2018 Farm Bill
Posted by TONYA ONEILL on
The Farm Bill of 2018, also known as the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, was a major piece of legislation signed into law on December 20, 2018. One of the key provisions of the bill was the legalization of hemp, a type of cannabis plant that has long been subject to strict regulation due to its close association with marijuana.
Prior to the passage of the Farm Bill, hemp was classified as a controlled substance under federal law and was subject to strict regulations that limited its cultivation, processing, and sale. The new law, however, removed hemp from the list of controlled substances, making it an agricultural commodity that can be grown, processed, and sold in the United States just like any other crop.
The legalization of hemp has major implications for the agricultural industry in the United States. Hemp is a versatile crop that can be used for a variety of purposes, including the production of textiles, building materials, food, and medicine. In recent years, the popularity of CBD oil, which is derived from hemp, has skyrocketed, making hemp a potentially lucrative crop for farmers.
Under the new law, the USDA is responsible for developing and implementing a regulatory framework for the production of hemp. This includes setting standards for the cultivation, processing, and sale of hemp, as well as providing oversight and enforcement of these standards. The USDA is also responsible for ensuring that hemp grown in the United States meets the definition of hemp as established by the Farm Bill, which specifies that hemp must contain no more than 0.3% THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana. Each state has different restrictions on these products and it is important to do research on what is and isn’t legal in your area.
One of the major benefits of the legalization of hemp is the potential to create new economic opportunities for farmers and rural communities. In the past, many farmers were unable to grow hemp due to the strict regulations and high costs associated with obtaining a license. With the passage of the Farm Bill, however, farmers can now grow hemp without fear of legal repercussions, and they have access to a new market that could provide a source of income for many years to come.