USDA Hemp Regulations Explained by Vicente Sederberg LLP and Vote Hemp
Nov 5, 2019
This is an exciting time for the cannabis industry! More than 80 years since prohibition began with the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, and almost one year after the 2018 Farm Bill finally removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act’s definition of marijuana, we’ve arrived at a historic moment: The United States Department of Agriculture has issued regulations governing the production of hemp as an agricultural commodity. This marks a final phase in ending the era of outdated laws which treated hemp like an illegal drug, and a pivotal step in establishing a true US hemp industry.
Watch our VS Hemp & Cannabinoids Practice Group attorneys analyze the USDA’s interim final rule and outline:
- What you need to know for your business to remain compliant
- What you need to know to position your business for success
- How to engage with the USDA to address areas for improvement to the interim final rule
We’re honored to be joined by Eric Steenstra from Vote Hemp, who explains the significance of these rules and the important work ahead for the industry.
While these rules are not perfect, they are undoubtedly progress and an important milestone for the industry. The interim final rule process, which is effective October 1, 2019 through November 1, 2021, provides a critical opportunity for your input as USDA has the authority to amend the final rule based on public comment. USDA is accepting public comment 60 days from the rule publication date and has emphasized the importance of industry participation to ensure they get it right. If you are interested in submitting public comment, please contact M.McDonald@VicenteSederberg.com.
For key takeaways from the USDA interim final rule, check out our blog post "USDA Hemp Regulations: What Was Expected, Unexpected and Unanswered."