Currently there are 40 states with hemp pilot programs.  Proponents and activists both stand behind the Hemp Farming Act of 2014 as grounds to be able to sell CBD legally to all 50 states.  The senate’s version of the 2018 Farm Bill looks to completely remove Cannabidiol from the Controlled Substance Act.   This version includes the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 and has been endorsed by the both sides of the aisle, with Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) positioning themselves as the acts largest supporters.   Both of these members come from agricultural states that have struggled with their own unique problems over the past decade.   Across the board, members of congress understand that farming is the backbone of the nation; giving farmers support to grow this valuable new crop will demonstrate that.  When the House of Representatives comes back from summer recess in September, both their version and the senate’s version will be taken to the Farm Bill Conference.  As of now, only the senate’s version contains language to remove CBD off the CSA.   

The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 will also provided farmers with Federal Crop Insurance.  It includes language to prevent the disruption of interstate commerce; this is a vital step to ensure farmers and business owner’s the ability to ship their products across state lines.   Farmers and inventors will be able to get research grants and loans from the USDA with this Act.  This Act will also make the cannabinoid Cannabidiol an agricultural commodity.   The Department of Agriculture will be named as the regulatory agency, something that was lacking in the 2014 Hemp Farm Act.   

Indications from D.C. are that the senate’s version is a stronger bill and should be the final version once the conference completes.   In the meantime, you can reach out to your congressional representatives and let them know that you want them to support the Senates version of the 2018 Farm Bill.