This week, Kentucky released data revealing a decline in the number of farmers licensed to grow hemp for the 2020 growing season. Meanwhile, Colorado and Illinois have recently implemented policies to bolster the hemp industry by allowing it to sell its products into the medical and adult-use cannabis market.
Here are this week’s top headlines you might have missed.
National: The U.S. Hemp Roundtable has submitted a 23-page comment to the USDA demonstrating hemp prices have declined far more than the 5% required to be eligible for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Read more
Colorado: The state is joining a growing number of states allowing hemp businesses to sell products into the licensed medical and adult-use cannabis market, which could assist a hemp industry left reeling from oversupply and the forced plowing of hot crops last fall. Read more
Florida: Two Florida individuals have filed lawsuits against Petsmart alleging the company sold hemp products that are ineffective and violate the FD&C Act. Read more
Illinois: Jeff Cox, bureau chief for medicinal plants in Illinois, discusses the state’s recent policy that allows licensed hemp growers to sell product to licensed cannabis cultivators for use in medical and adult-use cannabis products. Read more
Kentucky: The Kentucky Department of Agriculture recently released data that shows a decline in hemp farmers licensed for 2020, including 157 hemp growers who only received licenses this year to store hemp left from last year and won't be planting. Read more
