for to legalize industrial hemp—I’ve been hearing from many #Iowa farmers on my #99CountyTour about their interest in growing hemp to diversify their crops.
Joni Ernst
?
@SenJoniErnst
They need some guidance on how best to do so. That’s why I asked Deputy Secretary of @USDA about the timeline for rolling out the National Hemp Program.
Embedded video
22
11:38 AM - Oct 21, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
16 people are talking about this
“I think we’re nearing—just about at the end of that process,” he said.
The Justice Department ’s Office of Legal Policy has also been involved in reviewing the proposed regulations, a USDA official said at an event in September.
The department previously indicated that it would release the regulations in August, but that timeline has shifted, with officials recently stating that they’d be issued this fall, prior to the 2020 planting season.
In his opening testimony, Censky discussed the progress USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has made on hemp.
He said that AMS “has been working aggressively to stand up the Hemp Production Program in advance of the 2020 planting season,” which has “involved soliciting stakeholder feedback, including, but not limited to, an open webinar listening session in March 2019.”
“Many voices were represented during this listening session and the insights offered during this and other stakeholder input were used by AMS to craft an interim final rule,” he said. “Over the last few months, USDA has been working with our Federal partners to ensure the Hemp Production Program does not conflict with existing programs and to ensure the burden on producers and other stakeholders is minimized.”
Two areas of discussion the official noted concern “opportunities for Tribes to participle in hemp production and the effects the regulation will have on the agricultural lending industry.”
“These conversations have been productive and provided an overall improvement to the design of the Hemp Production Program,” he said. “Based on the most recent discussions, many of the initial concerns have been addressed and it has been indicated the rule should be cleared for publication soon. We look forward to having this program available to interested States, Tribes, and producers.”
Photo courtesy of Brendan Cleak.
POLITICSHemp Regulations Will Be Issued Within Weeks, Top USDA Official SaysPublished 19 hours ago on October 21, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
A top U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) official says that the department expects to release an interim final rule on hemp regulations within “the next couple of weeks.”
During a hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) told USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky that there’s been a “big rise in interest” in hemp among farmers in her state since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which federally legalized the crop and its derivatives.
“States are currently working their way through the rulemaking process, but they do need guidance,” she said.
The senator asked if Censky could provide a timeline for the release of federal hemp regulations.
“We would expect to be issuing the interim final rule here within the next couple of weeks,” he said. “We have been in the interagency clearance process now for over 90 days, working with some of our federal colleagues through the [White House Office of Management and Budget] process to get input for there.”
Joni Ernst
?
@SenJoniErnst
· 19h
Since we passed the #FarmBill—which included legislation I fought for to legalize industrial hemp—I’ve been hearing from many #Iowa farmers on my #99CountyTour about their interest in growing hemp to diversify their crops.
Joni Ernst
?
@SenJoniErnst
They need some guidance on how best to do so. That’s why I asked Deputy Secretary of @USDA about the timeline for rolling out the National Hemp Program.
Embedded video
22
11:38 AM - Oct 21, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
16 people are talking about this
“I think we’re nearing—just about at the end of that process,” he said.
The Justice Department ’s Office of Legal Policy has also been involved in reviewing the proposed regulations, a USDA official said at an event in September.
The department previously indicated that it would release the regulations in August, but that timeline has shifted, with officials recently stating that they’d be issued this fall, prior to the 2020 planting season.
In his opening testimony, Censky discussed the progress USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has made on hemp.
He said that AMS “has been working aggressively to stand up the Hemp Production Program in advance of the 2020 planting season,” which has “involved soliciting stakeholder feedback, including, but not limited to, an open webinar listening session in March 2019.”
“Many voices were represented during this listening session and the insights offered during this and other stakeholder input were used by AMS to craft an interim final rule,” he said. “Over the last few months, USDA has been working with our Federal partners to ensure the Hemp Production Program does not conflict with existing programs and to ensure the burden on producers and other stakeholders is minimized.”
