The use of cannabidiol products for the treatment of either a specific health condition or for general well-being is becoming prevalent among the general public, according toĚýĚýpublished in the journalĚýCannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

Researchers at San Diego State University and at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon surveyed a self-selected cohort of 2,409 respondents with regard to their use of CBD products. Respondents typically ranged between 55 and 74 years of age.

Almost 62 percent of respondents reported using CBD for the purposes of treating a specific medical condition. The top three most commonly cited medical conditions were pain, anxiety, and depression. Almost 36 percent of subjects reported that CBD treats their medical conditions “very well by itself,” while only 4.3 percent reported the substance to be largely ineffective.

Authors concluded: “The use of CBD among individuals for both specific health conditions and general health and well-being is widespread. … CBD is being used as a specific therapy for a number of diverse medical conditions – particularly pain and inflammatory disorders, in addition to anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. A large percentage of respondents indicate that CBD treats their condition(s) effectively in the absence of conventional medicine and with non-serious adverse effects. These data provide a compelling rationale for further research to better understand the therapeutic potential of CBD in treating chronic pain, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and other medical conditions.”

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Colorado U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R) and Michael Bennet (D) this week cosponsored the bipartisanĚýHemp Farming Act of 2018, which would legalize and clearly define hemp as an agricultural commodity and remove it from the list of controlled substances. The legislation also would give states the opportunity to become the primary regulators of hemp, allow hemp researchers to apply for competitive federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ensure growers in the West can access water, and make hemp farmers eligible to apply for crop insurance.

“Removing industrial hemp from the Controlled Substances Act is a commonsense move which would create jobs and get the government out of the way of Colorado’s farmers and agricultural industry,”ĚýGardner said.Ěý“Hemp has the potential to be a major boon to Colorado agriculture, giving farmers another viable and profitable option for their fields.”

“It’s past time for Washington to recognize the growth of hemp as an agricultural commodity and legalize it nationwide,”ĚýBennet said.Ěý“This bipartisan legislation builds on the successful pilot program we created in the 2014 Farm Bill, eliminating federal barriers and providing certainty for states and hemp growers. We’ll continue working with Senate leadership on behalf of Colorado’s hemp farmers and entrepreneurs to pass this bill.”

“As the sponsor of establishing hemp regulations in 2013 and various measures since and actually becoming a grower in 2017, I am thrilled that Colorado is leading the nation in this burgeoning new industry,”ĚýColorado State Senator Don Coram said.Ěý“The only road block has been the Federal status of being a schedule one substance. Senator Bennet and Senator Gardner have been champions for the hemp industry. Their joint effort on the new proposals will be the culmination of years of effort that is the major piece needed to be successful in this new endeavor.”

“We are excited to learn that Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner are stepping up to co-sponsor The Hemp Farming Act of 2018,”ĚýMontrose Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Sandy Head said.Ěý“When passed, this bill will have a tremendous economic impact our agriculture sector and our economy as a whole. It will remove the barrier to financing for hemp farmers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs and will allow for the development of innovative technology using hemp which in turn will lead to job creation. There is tremendous opportunity for hemp here on the Western Slope, and their leadership and support is greatly appreciated.”

In 2017, Gardner and Bennet introduced theĚýĚýto ensure farmers across the West can use the water they own through private water rights to grow industrial hemp in states where it is legal. The bill’s language was included in the FY18 Senate Energy and Water appropriations package.

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It is NBA All-Star weekend, which is one of my favorite weekends of the year. I have been an avid NBA fan since I was a little kid and have always dreamed of attending an NBA All-Star weekend. I used to have a deeply held belief that the NBA All-Star game would come to Portland, Oregon so I could attend in my home state, but as I got older I realized that was very unlikely to ever happen because Portland is such a small metro area compared to big NBA cities like Los Angeles and New York City.

This year’s NBA All-Star game is taking place in Los Angeles and this week in Beverly Hills to coincide with the start of NBA All-Star weekend. Harrington has been advocating for cannabis reform in the NBA as well as in society, the successful California initiative that was approved by voters in 2016 which legalized cannabis in California.

Al Harrington had already launchedĚýViola Extracts and his new CBD company,ĚýHarrington Wellness, will serve as a sister company to Viola Extracts along with another company calledĚýButter Baby (edibles). All three companies are part of an umbrella company calledĚýThe Harrington Group. Viola Extracts products are already on sale in California and Oregon, and Harrington Wellness products are expected to make it to dispensary shelves this summer.

