Santa Fe Farms of New Mexico has bought a Colorado hemp-genetics firm to establish a line of propietary genetics. High Grade Hemp Seed of Longmont, Colorado, will retain its name and location but will become a subsidiary of Santa Fe Farms, which grows hemp on about 200 acres but does not have its own line… Continue reading Santa Fe Farms buys High Grade Hemp Seed to acquire its genetics portfolio
Category: Briefs
Mexico’s lower house approves landmark hemp, MJ legalization bill
Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill to allow regulated marijuana and hemp industries. But the pending law still has hurdles to overcome and it could be years before a flourishing industry emerges. Lawmakers in Mexico’s lower house voted largely in support of the bill, with 316 votes in favor and 129 against. There… Continue reading Mexico’s lower house approves landmark hemp, MJ legalization bill
New US economic stimulus bill allocates $4 billion in debt relief for farmers of color
Socially disadvantaged farmers including those in the hemp industry are in line for new debt-relief funds in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan of 2021. The legislation, which passed in the U.S. Senate Saturday and awaits changes and a final vote in the House, directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make payments to Black… Continue reading New US economic stimulus bill allocates $4 billion in debt relief for farmers of color
Oregon hemp grower loses search-warrant challenge
An Oregon hemp producer seeking $2.5 million in damages after its warehouse was raided by authorities looking for illegal marijuana suffered a big setback in federal court. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Clarke ruled that the search warrant used when authorities raided Oregonized Hemp Co., a farm and farm service contracting business, was valid. The Grants… Continue reading Oregon hemp grower loses search-warrant challenge
New USDA confirms looming nationwide hemp rules
The nationwide hemp rules are taking effect March 22 as planned, with no additional delay or review because of the changed administration at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA gave notice Monday that the rules have been reviewed and are cleared to take effect as planned. The USDA was giving the hemp plan a… Continue reading New USDA confirms looming nationwide hemp rules
Solar-powered car made with hemp components to begin production by year’s end
Solar-powered vehicles built from hemp are being reserved from an automaker in San Diego, which expects to go into production by the end of 2021. Aptera Motors, a startup, high-efficiency vehicle manufacturer, has developed a three-wheeled vehicle that can transport two people, and uses a solar array that can be supplemented with more solar panels… Continue reading Solar-powered car made with hemp components to begin production by year’s end
CBD giant Charlotte’s Web positions to enter THC market
Hemp-derived CBD giant Charlotte’s Web Holdings is positioning itself to enter THC and marijuana markets. The Boulder, Colorado, company says it has signed a five-year, $8 million purchase agreement option with a marijuana company started by its founders, Stanley Brothers USA Holdings Inc. The deal allows Charlotte’s Web to take over the marijuana business after… Continue reading CBD giant Charlotte’s Web positions to enter THC market
Alberta fiber processor resumes expansion after COVID-19 delay
Canadian Rockies Hemp Corp., a decorticator and processor near Edmonton, Alberta, says its expansion plans to become the largest hemp processing facility in North America are back on track after a $14 million (CAD$18 million) infusion from Merida Capital Holdings, a private equity cannabis investment fund. The loan will be used to help the processor… Continue reading Alberta fiber processor resumes expansion after COVID-19 delay
Canadian biotech firm forms JV with Australis Capital to expand capabilities in U.S.
An expanding tissue-culture laboratory with locations in Washington and Canada has entered into a joint venture with Australis Capital, a U.S. spinoff of Canadian marijuana producer Aurora Cannabis. 3 Rivers Biotech Inc., an agricultural technology company that specializes in commercial-scale micropropagation for marijuana, hemp and traditional crops including vegetables and fruit, will own 85% of… Continue reading Canadian biotech firm forms JV with Australis Capital to expand capabilities in U.S.