Two areas of discussion the official noted concern “opportunities for Tribes to participle in hemp production and the effects the regulation will have on the agricultural lending industry.”
“These conversations have been productive and provided an overall improvement to the design of the Hemp Production Program,” he said. “Based on the most recent discussions, many of the initial concerns have been addressed and it has been indicated the rule should be cleared for publication soon. We look forward to having this program available to interested States, Tribes, and producers.”
Photo courtesy of Brendan Cleak.
Thanks...
Where on the internet did you see these pictures...You should share that with us...
How did you find this information...I'd like to keep an eye on it...
KALY - Kali-Extracts Publishes Photos From Historic First Legal Hemp Harvest
Print
Alert
KALY – Kali-Extracts Publishes Photos From Historic First Legal Hemp Harvest
Dallas, TX -- October 17, 2019 -- InvestorsHub NewsWire -- Kali-Extracts, Inc. (Kali, Inc. dba/Kali-Extracts, Inc.) (USOTC: KALY) (“KALY”) today published photos on the company’s website from its first historic hemp harvest since the Federal legalization of hemp cultivation in the United States. KALY has already begun harvesting its first hemp crop in the state of New York signed under a consignment contract worth a potential $5 million. KALY has hired a photo journalist to record the event. KALY has a similiar consignment contract with Nouveau, Inc (USOTC: NOUV) worth a potential $10 million.
View More Hemp Harvest Pictures Here
The State of New York alone, where KALY is already working, has a reported 18,000 acers of hemp in just the Hudson Valley area. KALY is planning on concentrating its CBD extraction services in just the North East this fall and expanding nationwide next year.
To stay abreast of the latest developments and learn more about the company visit https://www.kali-extracts.com/.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and as such, may involve risks and uncertainties. These forward looking statements relate to, amongst other things, current expectation of the business environment in which the company operates, potential future performance, projections of future performance and the perceived opportunities in the market. The company's actual performance, results and achievements may differ materially from the expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements as a result of a wide range of factors.
CONTACT:
Frederick Ferri
ir@kali-extracts.com
(214) 210-0459
Soon...Yeah, USDA, I'll believe it when I see it...
The Hemp Haulers’ Dilemma
In other agricultural crime news, the trial of several truck drivers, who were arrested for hauling hemp across state lines, recently concluded. The men had been charged with felonies for marijuana trafficking, even though the plants they carried contained less than .3 percent THC, the level that differentiates hemp (which as of last December can be legally grown in the US for things such as CBD oil and an array of food and industrial products) from marijuana. The issue is that they were transporting their cargo across the state of Idaho, a rare state that has not yet legalized hemp, even though the feds have. And even federal law is hazy on whether the substance can be transported across state lines. In light of these contradictions, last month, the three hemp traffickers had their charges reduced to misdemeanors. The USDA has promised new rules clarifying such matters for the burgeoning hemp industry soon.
I hope it happens soon for you...Wink
PURA -- Puration Anticipate EVERx CBD Sports Water Sales Boost From Cannabis 2.0
8:35 AM ET 10/15/19 | GlobeNewswire
PURA -- Puration Anticipate EVERx CBD Sports Water Sales Boost From Cannabis 2.0
DALLAS, Oct. 15, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE -- Puration, Inc. (USOTC: PURA) today announced an anticipated sales boost from Cannabis 2.0 -- the legalization of cannabis infused edibles and beverages in Canada going into effect later this week on October 17(th) . PURA management has observed a movement in Canada toward CBD infused sports nutrition beverages. Both Aurora Cannabis (ACB) and Canopy Growth (CGC) have made recent moves into the sports nutrition beverage sector. Aurora has entered into a deal with the UFC and Canopy acquired sports beverage maker BioSteel Sports Nutrition. PURA management has recently reported Canadian inquiries regarding various contractual opportunities with PURA's leading sports nutrition beverage EVERx CBD Sport Water. While other companies are looking to get into the $50 billion sports nutrition sector, PURA has over two years of experience producing and selling its EVERx product.
