Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree Introduces Hemp Advancement Act of 2022 to “Unburden the Hemp Industry”
This article originally appeared on LetsTalkHemp.com
By Steven Hoffman
U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) on February 8 introduced the Hemp Advancement Act of 2022 to improve the 2018 Farm Bill’s hemp provisions and provide greater clarity and flexibility to hemp growers and processors. While hemp production was federally legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill, red tape and regulatory uncertainty has hindered industry growth, the Congresswoman said in a statement.
“The 2018 Farm Bill laid a legal pathway for hemp production but created overly complicated regulations and hardship for farmers and small businesses in the process. I am introducing the Hemp Advancement Act of 2022 to eliminate unworkable testing requirements, set reasonable THC thresholds for producers and processors while protecting consumers, and end the discriminatory policy that bans people with drug convictions from growing legal hemp,” said Rep. Pingree.
“My bill takes a commonsense, straightforward approach to correct these unintended implementation problems and works to make the hemp industry more profitable and more equitable. My bill also provides a clear path forward for this industry and will support a thriving hemp economy,” she added.
Congresswoman Pingree released a short YouTube video clip about the Hemp Advancement Act here.
According to Rep. Pingree’s office, the Hemp Advancement Act of 2022 would:
Raise the allowable THC threshold for hemp and in-process hemp extract to make the rules more workable for growers and processors while ensuring that final hemp products sold to consumers aren’t intoxicating
Remove the requirement that hemp testing occur in DEA-registered laboratories, which is a particular challenge in Maine where there currently aren’t any of these facilities
End the 10-year ban on people with drug-related felony convictions receiving a hemp license, which disproportionately excludes communities of color from participating in this emerging market
“We are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Chellie Pingree for her strong leadership in spearheading this legislation on behalf of hemp growers, processors, and consumers nationwide. The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is proud to have led a broad-based industry effort to propose the policies that underlie this legislation and to have worked closely with Rep. Pingree’s excellent staff throughout the drafting process to ensure our concerns were taken into consideration. Rep. Pingree’s vision and tenacity will make a significant and meaningful difference for our emerging industry,” U.S. Hemp Roundtable said in a statement.
According to Rep. Pingree’s office, the Congresswoman has long supported the nation’s hemp farmers and hemp-derived CBD businesses, which have been at the mercy of unclear federal regulations. In February 2021, Rep. Pingree joined 18 members of Congress in reintroducing the bipartisan Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act, legislation to provide a regulatory pathway for the legal sale of hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD), as dietary supplements.
In September 2019, Rep. Pingree led a bipartisan effort urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a regulatory pathway for food products containing hemp-derived CBD. She also voted to pass the MORE Act in December 2020, which would decriminalize marijuana and remove federal obstacles for Maine’s burgeoning legal marijuana industry.
The Hemp Advancement Act of 2022 is supported by the American Herbal Products Association, Americans for Safe Access, Association of Western Hemp Professionals, Friends of Hemp, Hemp Alliance of Tennessee, Hemp Industries Association, iHemp Michigan, Realm of Caring Foundation, Inc., U.S. Hemp Authority, U.S. Hemp Building Association, U.S. Hemp Roundtable, Veterinary Cannabis Society, Virginia Hemp Coalition and the Wisconsin Hemp Alliance.
Hemp Industry to Congress and FDA: “Regulate CBD Now”
This article originally appeared on LetsTalkHemp.com
By Steven Hoffman
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable (USHR) at a press conference on June 18 in Denver called on members of Congress in Colorado and in states across the country to support national legislation that would call on the FDA to regulate CBD like any other dietary supplement.
With approximately 100 people in attendance in person and online via Zoom at its Spring 2021 membership meeting held at the Denver History Museum, USHR underscored its lobbying efforts by announcing the launch of Regulate CBD Now, an online campaign to encourage citizens to contact their representatives about important legislation impacting consumer access to hemp and CBD products in the U.S.