State ag departments join call for 1% THC in hemp
The nation’s state agriculture departments have joined the call for raising the THC limit in hemp from 0.3% to a full 1%. But the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture did not say in its policy statement how states propose making that change. The platform was adopted Thursday during the group’s winter meeting. The… Continue reading State ag departments join call for 1% THC in hemp
USDA wants new hemp production data from farmers
Federal agriculture officials plan to collect hemp acreage and production data from thousands of U.S. farmers in the coming months. The U.S. Department of Agriculture published a notice in the Federal Register late last month, requesting permission to gather data about hemp production from the White House. Though the type of data USDA is after… Continue reading USDA wants new hemp production data from farmers
MJBizCon announces return to Las Vegas Oct. 20-22
MJBizCon will return as a live, in-person event in Las Vegas this October, barring any unforeseen developments related to the coronavirus pandemic, Marijuana Business Daily announced Monday. The 10th annual cannabis trade show, the largest in the industry, is scheduled to be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and will include an online component… Continue reading MJBizCon announces return to Las Vegas Oct. 20-22
Levi’s teams with Danish fashion brand to roll out hemp denim
Levi’s is teaming with a Danish fashion brand GANNI to offer denim jeans, jackets, dresses and tops made of cottonized hemp. The collection promotes the items as more sustainable than cotton-based denim. “The hemp used to make the fabric is all rain-fed with a proven lower footprint than conventional denim, traditionally made from cotton,” Ditte… Continue reading Levi’s teams with Danish fashion brand to roll out hemp denim
Hemp producers: USDA preparing for 2022 Census of Agriculture with sample content tests
Hemp farmers may have seen something new in their mailboxes this winter, as federal agriculture officials prepare for the 2022 Census of Agriculture, which will include hemp farmers for the first time. Over the last two months, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service sent “content tests” to a sample of 36,000 producers… Continue reading Hemp producers: USDA preparing for 2022 Census of Agriculture with sample content tests
Customs and Border Protection accused of wrongly blocking trimmer components
A Canadian manufacturing company that makes agricultural equipment for the marijuana and hemp industries is accusing U.S. Customs and Border Protection of wrongly blocking imports needed by its Washington state subsidiary to build a hemp-trimming machine. Keirton USA says that Customs agents seized last month in Blaine, Washington, calling the equipment “drug paraphernalia.” The seizure… Continue reading Customs and Border Protection accused of wrongly blocking trimmer components
Tom Vilsack confirmed in Senate as new US Secretary of Agriculture
Three weeks after clearing his Senate agriculture committee hearing, the full Senate voted 92-7 Tuesday to confirm Tom Vilsack as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Vilsack, an Iowan, served in the same role for all eight years of the Obama administration, and oversaw the USDA during passage and implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill, which… Continue reading Tom Vilsack confirmed in Senate as new US Secretary of Agriculture
Study: Most high-CBD hemp plants are 90% marijuana, genetically
High-CBD plants inherit approximately 90% of their genes from marijuana, according to a new cannabis genomics study by the University of Minnesota and hemp breeding company Sunrise Genetics. The collaborators assembled a complete genome from a new cannabis variety and also examined several different cannabis varieties. They found that by breeding high-THC marijuana plants with… Continue reading Study: Most high-CBD hemp plants are 90% marijuana, genetically
Cannabinoids can improve skin, study says
This story first appeared at Marijuana Business Daily. The development and extensive marketing of cosmetics containing cannabinoids—primarily CBD—has occurred in the absence of solid scientific evidence of their efficacy. Can cannabinoids even be absorbed into skin and, if so, can they have beneficial health effects? A recently published study suggests they can. Researchers in Poland… Continue reading Cannabinoids can improve skin, study says
One third of Southwestern Oregon hemp farms violated state water laws in 2020
Oregon has uncovered water violations by 33% of hemp growers last year in an audit reviewing operations in the southwestern region of the state. The state’s Water Resources Department reviewed 187 of the 1,000 hemp farms in the region, which represents about half of the hemp operations in the state, the Capital Press reported. But… Continue reading One third of Southwestern Oregon hemp farms violated state water laws in 2020
Indiana House signs off on smokable hemp