Multiple surveys indicate consumers are eager to purchase edibles and beverages. Specifically, a study conducted by research firm Deloitte reported that over half of surveyed respondents were likely to try cannabis-edibles, and 37% were likely to try cannabis-beverages. PURA commissioned its own survey on the cannabis beverage sector that is available for review online.
In addition to the inquiries from Canada about PURA's EVERx reported by management, PURA has a ready partner of its own as an entry into the Canada 2.0 market opportunity. The CEO of PURA, Brian Shibley, is also the CEO of PURA spinoff, Nouveau (NOUV) a cannabis cultivator with a licensed operation in Canada. NOUV's Canadian operation is small today, but still gives PURA access to Canada 2.0 while evaluating other suitors that may give PURA accelerated access to the Canada 2.0 market.
PURA has reported over $1 million in CBD beverage sales in the first six months of 2019 after reporting approximately $1 million in sales for all of 2018. On top of its ongoing sales, PURA has signed a new European distribution agreement anticipated to generate $4 million annually with a first shipment scheduled later this month. PURA has also recently announced a new distribution agreement in Latin America.
For more information on Puration, visit http://www.purationinc.com
Disclaimer/Safe Harbor:
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Contact:
Puration, Inc.
Brian Shibley,
info@aciconglomerated.com
(800) 861-1350
> Dow Jones Newswires
October 15, 2019 08:35 ET (12:35 GMT)
POLITICSMore Senators Are Demanding That FDA Speed Up CBD RegulationsPublished 19 hours ago on October 8, 2019By Kyle Jaeger
SHARETWEET
Another group of senators is calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expediently implement regulations for CBD in order to protect consumers and free up the industry.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said he is urging FDA to issue guidance so that CBD products can be lawfully marketed. He and five of his colleagues also sent a letter to FDA expressing their desire to speed up the rulemaking process.
While delivering his remarks, the senator showcased CBD-infused seltzer water, gummies and tinctures as examples of products that can be beneficial to consumers.
Because there’s a lack of regulations for hemp-derived CBD, which was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, the market is filled with a mix of good and bad actors, the senator said. Ensuring that companies have quality control standards and preventing them from making unsanctioned claims about the therapeutic benefits of their products must therefore be a priority.
“What we need to do is stop the bad actors, rid the market of unsubstantiated and inaccurate health claims, make sure the good guys have a leveled playing field where truth and accuracy are valued and rewarded by consumers and by the regulatory framework,” he said.
“Hemp growers, manufacturers, food producers and most important, consumers, all deserve a regulatory framework that will set rules for classification, labeling, marketing, quality and other important features so that we stop the Wild West claims and make available products that are truly helpful and beneficial to consumers,” he added. “The treatment of pain, anxiety, inflammation, other kinds of maladies may be aided by CBD and consumers deserve the benefits of those treatments but they also deserve to know the truth about the oils, lotions, gummies and other products that are out there.”
It’s an issue that has bipartisan support, Blumenthal said, stating that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been a champion of the hemp industry.
Signing the letter to FDA with Blumenthal were Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jon Tester (D-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
“It is now imperative that the FDA finalize and implement a comprehensive regulatory framework for CBD, including guidance on the classification, labeling, quality, marketing, and sale of CBD-containing products, to ensure each manufacturer is producing safe and effective products for consumers,” they wrote.
The senators want and update within 90 days, calling the agency’s actions so far “woefully inadequate.”
“Consumers rely on the FDA to conduct timely and appropriate oversight of new and emerging ingredients, and guidance from the FDA would also help manufacturers to develop safer, more effective, and more credible products for consumer use,” they wrote. “The market for CBD products is rapidly outpacing the FDA’s current regulatory efforts, and your agency clearly must expedite its efforts to promote accuracy and transparency within the CBD industry. It is imperative that any comprehensive regulatory framework for products containing CBD provide straightforward guidance to manufacturers and retailers who wish to incorporate CBD into new products.”