The launch of Al Harrington’s new company involved a star-studded dinner that was attended by a number of celebrities. What was really significant to me was members 0f the NBA community who were in attendance. Current Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue was there, as was current executive director of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Michele Roberts. Current NBA playersĚýKyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors) and Trevor Ariza were also in attendance (Houston Rockets). Retired NBA players such asĚýStephen Jackson, Charles Oakley, and Kenyon Martin were there too. To be clear, on the off-chance that a league prohibitionist is reading this article, there’s no evidence that any of the previously mentioned names actually consumed any cannabis products while attending the dinner (not that there’s anything wrong in my opinion if they did!).

I think in years past such high-profile members of the NBA community would have been scared to show up to a CBD company launch out of fear of the stigma that was associated with such companies. However, it’s a new era where the stigma is not nearly what it once was. The NBA currently prohibits any form of cannabis consumption (although it only tests for THC) but players such as have been putting pressure on the league to allow players to consume cannabis. Cannabis reform has a greater level of support now in the United States than ever before.

There are two ways that the NBA could end cannabis prohibition. The first is if the league itself made the decision to end cannabis prohibition, which for whatever reason doesn’t seem likely. The more likely route is via collective bargaining negotiations between the league and the NBPA, which is why Michele Roberts being in attendance for Al Harrington’s CBD company launch is a really big deal in my opinion. Hopefully she learned about the benefits of cannabis and will publicly join the push to get the NBA on the right side of history.

Al Harrington’s new company, Harrington Wellness, is going to produce, market, and sell CBD products that are derived from hemp. Hemp and marijuana are both part of the same cannabis species, but from a public policy standpoint are treated differently. Hemp is defined as . Hemp is often rich in CBD, which is why so many people are making products out of hemp now.

CBD products derived from hemp are complicated from a legal perspective. Anyone who says otherwise is likely a seller of CBD products. The only CBD products that are legal in all 50 states, and therefore can cross state lines according to the United States federal government, are those that contain no THC and are imported from another country. Per the :

Federal law prohibits human consumption and possession of schedule I controlled substances. Products containing tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), the hallucinogenic substance in marijuana are illegal to import. Products that do not cause THC to enter the human body are therefore legal products.

The following hemp products such as clothing hats, shirts, shoes, cosmetics, lotion, paper, rope, twine, yarn, shampoo, and soap, (containing sterilized cannabis seeds or oils extracted from the seeds), etc. may be imported into the U.S.

Via a hemp cultivation and sales are legal within states that have created a legal hemp pilot and/or research program. Because of that specific provision, intrastate sales of hemp and hemp products (including CBD products) is legal. However, when it crosses state lines it’s a different story, at least according to the DEA. In March 2017 Ěýwith the exception of the previously mentioned imported products. Many CBD product sellers have claimed that the DEA is wrong and/or that the DEA is just making empty threats, but that proved to not be the case this month when .

To be fair, just because the DEA took action does not mean that the entities raided will be found guilty. It’s quite possible that the CBD products were imported from out of the country. , so it’s possible that’s how the CBD products involved came about, although I do not think that Tennessee has issued hemp cultivation permits yet (I could be wrong, feel free to correct me in the comments if that is not the case). There is also a working its way through the federal court system, so that could end the matter, but only time will tell if that proves to be the case.

Regardless of the legalities involved, the launch of Al Harrington’s company and the people in attendance are a very big deal for the sports cannabis movement. Hopefully it encourages more members of the NBA community to come out in support of reform in professional sports and encourages members of other league communities to do the same as well. All cannabinoids, including CBD, are safer than alcohol and pharmaceutical drugs, two things that are widely embraced by the NBA and other professional sports leagues that prohibit cannabis consumption. Athletes in professional sports leagues should be allowed to make the safer choice. Congratulations to Al Harrington and his team on their big announcement!

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After a successful inaugural year in which industrial hemp was reintroduced in Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Wolf today announced the commonwealth will significantly expand the opportunities for this promising agricultural crop in 2018. From fewer than 50 total acres in 2017, next season’s crop could cover 5,000 acres or more.

For 2018, the commonwealth will permit up to 50 individual growers or institutions of higher education to grow up to 100 acres apiece. Institutions of higher education also may partner with individual growers to produce larger quantities of hemp. Last year, the department limited the number of growers to 30, each of whom could grow no more than five acres.

