Hemp

Texas Lawmakers Push for Medical Marijuana Expansion Amid Efforts to Regulate Hemp Industry

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Austin, Texas – Lawmakers in Texas are moving to expand the state’s medical marijuana program while also considering stricter regulations on hemp products sold across the state. This legislative push aims to address both the needs of patients relying on medical cannabis and the growing unregulated hemp market that has emerged. Currently, only three licensed medical marijuana dispensaries operate in Texas, providing support to an estimated 110,000 patients since the program’s inception in 2018. Nico Richardson, CEO of Texas Original, expressed optimism about the potential expansion, stating that legislators are beginning to understand the importance … Read more

Georgia Legislature Advances Cannabis Reform: Intensifies Medical Usage While Regulating Recreational Hemp Products

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Atlanta, GA — Legislative gears are turning in Georgia, where significant changes to the regulation of cannabis have recently advanced. As state lawmakers navigate the legal landscape, three pivotal bills have sailed through the Senate just ahead of the crucial Crossover Day deadline. Cannabis, often categorized scientifically, includes various strains such as marijuana and hemp. These classifications are pivotal as they determine the legal protocols these substances must follow. In the United States, for instance, hemp is defined as any strain of the cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis. … Read more

Entrapment or Enforcement? Alabama’s Legal Buyers Face Arrest Over Hemp Products Amid Legal Confusion

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In Montgomery, Alabama, the act of purchasing a legal hemp-derived product can lead to unexpected consequences, including arrest. This paradox within Alabama’s judicial system poses significant concerns about the enforcement of state laws that clash with federal regulations permitting the sale of such products. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp and its derivatives, containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC, were legalized nationwide. Despite Alabama adhering to this federal definition, certain counties in the state have seen a troubling trend where individuals buying these legal products face criminal charges. This inconsistency points to a broader issue … Read more

Tennessee Judge Temporarily Saves Local Hemp Shops from Closure Amid THCA Sale Controversy

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Amidst regulatory uncertainties in Tennessee’s burgeoning hemp industry, local businesses breathed a temporary sigh of relief as a judge ruled that products containing THCA—a precursor to the psychoactive THC in marijuana—can remain on sale for now. This decision comes in the wake of a contentious law passed in April 2023 to regulate hemp products more strictly. The legislation aimed to curb the sale of certain hemp derivatives by granting the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) the authority to set rules on permissible products. However, the law sparked lawsuits from two significant political … Read more