Here’s the intro to Bob’s latest piece for Forbes
In late May (2024), during the advancement of a renewed federal Farm Bill House Ag. Committee hearing, an amendment was offered in the House Agriculture Committee by Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.). As I have previously reported, this amendment would change the definition of federally authorized legal hemp to only allow for non-intoxicating cannabinoids that are derived naturally from the cannabis plant. Currently, the Farm Bill definition of hemp expressly legalizes all products and hemp derivatives that contain up to 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC (D9), the principal psychoactive component of the plant. The existing (2014 and 2018) Farm Bill hemp language has opened the door for products with ~5 mg of D9 — enough to produce a ‘high’ effect — and authorizes other hemp derivatives, such as Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC, with similar psychoactive effects. And the sale of such products has already created a greater than a $21.3 billion dollar consumer market.
This committee amendment (the “Miller Amendment”) ushered in a tremendous wave of legislative and often-times frenetic lobbying activity surrounding the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, and the relevant hemp provisions contained therein. But the fallout from the Miller Amendment was only the beginning. Since that time, numerous influential Congressional members have publicly entered the fray and have taken an active stance related to the Farm Bill and its hemp provisions.
“It’s refreshing to see members of Congress stand up to protect the regulated hemp industry that has helped farmers and small businesses over the past ten years. A special thanks to Representatives Nancy Mace, Morgan McGarvey, James Comer, Thomas Massie, Andy Barr, and Mark Pocan for their willingness to protect our thriving industry,” Bret Worley, CEO of MC Nutraceuticals, said on July 25, 2024.