“Hemp had a long history in Pennsylvania until it disappeared from the landscape half-a-century ago, but now, I’m excited that we’ve brought it back and we’re creating new agricultural opportunities in the process,” said Governor Wolf. “Last year was a learning experience for growers and the Department of Agriculture alike, but even with the small-scale research pilot projects of 2017, it was clear there is a tremendous enthusiasm among growers. Our expanded program is designed to capitalize on this interest in 2018.”

The 2014 federal Farm Bill paved the way for Governor Wolf to sign Pennsylvania’s Industrial Hemp Research Act (Act 92) into law on July 20, 2016, which allows researchers from institutions of higher education and individual growers contracting with the state Department of Agriculture to apply for permits to grow industrial hemp for research purposes.

“The 2017 growing season was incredibly informative for us,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “We learned about the challenges of sourcing seed, controlling weeds, harvesting, and finding markets. Each of last year’s 14 projects taught us something valuable and we’re pleased that every one of those project leaders are likely to reapply next year. We expect to see the full potential of this industry in 2018.”

For thousands of years, industrial hemp was grown to produce fiber, food and seed; more recent uses include biofuel and materials to replace fossil-fuel-based plastics. However, when marijuana, a different variety ofĚýCannabis sativa, was federally outlawed in 1937, industrial hemp also was prohibited even though it did not produce levels of the chemical delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) sufficient to provide any psychoactive effect. Under state and federal law, THC levels must not exceed concentrations greater than 0.3 percent.

Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act, passed in April 2016 and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, requires that cannabis for medical use be grown at a permitted growing facility. Medical marijuana must meet strict requirements for purity and specific chemical concentrations.

Aspiring hemp growers should review the new parameter document to understand the permitting process, then complete and return the 2018 Industrial Hemp Research Pilot Program permit application and application fee before the January 19, 2018 deadline. Permit applications and additional information is available on the Department of AgricultureĚý.

Growers who participated in the 2017 pilot research program may opt to renew their permits to continue an existing project from the previous season, or they may submit a new project. All applications to participate in the 2018 Industrial Hemp Research Pilot Program must be received by 4:00 PM on January 19, 2018.

Research projects might explore a range of topics including planting methods, such as seed variety trials, fiber or seed yields, optimum fertility levels, pest management; harvesting techniques or product marketing options; or conservation, remediation or biofuel.

The permitting process will outline reporting requirements and restrictions related to THC levels, plant management, transportation, branding, and other legal responsibilities.

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Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo. introducedĚýThe Industrial Hemp Water Rights Act today, legislation to ensure farmers can use their water rights to grow industrial hemp in states where industrial hemp cultivation is allowed.

In 2014, due to an amendment authored by Polis, U.S. Department of Agriculture began a pilot program authorizing farmers to grow industrial hemp. The pilot program has been stifled, though, because the Federal Bureau of Reclamation prohibits farmers from using federally controlled water to grow controlled substances, which includes industrial hemp.

“Farmers deserve the freedom to use their water to grow industrial hemp, an age-old crop with boundless potential,”Ěýsaid Polis.Ěý”The law already allows farmers to cultivate hemp; it only makes sense that we cut the red-tape and allow them the water they need to grow it and grow jobs in the process.Ěý Hemp can be used as a more sustainable alternative for everything from paper to biofuel, if only we afford the industry the tools it needs to grow.”

Polis’s bill would ensure that owners of water rights can use their water to grow industrial hemp, regardless of whether the water passed through federal water projects.

“Colorado grows more hemp in this country than any other state. In fact, according to the recent Ag report, there’s more hemp acreage in Colorado than there are peach orchards,” saidĚýTim Gordon, President of the Colorado Hemp Industry Association. “So it is imperative that our farmers are able to exercise their water rights for this crop and this expanding industry in Colorado as well as other states following our lead. We are glad to have Congressman Polis take the lead on this issue as he has for years.”

Polis is the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Cannabis Caucus.Ěý The Caucus serves as a forum for members of the U.S. House of Representatives to discuss, learn, and work together to establish a better and more rational approach to federal cannabis policy, including hemp. Earlier this year, he also reintroduced the Industrial Hemp Farming Act which would remove hemp from the Controlled Substance Act.

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Congressmen James Comer (R-KY), Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Jared Polis (D-CO), and Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced federal legislation to end unnecessary and outdated regulations on industrial hemp.Ěý The Industrial Hemp Farming Act exempts industrial hemp from the Controlled Substance Act’s definition of marijuana, creates a new category for hemp research at universities and state departments of agriculture, and allows for further commercialization of industrial hemp crops.

