Hemp Industry News

Canada’s agriculture sector avoided the general economic decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic because of a significant boost in cannabis sales.

The National Science Foundation has awarded nearly $600,000 to Delaware State University to help fund the university’s College of Agriculture, Science and Technology hemp research program.

The U.S. Navy has banned sailors and Marines from using hemp-based personal care products including lotions, soaps, and shampoos out of concern that they may contain THC; servicemembers are already banned from ingesting hemp-based products.

Federal officials have approved industrial hemp program proposals for Maine and Missouri.

Pakistan has approved a government-controlled hemp production plan that will allow hemp farming for industrial and medical purposes.

New Zealand company Sustainable Foods plans to launch a hemp-based burger next year through its Craft Meat Co. brand.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters at an event in Kentucky that he thinks people should be wearing hemp-based face masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Hempcrete has been used for decades as a sustainable option in construction materials — in the U.S., however, many hempcrete pioneers are stuck navigating outdated building codes and other local regulations.

New York’s Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball said the state will not submit an industrial hemp plan to the USDA until federal regulators change certain program requirements.

The FDA announced it is hiring a third-party contractor to test CBD “and related cannabinoids” for the agency.

Sullivan University in Louisville, Kentucky has announced a new Introduction to Cannabis Studies online course for the coming semester.

A judge in Laramie County, Wyoming last week threw out drug trafficking charges against hemp growers who were accused by prosecutors of growing cannabis with plans to distribute.

Hemp entrepreneurs and advocates are suing the state of Texas over regulations that ban smokeable forms of hemp products, arguing that the ban is unconstitutional.

Texas is about to institute a statewide ban on the sale of smokeable hemp products. However, the ban does not prevent Texans from ordering smokeable hemp products online.

The European Commission is considering labeling foods that contain hemp-derived CBD as “narcotic-related.” In the meantime, the commission has suspended applications for novel food products containing non-synthetic CBD.

Clint Eastwood is suing a host of CBD companies for allegedly using his name and likeness to promote their products without his permission.

The USDA has officially approved Minnesota’s hemp cultivation program; the final regulations are unchanged from the state’s 2016 pilot program.

Full-spectrum hemp oil brand Synchronicity has become the first CBD company to land a partnership with the United Soccer League.

Mike Tyson’s the Ranch Companies has announced a partnership with Smart Cups to manufacture printed, water-soluble cannabinoid products; consumers will be able to add their own liquid to create unique beverage infusions.

Collective Growth Corp., the new hemp investment and acquisition venture headed by veteran cannabis CEO Bruce Linton, raised $150 million in its recent IPO.

While there are more U.S. farmers this year who are licensed to grow hemp, total hemp acreage is down 9% from 2019.

Louisiana Gov. Edwards signed legislation this week that regulates hemp and CBD products, including a ban on selling hemp products “for inhalation” except for hemp-based rolling papers.

The FTC has filed a rare lawsuit against CBD company Whole Leaf Organics over unfounded treatment claims made by the company.

A recent industry rules update allows Illinois hemp producers to sell to licensed medical and adult-use cannabis processors.