This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced more risk management options for hemp farmers and provided details for some previously announced programs. Meanwhile, cannabidiol (CBD) retail franchise Franny’s Farmacy has opened another location, marking a step forward in the company’s mission to have up to 25 locations in the U.S. by the end of the year.
Here are the week’s top headlines you might have missed.
National: The USDA recently announced a Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program and provided additional details on its pilot Multi-Peril Crop Insurance program. Read more
Meanwhile, the USDA also hinted at which facets of the interim final rule may be revised and which ones may have a more permanent fate. Read moreColorado: Hemp genomics company Front Range Biosciences has started off the year announcing a range of partnerships that expand both its distribution network and its growing capacity. Read more
Meanwhile, Colorado State University is working on developing an analytical research lab that will allow researchers to identify and study various types of cannabinoids in order to determine what they could be used for, as well as the best way to formulate them into products. Read moreFlorida: Legislators recently passed two bills in committee hearings to refine and redefine the Sunshine State’s hemp program. One will allow farmers to plant any seeds deemed safe by the USDA, while another recognizes hemp extract as food. Read more
Kentucky: Hemp processor GenCanna has filed for bankruptcy after three companies filed an involuntary petition against the processor for owing them money in unpaid contract agreements. Read more
Louisiana: Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge has launched a hemp product line, making it the first historically black college or university (HBCU) to do so. Read more
North Carolina: The state is working under the 2014 Farm Bill’s industrial hemp pilot program for now, but uncertainty remains as hemp farmers await the next move once the program expires at the end of October this year. Read more
Meanwhile, Franny’s Farmacy co-owners Jeff and Franny Tacy recently opened a new location in their home state. The CBD retail franchise hopes to have up to 25 locations open in the U.S. by the end of the year. Read morePennsylvania: Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia are studying novel uses for hemp in medical and other industries—including clothing. Their work creating textiles out of hemp hurd has spun off in a hemp technology company called Hemp Black. Read more
