Although the production of hemp was legalized under the Farm Bill of 2018, the endless demands of regulations make it difficult for the growers to survive because of the limit to THC thresholds.
A bill has now been introduced to fix this problem and is anticipated to increase the limit of THC from 0.3% to 1%. This would help save some of the farms.
Cellie Pingree, Congresswoman, D-Paine, announced the Hemp Advancement ACt of 2022”. The goal of this act is to improve the provisions laid down under the Farm Bill of 2018 and also provide more flexibility and clarity to the processors and growers of hemp.
“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,” Congresswoman Pingree said.
She further stated, “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.”
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is among the few hemp organizations that have come out in support of this Act.
U.S. Hemp Roundtable, General Counsel Jonathan Miller said that, “The 2018 Farm Bill, while well-intended, left some challenges. The USDA has done a terrific job of responding to farmer concerns, but there are certain issues that have to be changed in the law to reduce the burdens on U.S. farmers—the first is the THC level.”