Prior to the press conference, the senator discussed his efforts to encourage FDA to regulate CBD during a radio interview with WTIC.
“Everybody’s interest is in the FDA doing its job and it has been lagging and laggard, and that’s why I’m demanding that in fact it do its job,” he said. “The FDA is chronically slow.”
FDA has acknowledged that Congress intended for it to regulate CBD under agriculture legislation that the president signed in December, but officials have also stressed that because the compound exists as an FDA-approved drug, developing rules for it are complicated. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said earlier this year that the agency would have to create an alternative regulatory framework in order for CBD to be marketed as a food item or dietary supplement, adding that doing so could take years without congressional action.
Numerous lawmakers have said that timeline is unacceptable. A bipartisan coalition of 26 members of the House sent a letter to FDA last month, asking that the agency issue enforcement discretion guidelines while it prepares final rules for CBD. As long as companies are continuing to sell CBD products without regulations in place, they want FDA to outline its enforcement priorities to stipulate it will only take action against companies making inappropriate claims about the compound.
McConnell worked to insert language into a congressional spending report last month that also called on FDA to provide for the lawful marketing of CBD products.
“The FDA’s failure to finalize and implement a regulatory framework for CBD, including labeling, quality, marketing, and sale of CBD-containing products, is putting consumers at risk and inhibiting the industry,” Blumenthal said in a press release.
Read the senators’ CBD letter to FDA below:
INTERESTING NEWS FROM A COMPNANY PARTNERED WITH NOUV ON A HEMP RELATED PROJECT...
ALYI – Alternet Systems Signs Off On $100 M Strategic Financing Proposal
GlobeNewswireOctober 4, 2019, 3:25 PM UTC
DALLAS, Oct. 04, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE -- Alternet Systems, Inc. (ALYI) today announced that the company has accepted the strategic financing proposal to fund a major expansion of the company’s electric vehicle initiative with a $100 million investment. Management also confirms plans to release an overview presentation of the $100 million investment structure next week on Tuesday, October 8, 2019.
The company continues to develop $300 million in electric vehicle projects in Africa targeting the shared ride market and recently confirmed a fleet order for an initial 50 electric motorcycles to be delivered in Texas. The company successfully passed an electric motorcycle prototype testing milestone recently and anticipates having its production design pilot motorcycle completed any day. The production design plans have already been approved by partners, vendors and clients. Management plans to produce and publish a short video of the production electric motorcycles once the production version is finalized.
For more information, please visit: http://www.alternetsystemsinc.com
Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.
Alternet Systems, Inc. Contact:
Randell Torno
info@lithiumip.com
+1-800-713-0297
IF YOU'RE SO SURE OF YOURSELF, CALL THESE GUYS...
MORE
CONTACT US
Field Offices
FBI Headquarters
Field Offices
+
-
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Our local FBI offices are all about protecting your communities.
The FBI has 56 field offices (also called divisions) centrally located in major metropolitan areas across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. They are the places where we carry out investigations, assess local and regional crime threats, and work closely with partners on cases and operations. Each field office is overseen by a special agent in charge, except our offices in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C., which are headed by an assistant director in charge due to their large size. Within these field offices are a total of about 380 resident agencies located in smaller cities and towns. Resident agencies are managed by supervisory special agents.
KALY – Kali Extracts Patented Cannabis Extraction Process Used To Develop $13 Billion Market Foothold By NOUV
September 27, 2019 12:18 ET | Source: Kali, Inc.
