Reaping Rewards from the Farm Bill

You’ve heard about it here, there and everywhere: the farm bill passed at the end of 2018. But what does the bill actually say, and what does it mean for Onyx & Rose? What does it mean for you?

The Basics of the 2018 Farm Bill

Let’s break the bill down a little. In a nutshell, the farm bill removes all cannabis fiber products – like the 100% organic, American-grown hemp we use – from the list of controlled substances defined in the Controlled Substances Act. This means it’s now federally legal to grow hemp. However, the bill doesn’t legalize marijuana.

Here’s What the Farm Bill Does Do

The farm bill allows for the cultivation and cross-state transfer of products derived from hemp for commercial or personal purposes.

It additionally removes restrictions around the sale, transport, or possession of hemp-derived products as long as the products are being legally produced.

The bill also has some restrictions around who, how and when hemp can be grown:

• To be protected, hemp cannot contain more than 0.3 percent THC. That’s because, according to the bill, if a plant contains more than that threshold of THC, it’s considered non-hemp cannabis under federal law. Any non-hemp cannabis doesn’t get protection under the law.

• Section 10113 of the farm bill dictates that state departments of agriculture are required to consult with their state’s governor and chief law enforcement officer to come up with a written plan for how they’re going to regulate hemp. That plan then has to be submitted to the Secretary of USDA, and it can only be set in motion after the plan is approved. But states can opt out of creating their own plan, too. In these cases, the USDA will create a stand-in regulatory program that requires hemp farmers to apply for licenses and remain compliant with federal standards.

• The bill outlines violations of federal hemp law, which include things like growing hemp without a license or farming cannabis that contains more than 0.3% THC.

So What About CBD?

The bill makes CBD legal, but under specific circumstances.

The farm bill states that any cannabinoid derived from hemp will be legal, but – and this is the kicker – only if that hemp is produced in a way that’s consistent with the bill, compliant with federal and state regulations, and cultivated by a licensed grower.

Great news: Onyx & Rose is all of the above.

The bill also dictates that any other cannabinoids produced in a non-compliant setting are still considered Schedule I substances under federal law, making them illegal. An important exception to this rule are pharmaceutical-grade CBD products with FDA approval, but that’s a short list. In fact, it currently only contains one product: GW Pharmaceutical’s Epidiolex.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to CBD and government regulations, there’s still a lot of room for growth. But with the passing of the 2018 farm bill, we’re one step closer to helping more people all over the world through the benefits of CBD.

And it means that you get to continue to experience the benefits of Onyx & Rose CBD, made from 100% organic, American-grown hemp without stress or worry.