Issues surrounding the regulation of hemp and CBD on the state and federal levels have been dominating news headlines in January. Here, a glimpse at some of the latest:
South Dakota:StateSenate Bill 22 is scheduled for hearing on January 23. The issue to be discussed, according toRapid City Journal: Whether to classify most CBD oil as a Schedule IV controlled substance. The newspaper reported that hemp-derived CBD oils were available for sale in the state until September 2018, when local stores were raided by law enforcement raided and told they could no longer sell the product. Read morehere.
Tennessee:Local news stationWKRN.comreported that the Tennessee Hemp Industries Association and state lawmakers were seeking to change drug workplace testing laws. Current regulations do not distinguish between CBD and marijuana; the advocates argue that since hemp and CBD are legal on the federal level, they should not be subjects to the workplace regulations. Sen. Frank Niceley, who WKRN said worked to legalize hemp farming in Tennessee, is working on a proposal to change the current pass or fail guidelines for the state's Drug-Free Workplace Program. Read morehere.
Oregon: Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley issued aletterto FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb urging the FDA to clarify its position on several issues, including whether the agency will consider issuing a regulation to allow hemp derivatives in food, beverages or dietary supplements that cross state lines, according to a report by theAssociated Press. The Senators wrote that farmers in Oregon and the entire U.S. stand to make financial gains for their communities once the "outdated" regulations are updated. Read morehere.
Illinois:The public comment period is open (until February 11) for Illinoisans to offer their opinions on the state's industrial hemp program to develop regulations for growing the crop, according to theIllinois News Network. Read morehere.