DALLAS, Sept. 27, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE -- Kali-Extracts, Inc. (Kali, Inc. dba/Kali-Extracts, Inc.) (USOTC: KALY) (“KALY”) today announced its U.S. Patented Cannabis Extraction Process was featured in a corporate update issued by Nouveau, Inc. (aka Nouveau Life Pharmaceuticals) (USOTC: NOUV). NOUV has engaged KALY to extract CBD from hemp. NOUV is a cannabis cultivation company and anticipate generating $10 million in revenue in 2020 primarily from the production and sales of CBD. NOUV has consigned its hemp cultivation to KALY extracts in an agreement where KALY will make NOUV’s CBD under the Kali-Extracts brand name. KALY currently has extraction contracts worth a potential $15 million in sales and recently announced new extraction opportunities starting to roll in with the current hemp harvest season underway. NOUV’s update today discussed in more detail the company’s strategy to develop its own share of the industrial hemp sector anticipated to reach $13 billion by 2026.
KALY Analyst Research Report Covering Company’s Biopharmaceutical Business
The company recently announced a new analyst report from Goldman Small Cap Research covering the KALY’s recent biopharmaceutical cannabis extract business development updates. The report can be found in its entirety on Goldman’s website at www.GoldmanResearch.com/KALY. The analyst report was triggered by KALY’s recent CEO update on the company’s cannabis extract biopharmaceutical business pursuing $170 billion in pharmaceutical treatments where the CEO announced new patent and trademark applications on KALY’s CBD Formulation for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
To learn more about the company visit https://www.kali-extracts.com/
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and as such, may involve risks and uncertainties. These forward looking statements relate to, amongst other things, current expectation of the business environment in which the company operates, potential future performance, projections of future performance and the perceived opportunities in the market. The company's actual performance, results and achievements may differ materially from the expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements as a result of a wide range of factors.
CONTACT:
Frederick Ferri
ir@kali-extracts.com
(214) 210-0459
Related Articles
More articles issued by Kali, Inc.
More articles related to:
Company Announcement
THE LAST LINE, AT THE END OF THE SECOND PARAGRAPH, SHOULD BE PRETTY INTERESTING FOR NOUV...
PURA and NOUV Announce Cannabis Cultivation Business Update To Include Latest On Planned Dividend and KALY Extraction Partnership
GlobeNewswireSeptember 26, 2019, 5:58 PM UTC
DALLAS, Sept. 26, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE -- Puration, Inc. (PURA) (“PURA”) and Nouveau, Inc. (aka Nouveau Life Pharmaceuticals) (NOUV) (“NOUV”) today announced a Cannabis Cultivation Business Update scheduled to be published tomorrow, September 27, 2019.
The update tomorrow is part of a series of PURA corporate releases scheduled for this week following PURA’s CBD beverage industry survey results and corresponding analyst research update published last week in conjunction with PURA’s pre-marketing initiative for its new CBD infused beer, coffee and tea. Management plans to include in the announcements this week the latest news on the progress toward issuing the previously announced dividend of NOUV stock to PURA shareholders. The update will also include an overall update on NOUV’s cannabis cultivation business.
PURA owns the sole license of Kali-Extracts (KALY) U.S. Patented Cannabis Extraction Process which is utilized in the production of PURA’s infused beverages. Separately KALY has entered into an extraction contract with NOUV. The KALY business relationship with PURA and KALY will be included in the update tomorrow.
Yup...
I KNOW...DOW JONES...WHO THE HELL ARE THEY...ANYWAY, SOMETHING THEY POSTED...
Puration Confirms CBD Beverage Order From Distributor Supplying European Retail Grocery Chain
2:50 PM ET 9/25/19 | Dow Jones
(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires (212-416-2800)
September 25, 2019 14:50 ET (18:50 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2019 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
I KNOW...DOW JONES...WHO THE HELL ARE THEY...ANYWAY, SOMETHING THEY POSTED...
Puration Confirms CBD Beverage Order From Distributor Supplying European Retail Grocery Chain
2:50 PM ET 9/25/19 | Dow Jones
(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires (212-416-2800)
September 25, 2019 14:50 ET (18:50 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2019 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
House passes bill to protect cannabis industry access to banks, credit unions
House passes bill to protect cannabis industry access to banks, credit unions
GETTY
BY SYLVAN LANE
TWEET SHARE EMAIL
The House passed a bill Wednesday to give banks and credit unions legal cover to serve the cannabis industry even while the drug remains federally banned.