“I am honored to sponsor the Industrial Hemp Farming Act because I know firsthand the economic viability of industrial hemp.Ěý Hemp has created new opportunities for family farmers and good paying jobs for American workers, especially in Kentucky,” said Rep. Comer who led the successful industrial hemp efforts in Kentucky as the Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture.

“Industrial hemp isn’t a new crop to the United States, but most Americans aren’t aware of the wide range of legitimate uses for it. I’ve met many Virginia farmers who are ready to commercially produce and create a market for industrial hemp in the U.S., but outdated, though well-intentioned, federal restrictions on the cultivation and commercialization of this crop stand in the way. By removing industrial hemp from the definition of a controlled substance, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act will finally allow for responsible, commercial production of industrial hemp without fear of violating federal law. This bipartisan legislation is the product of many months of robust discussion with both lawmakers and stakeholders. I am pleased to see it introduced today, and I look forward to moving this legislation through the House,” said Congressman Bob Goodlatte.

“Industrial hemp is a sustainable crop and could be a great economic opportunity for Kentucky farmers,” said Rep. Massie. “I’m optimistic that we can get theĚýIndustrial Hemp Farming Act to the President’s desk this Congress.ĚýIn 2014, for the first time in over half a century, hemp was grown and harvested in Kentucky under the pilot programs allowed by the Polis-Massie-Blumenauer amendment to the 2014 Farm Bill. I look forward to working with Congressman Comer to build onĚýthatĚýmomentum to give our nation’s farmers and manufacturers more opportunities to compete and succeed in the global economy. I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of this bill introduced by Congressman Comer, who was instrumental in bringing the hemp industry to Kentucky as Agricultural Commissioner,” Massie added.

“Hemp has boundless potential as a sustainable alternative to plastics and other environmentally harmful products,” Polis said.Ěý “It can be used in everything from construction materials to paper to lotions and even ice cream.Ěý It’s past time that we eliminate absurd barriers and allow hemp farmers to get to work, create jobs, and grow this promising and historically important crop!”

Kentucky is widely viewed as one of the leading industrial hemp producing states.Ěý Both Kentucky’s U.S. Senators, Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, are strong supporters of industrial hemp and worked together with Rep. Thomas Massie to add language in the 2014 Farm Bill to allow further growth of industrial hemp crops in states that passed regulatory framework.Ěý Comer’s bill will take industrial hemp to the next level and begin to treat hemp like corn, soybeans, wheat, and other traditional farm crops.

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The center specializes in a variety of industrial hemp products, many of which have great nutritional value. The grandma approved resource center also carries a variety of Cannabidiol (CBD) infused hemp based products. CBD is a non-psychotropic component found in all cannabis plants, including the hemp plant. The center offers administrative methods including oral and external, many of which are able to be tried for free on site.

CBD has shown it may help with several ailments including chronic pain, parkinson’s, seizures, anxiety and more. Toledo Hemp Center owner Kevin Spitler states: “As we see less people in society with less pain, and other ailments we begin to see less people taking pills to try and achieve relief. If we see less people in society taking less pills we then see less people possibly becoming addicted ultimately reducing the chance of moving on to stronger drugs like heroin.” Toledo Hemp Center has seen well over 12,000 customers over the past year many of which have received relief on many levels. According to a national survey, less than 4 percent of people who had misused prescription pain medicines started using heroinĚýwithin 5 years. A quick crunch of number and Toledo Hemp Center may have helped up to 480 avoid an addiction which may have lead to Heroin.

The Toledo Hemp Center Hemp to Recovery March will focus on proactive holistic measures of helping to fight the heroin epidemic. Supporters will peacefully march from the Toledo Hemp Center location (815 Phillips Ave, 43612) to the Team Recovery building (1618 W. Sylvania Ave) bearing signs. The march will Ěýthen return to Toledo Hemp Center to end where supporters will disperse.

WHAT: Toledo Hemp Center Hemp to Recovery March

WHERE: Toledo Hemp Center, 815 Phillips Ave Toledo OH 43612

DATE:ĚýJuly, 23 2017

WHY: Promote awareness of no high hemp as an alternative to many pharmaceutical pills

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Recently, U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Al Franken (D-MN), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) urged Attorney General Jeff Sessions to address their constituents’ concerns regarding the hemp industry’s access to financial services by confirming the Department of Justice will respect Congress’ recent actions on industrial hemp pilot programs.

