As more news of legislative support flows, the Hemp Farm Act of 2018 passed through the senate committee today with overwhelming reception. The bill, officially the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, passed 20-1 with some revisions from its original proposal.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell added amendments to the bill in favor of industrial legalization of Hemp farming. Though the one vote, from Senator Chuck Grassley, was opposed on procedural grounds, language involving CBD on the bill was modified before it passed.
The Agriculture Committee opposed the bill last month but McConnell, who proposed the bill, promised they would re-vote before a recess in July. The Majority Leader sees more of the agricultural benefit of the plant versus the recreational-use side from THC.
“I know there are farming communities all over the country who are interested in this,” said McConnell. “Mine are particularly interested in it, and the reason for that is — as all of you know — our No. 1 cash crop used to be something that’s really not good for you: tobacco. And that has declined significantly, as it should, given the public health concerns.
-Mitch McConnell, Agriculture Committee Panel
The bill, however, was modified to exclude federal support for CBD products. The change was not without outcry for many who supported the original bill. Grassley amended the bill to particularly exclude CBD “derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and/or salts of isomers” of the plant.
Commissioner Quarles posted this call-to-action on Twitter for fighting Grassley’s amendment:
“On behalf of Kentucky’s farm families, I STRONGLY oppose Senator Grassley’s Amendment to @SenateMajLdr’s Hemp Farming Act. The amendment would make CBD and other cannabinoids illegal. CBD has been a huge part of making our research pilot a model for the nation. Kentucky’s farmers and processors are making innovative CBD products available to consumers. We recorded millions of dollars in sales revenues last year. The Grassley Amendment must be STOPPED in its tracks. Call your representatives in Congress and tell them to SUPPORT the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 and to DEFEAT the Grassley amendment.”
The bill is typically renewed every 5 years with the most recent one expiring on September 30. The bill will be voted on by the full Senate before July 4th.