The bill, dubbed the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, easily passed the House by a vote of 321-103, with 229 Democrats, 91 Republicans and Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.) supporting the measure. Just one of the 103 votes against the measure came from a Democrat, Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama.
While the bill faces an uncertain future in a Republican-held Senate that is skeptical of easing drug laws, the House's approval marks a major step toward settling the vast differences between federal and state cannabis regulation.
"American voters have spoken and continue to speak, and the fact is you can't put the genie back in the bottle," said Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), the bill's lead House sponsor. "Prohibition is over. Our bill is focused solely on taking cash off the streets and making our community safer."
Even though cannabis is illegal under federal law, 33 states have legalized medical or recreational use of the drug. Another 14 allow residents to use nonintoxicating cannabidiol products, leaving just three states without any legally approved cannabis use.
The rapid state-level approval of cannabis has created a multibillion-dollar industry in the U.S. but one with fraught access to the financial services industry.
Banks and credit unions have largely avoided serving cannabis firms to avoid violating federal anti-money laundering and illicit finance laws. Such infractions could cost a bank or credit union millions of dollars in fines or legal fees and even their federal charter to operate nationwide.
Cannabis firms frozen out of the financial sector are often forced to operate with cash only, which creates high costs, logistical headaches and safety threats. The obstacles also extend to employees of cannabis dispensaries or cultivators, with or without financial stakes in the company.
"As a result, they sit on large pools of cash that make them a magnet for violent robberies," said Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), a bill co-sponsor who opposes cannabis legalization.
"The SAFE Banking Act will make our community safer by getting cash off the streets and into regulated financial institutions so we can root out fraud and other illegal activity," he added.
The bill seeks to limit these risks and challenges by prohibiting federal regulators from penalizing banks or credit unions that serve cannabis businesses that comply with state laws.
The measure also attempts to protect other firms that serve cannabis businesses - such as retailers, vendors and contractors - with legal clearance as long as the transactions are not otherwise illegal.
The bill was co-sponsored by a coalition of 180 Democrats and 26 Republicans, ranging from staunch progressives in favor of cannabis legalization to conservatives who urged respect for state-level decisions. It was passed by the House Financial Services Committee in March by a 45-15 vote.
Democrats are widely supportive of easing cannabis laws, making the bill an easy sell to the House majority. The endorsement of major financial sector lobbying groups, including the American Bankers Association, the Independent Community Bankers of America, and the Credit Union National Association, helped secure broad support for the bill.
The measure's sponsors also sought to rally Republicans around the bill with amendments to include longtime GOP priorities.
The bill bans bank regulators from closing accounts at firms unless they have reason to suspect illegal activity.
It also expands the protections provided by the bill to hemp growers and firms, which is seen as key to securing the support of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-Ky.), whose home state is the top U.S. hemp producer.
But a wide swath of House Republicans remained opposed to the measure, insisting that Congress should first narrow the legal gulf between federal and state cannabis laws.
"We do not fully understand the sweeping implications of this legislation," said Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.). "What this legislation does is provide a half answer to a much larger problem than just banking."
Democrats who supported the measure also urged Congress to tackle broader economic and criminal justice issues linked to cannabis legalization. Liberal lawmakers and criminal justice reform advocates have backed easing punishment for those jailed for cannabis-related crimes and steering profits to communities harmed by disproportionate enforcement of drug laws.
"Let me be clear: It is long overdue for Congress to address the unjust criminalization of marijuana use," said Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee.
"This bill is but one important piece of what should be a comprehensive series of cannabis reform bills."
Updated at 6:53 p.m.
House passes bill to protect cannabis industry access to banks, credit unions
House passes bill to protect cannabis industry access to banks, credit unions
GETTY
BY SYLVAN LANE
TWEET SHARE EMAIL
The House passed a bill Wednesday to give banks and credit unions legal cover to serve the cannabis industry even while the drug remains federally banned.