The Indiana state House has overwhelmingly voted to reverse a smokable hemp ban being challenged in federal court. A bill approved 69-28 last week would remove references to “smokable hemp” from the state’s 2019 law setting up hemp regulations. Those regulations banned the production and sale of hemp flower products. The bill also repeals a… Continue reading Indiana House signs off on smokable hemp
Lucky Strike’s parent company now selling CBD vapes
British American Tobacco is selling flavored CBD vapes in the United Kingdom as it eyes new products beyond tobacco and nicotine. But the parent company of Lucky Strike says it is not ready to enter the THC market yet. The company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kingsley Wheaton, told CNBC this week that CBD is an “exciting… Continue reading Lucky Strike’s parent company now selling CBD vapes
Montana lawmakers mull plan to separate hemp, marijuana production
Montana is considering a new requirement that medical marijuana growers keep their operations confined to indoor environments, leaving the outdoors for hemp production only. A state Senate committee Thursday heard from hemp and marijuana growers on the bill that aims to prevent cross-pollination between hemp and marijuana, the (Helena) Independent Record reported. The bill would… Continue reading Montana lawmakers mull plan to separate hemp, marijuana production
NFL requesting research on CBD for pain management
The National Football League and its players’ union have requested industry research on CBD and other cannabinoids for pain management. The NFL says it is looking for information about “alternatives to opioids in routine pain management.” The request mentions CBD but is open to research on other cannabinoids. The request issued Wednesday also mentions research… Continue reading NFL requesting research on CBD for pain management
Canadian hemp, marijuana producer Tilray reports $271 million loss for year
Canadian hemp and marijuana producer Tilray cut its annual loss to $271 million for 2020 — an improvement from the Nanaimo, British Columbia company’s $321 million loss in 2019, according to the full-year and fourth-quarter results released Wednesday. Tilray, which is on the verge of being merged with Canadian peer Aphria, lost only $3 million… Continue reading Canadian hemp, marijuana producer Tilray reports $271 million loss for year
California hemp producer sues Santa Cruz County for incorrect hemp sampling, leading to crop loss
Sungrown Organic Hemp, a hemp producer California, says the county owes it $9.6 million for incorrectly sampling its 2019 hemp crop, which led to a false determination that the crop was marijuana. The Watsonville farm filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in county court, claiming that the Santa Cruz County Department of Agriculture used faulty sampling… Continue reading California hemp producer sues Santa Cruz County for incorrect hemp sampling, leading to crop loss
Elixinol executive joins US Hemp Authority board
An executive from international CBD brand Elixinol has been appointed to the board of directors at the U.S. Hemp Authority — one of the industry’s self-regulatory bodies. “From the start, Elixinol has gone above and beyond when it comes to product efficacy and transparency,” Elixinol CEO for the Americas Tom Siciliano said about his appointment.… Continue reading Elixinol executive joins US Hemp Authority board
H&M-owned clothing company debuts hemp denim
A denim maker owned by the H&M Group has debuted a line of hemp denim dyed with avocados and red onions. Weekday, a sustainable fashion brand based in Sweden, highlighted its first items made from hemp textiles at Stockholm Fashion Week last week, Sourcing Journal reported. The garments are dyed with food waste including avocados… Continue reading H&M-owned clothing company debuts hemp denim
CBD exec’s blank-check effort nets $115 million
A blank-check investment company led by the co-CEO of North Carolina CBD maker cbdMD has raised $115 million to invest in consumer goods. The new blank-check company, Adara, did not mention cannabinoid products in its November filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Instead, the company says it plans to invest in “companies in… Continue reading CBD exec’s blank-check effort nets $115 million
Pennsylvania awarding grants to promote hemp sales, exports
Pennsylvania is awarding $253,000 to organizations with projects designed to increase sales and exports of hemp products. Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the grants until March 5, PennWatch reported. Projects aimed at promoting consumer awareness are also eligible. “Hemp has presented a unique opportunity to build an industry from the ground up,… Continue reading Pennsylvania awarding grants to promote hemp sales, exports
DEA asking applicants about hemp use before legalization
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is asking job applicants whether they’ve used hemp before it was legalized in 2018, saying current and past drug use is taken into account in the hiring process. The DEA posted the updated questionnaire for applicants this month, asking prospective employees to “Please include any Hemp or Cannabidiol (CBD) use,… Continue reading DEA asking applicants about hemp use before legalization