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

Sleep and stress worries create opportunities for CBD and marijuana brands

(Editor’s note: This story is part of a recurring series of commentaries from professionals connected to the hemp industry. Jackie Berg is co-founder of CBD Marketing Hub, a digital-to-door agency focused on CBD and cannabis marketing.) Sleep is valued commodity and something many Americans are increasingly bereft of. Many health experts see sleep issues as… Continue reading Sleep and stress worries create opportunities for CBD and marijuana brands

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

Federal judge hands Indiana producers a setback on smokable-hemp challenge

A federal judge in Indiana is reversing course on a state law banning smokable hemp, handing growers and processors another defeat as they seek to find a path to market for the most profitable part of the plant. U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker told the Midwest Hemp Council and several hemp businesses challenging Indiana’s… Continue reading Federal judge hands Indiana producers a setback on smokable-hemp challenge

Choosing the best location for your retail CBD business

(A version of this story appears in the February issue of Marijuana Business Magazine.) From mom-and-pop shops to corporate chains, everyone in the retail business knows that a carefully chosen location is key to success. The cannabis industry is no exception. Although regulatory requirements, license availability and market demand will vary from place to place,… Continue reading Choosing the best location for your retail CBD business

Judge: CBD company did not mislead investors

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York Crediting the CBD company’s forthrightness, a federal judge in New York federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Massachusetts-based Curaleaf from investors who argued the company misled them about legality of its CBD products. The investors sued when Curaleaf’s share price fell in 2019 after… Continue reading Judge: CBD company did not mislead investors

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

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

How to head off partnership disputes before they happen

(This story appears in the February issue of Marijuana Business Magazine.) Partnership disputes — whether between business partners or owners and investors — continue to be an ugly feature of the marijuana and hemp industries. Such conflicts can be costly and time-consuming; plus, they can sink a cannabis company. But there are steps companies can… Continue reading How to head off partnership disputes before they happen

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

Texas smoke shop owner accused of selling MJ says products were legal hemp

A coastal Texas smoke-shop owner facing criminal marijuana charges after a police raid Tuesday says the cannabis flower, vapes, gummies and other products taken were legal hemp, not illegal marijuana. Faded Smoke Shop owner Alexandra Degollado faces charges of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, the Victoria Advocate reported. One of her store employees… Continue reading Texas smoke shop owner accused of selling MJ says products were legal hemp

Drug possession charges against Minnesota hemp farmer dropped

Prosecutors have dismissed charges against a Minnesota hemp farmer whose plants had elevated THC levels, saying that they had trouble locating witnesses because of delays in the case. Fillmore County prosecutors filed felony possession charges against Luis Hummel  in March 2019 after seizing his plants. They tested at 3% THC, 10 times higher than the THC… Continue reading Drug possession charges against Minnesota hemp farmer dropped

USDA creating hemp germplasm collection, funding lab to study plant breeding

Dionne Toombs Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture say they’re studying ways to boost hemp production and profitability for growers, and are collecting the first national statistics on domestic hemp production to be ready by next year. But Dionne Toombs, director for USDA’s Office of the Chief Scientist, gave no indication this week at… Continue reading USDA creating hemp germplasm collection, funding lab to study plant breeding

Hemp operators interested in federal checkoff program, survey shows

A clear majority of hemp farmers and processors support establishing a federal program to promote the crop, according to a survey by two industry groups, but not everyone supports paying for it. The National Industrial Hemp Council and the Hemp Industries Association polled their members late last year on the question of having a checkoff… Continue reading Hemp operators interested in federal checkoff program, survey shows

Broad-spectrum extract tea maker accused of false THC claim

A Michigan company making broad-spectrum hemp teas is battling claims that its products falsely promised 0.0% THC content. Total Life Changes LLC of Fair Haven, Michigan, has been sued by a New Jersey man who says the company’s instant Iaso Tea is “intentionally misleading the general public” by carrying a label that says it “contains… Continue reading Broad-spectrum extract tea maker accused of false THC claim

Bipartisan legislation directs Congress to regulate hemp-CBD as a dietary supplement

A bipartisan bill that was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday could push legal CBD through Congress, providing consumer access and protection while clearing the supply chain bottleneck. The Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2021 is sponsored by Representatives Kurt Schrader, a Democrat from Oregon, and Morgan… Continue reading Bipartisan legislation directs Congress to regulate hemp-CBD as a dietary supplement

Time to invest in cannabis in Mexico is now, attorneys say

Mexico is moving ahead on medical marijuana regulation — and all hemp and marijuana companies that envision doing business there in the future should start preparing now, lawyers say. The Mexican government has begun setting a regulatory structure for medical cannabis in the country, making it possible for companies to start applying for research licenses… Continue reading Time to invest in cannabis in Mexico is now, attorneys say

New Mexico judge repeals hemp regulations that revoked licenses without notice

A New Mexico district court has invalidated the state’s hemp production rules that allowed regulators to revoke or suspend licenses without notice and imposed strict testing requirements. Santa Fe District Court Judge Bryan Biedscheid said the New Mexico Department of Health’s rules were invalid because the agency failed to consult with the Medical Cannabis Advisory… Continue reading New Mexico judge repeals hemp regulations that revoked licenses without notice