The bill, dubbed the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, easily passed the House by a vote of 321-103, with 229 Democrats, 91 Republicans and Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.) supporting the measure. Just one of the 103 votes against the measure came from a Democrat, Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama.
While the bill faces an uncertain future in a Republican-held Senate that is skeptical of easing drug laws, the House's approval marks a major step toward settling the vast differences between federal and state cannabis regulation.
"American voters have spoken and continue to speak, and the fact is you can't put the genie back in the bottle," said Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), the bill's lead House sponsor. "Prohibition is over. Our bill is focused solely on taking cash off the streets and making our community safer."
Even though cannabis is illegal under federal law, 33 states have legalized medical or recreational use of the drug. Another 14 allow residents to use nonintoxicating cannabidiol products, leaving just three states without any legally approved cannabis use.
The rapid state-level approval of cannabis has created a multibillion-dollar industry in the U.S. but one with fraught access to the financial services industry.
Banks and credit unions have largely avoided serving cannabis firms to avoid violating federal anti-money laundering and illicit finance laws. Such infractions could cost a bank or credit union millions of dollars in fines or legal fees and even their federal charter to operate nationwide.
Cannabis firms frozen out of the financial sector are often forced to operate with cash only, which creates high costs, logistical headaches and safety threats. The obstacles also extend to employees of cannabis dispensaries or cultivators, with or without financial stakes in the company.
"As a result, they sit on large pools of cash that make them a magnet for violent robberies," said Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), a bill co-sponsor who opposes cannabis legalization.
"The SAFE Banking Act will make our community safer by getting cash off the streets and into regulated financial institutions so we can root out fraud and other illegal activity," he added.
The bill seeks to limit these risks and challenges by prohibiting federal regulators from penalizing banks or credit unions that serve cannabis businesses that comply with state laws.
The measure also attempts to protect other firms that serve cannabis businesses - such as retailers, vendors and contractors - with legal clearance as long as the transactions are not otherwise illegal.
The bill was co-sponsored by a coalition of 180 Democrats and 26 Republicans, ranging from staunch progressives in favor of cannabis legalization to conservatives who urged respect for state-level decisions. It was passed by the House Financial Services Committee in March by a 45-15 vote.
Democrats are widely supportive of easing cannabis laws, making the bill an easy sell to the House majority. The endorsement of major financial sector lobbying groups, including the American Bankers Association, the Independent Community Bankers of America, and the Credit Union National Association, helped secure broad support for the bill.
The measure's sponsors also sought to rally Republicans around the bill with amendments to include longtime GOP priorities.
The bill bans bank regulators from closing accounts at firms unless they have reason to suspect illegal activity.
It also expands the protections provided by the bill to hemp growers and firms, which is seen as key to securing the support of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-Ky.), whose home state is the top U.S. hemp producer.
But a wide swath of House Republicans remained opposed to the measure, insisting that Congress should first narrow the legal gulf between federal and state cannabis laws.
"We do not fully understand the sweeping implications of this legislation," said Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.). "What this legislation does is provide a half answer to a much larger problem than just banking."
Democrats who supported the measure also urged Congress to tackle broader economic and criminal justice issues linked to cannabis legalization. Liberal lawmakers and criminal justice reform advocates have backed easing punishment for those jailed for cannabis-related crimes and steering profits to communities harmed by disproportionate enforcement of drug laws.
"Let me be clear: It is long overdue for Congress to address the unjust criminalization of marijuana use," said Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee.
"This bill is but one important piece of what should be a comprehensive series of cannabis reform bills."
Updated at 6:53 p.m.
House passes bill to protect cannabis industry access to banks, credit unions
House passes bill to protect cannabis industry access to banks, credit unions
GETTY
BY SYLVAN LANE
TWEET SHARE EMAIL
The House passed a bill Wednesday to give banks and credit unions legal cover to serve the cannabis industry even while the drug remains federally banned.