While the 2014 Farm Bill allowed state agriculture departments and universities to conductĚýindustrialĚýhempĚýresearch pilot programs in states that have authorized the growing and production ofĚýindustrialĚýhemp, including Kentucky, Oregon, Colorado, and Minnesota, the senators noted that some program participants “have either had their personal and business accounts closed at financial institutions or are facing the possibility of losing them.”Ěý

“This situation,”Ěýthey continued,Ěý“is evidently due to the uncertainty of the continued legal status of the industrial hemp industry, and because the funds contained in the accounts are associated with industrial hemp.”Ěý

The members asked Attorney General Sessions to make it clear the Department of Justice will uphold the 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which prevents the federal government from interfering with the cultivation, transportation, processing, sale, or use of industrial hemp as authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, and not actĚýagainst financial institutions that handle related funds.

As the senators stated,Ěý“Industrial hemp research and farming have opened up doors for students, farmers, and small businesses in our states. In fact, American-grown hemp is already being used in a number of products, including fibers in automobile panels, fuels, food, animal bedding, and soaps, lotions and oils.”

Attorney General Sessions’ assurance that the Justice Department will abide by Congress’ actions will provide stability and help enable pilot programs to reach their full academic and economic potential.

You can read the senators’ entire letterĚý.

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On Wednesday June 21, 2017, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed the states hemp legalization legislation. The bill will eventually allow farmers across the Palmetto State to cultivate legal industrial hemp, which is defined federally as cannabis with a THC level below 0.3%.

Initially they will only be allowing 20 acre plots and only 20 licenses will be issued the first year. They will begin accepting applications in July for cultivation, but it is unclear whether farmers will have enough time to grow this season. Licensing to grow the crop mandates that growers must submit to a background check, among other requirements.

Co-sponsor of the bill, Rep. Russell Ott of St, Mathews, , “I know that people have already contacted the department to let them know that they are interested in applying for the permit. The bottom line is, we could have hemp being grown in South Carolina this year, and that’s exciting.”

The second year of cultivation they will issue 50 licenses for 50 acres each. After that, the states Department of Agriculture will coordinate with the state universities doing research to determine the number and size of permits that will be issued.

“As growers come aboard and products are developed, the industry has a chance to both add to a farmer’s bottom line and perhaps breathe life into some of South Carolina’s abandoned textile mills,” State Sen. Danny Verdin, chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. “This very slow and heavy regulated approach will quickly evolve into a valuable industry. Imagine if we could actually make textiles in our textile mills again.”

The bill easily passed the state’s House and Senate in May, and McMaster indicated at that time he would sign the bill when it was presented to him.

Original article from Oregon Cannabis Connection Syndicated by special permission.

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To highlight the vast economic potential of industrial hemp for America’s agricultural industry, the Senate passed a bipartisan resolution designating June 5-11, “Hemp History Week.”

Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Rand Paul, R-Ky., introduced the bipartisan resolution Wednesday. The Hemp History Week resolution passed the Senate unanimously last night.

The United States is the world’s largest consumer of industrial hemp, but current federal law prohibits American farmers from growing hemp on U.S. soil. The federal ban forces American businesses to import about $76 million in hemp to make retail products like food, clothing, toiletries like soap, lotion and lip balm, as well as paper products and construction materials sold in the United States.

“The unjustifiable ban on growing hemp in the United States is locking American farmers and innovators out of good-paying jobs and countless ways to profit from this versatile plant,” Wyden said. “We are going to stay at this. It’s simple: American farmers should be able to grow hemp legally once again in the United States.”

“I am proud to once again join with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to recognize Hemp History Week,” McConnell said.Ěý “With the Commonwealth’s rich history of hemp and the efforts being done today, I believe that industrial hemp can be a viable commodity for the future of Kentucky and the nation.”

“Industrial hemp has had a long and productive history in the U.S., and it’s time to revive that history now for the 21st Century,” Merkley said. “Outdated policies should not stand in the way of our American farmers growing a crop that is already used to make products sold all across the U.S.”

“I am thrilled by the passing of thisĚýresolution,” Paul said. “Allowing farmers in Kentucky and throughout our nation to cultivate industrial hemp and benefit from its many uses will grow our economy and bring new jobs to the agriculture industry.”Ěý

The senators introduced the Industrial Hemp Farming Act in 2015 to lift federal restrictions on growing industrial hemp in the United States. The bill would remove hemp from the Schedule I controlled substance list under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, lifting the current legal restrictions on the plant as long as it contains less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

They are working to reintroduce the bill this year.

Oregon and Kentucky are among thirty-one states that have removed barriers to growing industrial hemp. However, the federal ban on growing hemp still forces farmers in states that allow industrial hemp research and pilot programs to get waivers from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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