New USDA hemp rules: Find out what you need to know to succeed

The U.S. Department of Agriculture kicked off 2021 with the release of federal regulations that will govern hemp production going forward. Find out the key elements of the new rules with a free webinar with leading industry professionals who will provide an overview of what hemp operators need to succeed. There is still time to… Continue reading New USDA hemp rules: Find out what you need to know to succeed

Despite pandemic, Midwest hemp producers build regional database to spot best cultivation practices

Want to know the best time to plant hemp in the Midwest? Or what cultivar consistently produces a crop below 0.3% THC? Researchers in the Midwest have successfully pooled that information despite the pandemic, creating a database designed to give farmers an idea of what to expect from their hemp cultivars in 2021 and beyond.… Continue reading Despite pandemic, Midwest hemp producers build regional database to spot best cultivation practices

FTC officials weigh in on CBD crackdown on false ads, urge caution

Federal regulators that go after companies for false advertising recently weighed on sanctions against CBD companies, with one urging the agency to focus on opioid manufacturers and another warning against a chilling effect on legitimate cannabis research. Rohit Chopra and Christine S. Wilson, two of five members on the Federal Trade Commission, recently published statements… Continue reading FTC officials weigh in on CBD crackdown on false ads, urge caution

Thailand legalizes hemp production for all uses

Thailand’s public health minister has approved regulations legalizing hemp production beginning Friday. The new rules allows hemp cultivation for commercial, medicinal, and research purposes, the Bangkok Post reported. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul approved the rules Thursday. The regulations will allow both exports and imports and the plant can be cultivated for extracts, beverages, cosmetics,… Continue reading Thailand legalizes hemp production for all uses

DEA asks judge to toss lawsuit from hemp operators challenging extraction rule

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit from the Hemp Industries Association over an extraction rule that meany fear will wrongly criminalize temporary byproducts of the plant during production. The DEA says in a filing Tuesday that HIA is challenging “a hypothetical regulation or policy concerning manufacturing byproduct”… Continue reading DEA asks judge to toss lawsuit from hemp operators challenging extraction rule

New cannabis beverage council drawing inspiration from alcohol prohibition to boost segment

The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp, an industry trade and advocacy organization, has formed a new Cannabis Beverage Council to connect cannabis industry and beverage industry leaders focused on expanding the cannabis beverage segment. Hemp-derived CBD beverages will be a growing segment among consumers, accounting for up to $1.3 billion in sales by… Continue reading New cannabis beverage council drawing inspiration from alcohol prohibition to boost segment

Swiss CBD company accuses Juul of stealing patent

A Swiss CBD company is accusing e-cigarette maker Juul of infringing on one of its patents. SwissX alleges in a lawsuit that Juul pods copy a nicotine vapor delivery system that SwissX bought the rights to last year, according to Law 360. The lawsuit was filed in Delaware federal court. SwissX, which is owned by… Continue reading Swiss CBD company accuses Juul of stealing patent

Want to promote hemp’s health benefits? Here’s how to do it without getting in trouble

Hemp businesses walk a fine line when describing the health benefits of their products: Make a claim without evidence or wording that misleads consumers, and soon the legal fees will pile up. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has guidelines for acceptable claims to make on labels for dietary supplements – the closest fit for… Continue reading Want to promote hemp’s health benefits? Here’s how to do it without getting in trouble

Restrictions on shipment of vaping products could impact hemp industry

Companies selling vaping products online, including those with CBD cartridges, will be forced to find an alternative to the U.S. Postal Service to ship their products and will face additional regulations come this summer. That’s because in late December, when Congress approved another appropriations bill to keep the government running, lawmakers also passed the “Preventing… Continue reading Restrictions on shipment of vaping products could impact hemp industry

Circle K wants to block hemp trademark that resembles its own

Circle K Stores Inc. wants to block a California hemp and marijuana holding company from using a design mark with “K” inside a circle. In a filing first reported by Law 360, the convenience-store chain is asking the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to oppose a registration application from Medical Marijuana Inc. of Poway,… Continue reading Circle K wants to block hemp trademark that resembles its own

NIHC chairman appointed to board advising U.S. on trade policy

The chairman of the National Industrial Hemp Council, Patrick Atagi, will serve on the U.S.’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Tobacco, Cotton and Peanuts. Members of the committee provide guidance and recommendations on trade policies to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. “It’s an honor to… Continue reading NIHC chairman appointed to board advising U.S. on trade policy

Clint Eastwood files third suit against CBD companies, saying they’re falsely claiming endorsement

Clint Eastwood has filed a third lawsuit alleging CBD companies are falsely claiming he’s endorsing their products. The legal action is the second the legendary actor has filed against Los Angeles-based Norok Innovation Inc. and its CEO Eric Popowicz but includes a different set of defendants, according to Law 360, which first reported the case.… Continue reading Clint Eastwood files third suit against CBD companies, saying they’re falsely claiming endorsement