The bill, dubbed the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, easily passed the House by a vote of 321-103, with 229 Democrats, 91 Republicans and Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.) supporting the measure. Just one of the 103 votes against the measure came from a Democrat, Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama.
While the bill faces an uncertain future in a Republican-held Senate that is skeptical of easing drug laws, the House's approval marks a major step toward settling the vast differences between federal and state cannabis regulation.
"American voters have spoken and continue to speak, and the fact is you can't put the genie back in the bottle," said Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), the bill's lead House sponsor. "Prohibition is over. Our bill is focused solely on taking cash off the streets and making our community safer."
Even though cannabis is illegal under federal law, 33 states have legalized medical or recreational use of the drug. Another 14 allow residents to use nonintoxicating cannabidiol products, leaving just three states without any legally approved cannabis use.
The rapid state-level approval of cannabis has created a multibillion-dollar industry in the U.S. but one with fraught access to the financial services industry.
Banks and credit unions have largely avoided serving cannabis firms to avoid violating federal anti-money laundering and illicit finance laws. Such infractions could cost a bank or credit union millions of dollars in fines or legal fees and even their federal charter to operate nationwide.
Cannabis firms frozen out of the financial sector are often forced to operate with cash only, which creates high costs, logistical headaches and safety threats. The obstacles also extend to employees of cannabis dispensaries or cultivators, with or without financial stakes in the company.
"As a result, they sit on large pools of cash that make them a magnet for violent robberies," said Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), a bill co-sponsor who opposes cannabis legalization.
"The SAFE Banking Act will make our community safer by getting cash off the streets and into regulated financial institutions so we can root out fraud and other illegal activity," he added.
The bill seeks to limit these risks and challenges by prohibiting federal regulators from penalizing banks or credit unions that serve cannabis businesses that comply with state laws.
The measure also attempts to protect other firms that serve cannabis businesses - such as retailers, vendors and contractors - with legal clearance as long as the transactions are not otherwise illegal.
The bill was co-sponsored by a coalition of 180 Democrats and 26 Republicans, ranging from staunch progressives in favor of cannabis legalization to conservatives who urged respect for state-level decisions. It was passed by the House Financial Services Committee in March by a 45-15 vote.
Democrats are widely supportive of easing cannabis laws, making the bill an easy sell to the House majority. The endorsement of major financial sector lobbying groups, including the American Bankers Association, the Independent Community Bankers of America, and the Credit Union National Association, helped secure broad support for the bill.
The measure's sponsors also sought to rally Republicans around the bill with amendments to include longtime GOP priorities.
The bill bans bank regulators from closing accounts at firms unless they have reason to suspect illegal activity.
It also expands the protections provided by the bill to hemp growers and firms, which is seen as key to securing the support of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-Ky.), whose home state is the top U.S. hemp producer.
But a wide swath of House Republicans remained opposed to the measure, insisting that Congress should first narrow the legal gulf between federal and state cannabis laws.
"We do not fully understand the sweeping implications of this legislation," said Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.). "What this legislation does is provide a half answer to a much larger problem than just banking."
Democrats who supported the measure also urged Congress to tackle broader economic and criminal justice issues linked to cannabis legalization. Liberal lawmakers and criminal justice reform advocates have backed easing punishment for those jailed for cannabis-related crimes and steering profits to communities harmed by disproportionate enforcement of drug laws.
"Let me be clear: It is long overdue for Congress to address the unjust criminalization of marijuana use," said Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee.
"This bill is but one important piece of what should be a comprehensive series of cannabis reform bills."
Updated at 6:53 p.m.
I KNOW...DOW JONES...WHO THE HELL ARE THEY...ANYWAY, SOMETHING THEY POSTED...
Puration Confirms CBD Beverage Order From Distributor Supplying European Retail Grocery Chain
2:50 PM ET 9/25/19 | Dow Jones
(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires (212-416-2800)
September 25, 2019 14:50 ET (18:50 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2019 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.