World Health Organization Won’t Ease Coca Leaf Ban, Even As Review Found Prohibition Is More Dangerous Than The Plant
“It’s unacceptable for humanity to demonize a sacred medicinal plant. It was more of a political decision than a scientific one.” By Mattha Busby, Filter The World Health Organization had a historic opportunity to ease a strict global ban on the coca leaf—a prohibition, campaigners said, with “racist and colonial” roots. But the agency has […]
It’s ‘Unclear’ How Feds Will Enforce Hemp THC Product Ban, Congressional Researchers Say, Citing Limited FDA And DEA Resources
Congressional researchers say it “remains unclear” how the federal government might enforce a newly enacted law that takes effect next year banning hemp THC products—flagging concerns about a potential lack of resources on the part of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). After President Donald Trump signed appropriations legislation late […]
DOJ Knew Gun Ban For Marijuana Users Is Vulnerable To ‘Litigation Risk,’ Newly Revealed Memo Shows As Supreme Court Takes Up Issue
The Biden administration was evidently concerned about potential legal liability in federal cases for people convicted of violating gun laws simply by being a cannabis consumer who possessed a firearm, documents obtained by Marijuana Moment show. The previously unpublished 2024 guidance from former President Joe Biden’s Justice Department generally cautioned U.S. attorneys to use discretion […]
Federal Hemp Ban Pushed By GOP Is A ‘Step Backward,’ Democratic Congresswoman Says (Op-Ed)
“Our governments, farmers and small businesses need more guidance and regulatory certainty—not blanket bans.” By U.S. Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), via MinnPost Since Congress legalized hemp in 2018, Minnesota’s hemp industry has blossomed. In the roughly two and a half years since Minnesota signed its own hemp legalization bill into law, hemp has grown into […]
Minnesota Governor Is ‘Exploring’ How To Address Impending Federal Hemp THC Ban That Would Disrupt ‘Thriving Industry’
The governor of Minnesota says the state is “exploring” how to respond to an impending federal ban on hemp THC products, which would be “very disruptive” to a “thriving industry.” And a top GOP congressional lawmaker from the state is also reviewing options to “support consumers and provide industry stability.” At a press conference on […]
Florida Democratic Party Chair Slams Congress Over Federal Hemp Ban, Saying Her State Will Legalize Marijuana Next Year
The chair of the Florida Democratic Party, Nikki Fried, says the looming federal hemp ban that was tucked into a spending bill President Donald Trump signed into law this month is precisely why people “hate government”—with a multi-billion-dollar industry now in jeopardy just years after the crop was federally legalized. And she believes lawmakers will […]
Congressional Democratic Lawmakers Weigh Plans To Save Hemp Industry From Looming Federal Ban
Minnesota congressional Democrats are committing to preventing the collapse of the hemp industry after lawmakers passed a now-signed spending bill banning the sale of most consumable THC products, stressing the need to “fix it” before recriminalization takes effect next year and laying out opportunities to achieve that. And according to one lawmaker, it’s not just […]
New Federal Hemp Law Signed By Trump Amounts To ‘Ban Now, Ask Questions Later,’ Farmer Says (Op-Ed)
“We didn’t ban potatoes just because someone turned them into moonshine. We regulate alcohol. We should do the same with hemp.” By Mike Simpson, Lovewell Farms via Rhode Island Current I co-founded Lovewell Farms, Rhode Island’s only USDA-certified organic hemp farm in 2018. Since 2019, we’ve been growing legal hemp outdoors, using natural ethanol extraction […]
Wisconsin Hemp Business Owners Worry About Newly Approved Federal Ban On THC Products
“I just don’t understand why they thought that prohibition would be the right answer.” By Isiah Holmes, Wisconsin Examiner When Jacob Diener first heard that the status of hemp could be reviewed, he wasn’t too concerned. With his company, A Good Plug, the 32-year-old expected to continue producing small batch hemp products like gummies, brownies […]
Rand Paul Slams Alcohol And Marijuana Interests Over Federal Hemp Ban, Announcing He’ll File A Bill To Reverse It Next Week
A GOP senator says he’ll be filing a bill next week to protect the hemp industry from an impending federal ban on most cannabinoid products. He’s also calling out alcohol and marijuana interests for allegedly “join[ing] forces” to lobby in favor of the prohibitionist policy change, which will restrict access to a plant and its […]