Members of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable announced on June 18 the launch of “Regulate CBD Now,” an online campaign to encourage passage of national legislation allowing access to CBD in dietary supplements and food and beverage products. Photo: Let’s Talk Hemp
According to USHR General Counsel Jonathan Miller, the hemp industry is focused on two bills that Congress is currently considering – H.R. 841 in the U.S. House of Representatives, and S. 1698 in the U.S. Senate – that would call on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate CBD as a dietary supplement or as a food additive. “To have CBD regulated like dietary supplements would be a game changer for the hemp-derived CBD industry,” Miller told Let’s Talk Hemp.
According to a statement by USHR, while the FDA has recognized the significant public interest in CBD, the agency has not yet established a legal pathway for its sale.
“We wanted to raise awareness of this important legislation by hosting our Spring meeting in Colorado, an epicenter of the hemp industry,” said Miller. “We’re grateful to Colorado Representative Ed Perlmutter for co-sponsoring H.R. 841, and we hope that Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) will co-sponsor H.R. 841, as she serves on the committee of jurisdiction, Energy and Commerce. Also, we hope Senators Hickenlooper and Bennett will support the Senate bill, S. 1698.” Miller noted that in addition to allowing CBD to be regulated like dietary supplements, the Senate bill also calls for CBD to be permitted as an ingredient in food and beverage products.
“Colorado is a hemp state. We need Colorado’s elected officials to stand up and support legislation that gives consumers confidence in our products, protects small businesses and farmers, and allows this new industry to thrive,” said Steve Smith, co-founder of Pet Releaf, a family-owned company based in Littleton, CO. Smith noted that Colorado is home to many hemp and CBD companies. However, regulatory uncertainty has started to dismantle this up-and coming market, he said.
“The only way we’re going to see a regulated CBD market is if everyday citizens make their voices heard,” Miller emphasized. “Taken together, these two bills are a huge step forward in creating more certainty for farmers, greater protections for consumers, and more economic opportunity for…hemp companies,” he said.
About the Bills
H.R. 841 – Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2021
Introduced by Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR), H.R. 841 allows the use of hemp, cannabidiol (CBD) derived from hemp, or any other ingredient derived from hemp in a dietary supplement, provided that the supplement meets other applicable requirements. Currently, FDA's position is that CBD products may not be sold as dietary supplements. (Source: congress.gov.)
S. 1698 – Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act
Introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), S. 1698 would allow hemp-derived cannabidiol and hemp-derived cannabidiol containing substances in dietary supplements and food and beverage products. (Source: congress.gov).
“Regulate CBD Now” Endorsed by Leading Consumer Products Associations
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is a national advocacy organization comprising a coalition of dozens of leading companies and organizations committed to safe hemp and CBD products. USHR works in partnership with national, regional and state organizations, and helps lead the way forward for hemp and CBD products through education and action.
In addition to USHR, the Regulate CBD Now campaign is supported by organizations including the Alliance for Natural Health, American Herbal Products Association, Citizens for Health, Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Council for Responsible Nutrition, Friends of Hemp, Hemp Alliance of Tennessee, Hemp Industries Association, Midwest Hemp Council, National Grocers Association, Texas Hemp Coalition, United Natural Products Alliance, U.S. Hemp Authority, U.S. Hemp Building Association, Vote Hemp, We Are for Better Alternatives (WAFBA), and the Wisconsin Hemp Alliance.
For more information, visit www.regulateCBDnow.com and www.hempsupporter.com.
Supporting the Juneteenth Holiday, and Diversity and Inclusion in Hemp
In addition to covering a lengthy agenda, members of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable also wrapped up their Spring meeting by honoring Juneteenth – the new national holiday celebrating emancipation from slavery in the United States – with a number of USHR members volunteering to work at the Juneteenth Music Festival on June 19 in downtown Denver. The volunteer opportunity was organized by USHR’s Minority Empowerment Committee (MEC) to advance the association’s efforts to achieve equity, including, diversity and inclusion in the industry hemp and CBD industries.
U.S. Hemp Roundtable members volunteered to work at the Juneteenth Music Festival on June 19 in Denver, CO – Photo: U.S. Hemp Roundtable Facebook Page