Hemp Under Siege: State Bans And Farm Bill To Be Discussed On Sept. 30

Governor Gavin Newsom‘s emergency ban on hemp-derived THC products officially took effect on September 16, halting the sale of various hemp items across California. 

This sweeping measure threatens to eliminate up to 90-95% of available hemp products, leaving patients, farmers, manufacturers and retailers grappling with financial uncertainty.

• Get Benzinga’s exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter here. You can't afford to miss out if you’re serious about the business.

Listening To Both Sides

In light of the ban, the upcoming webinar, “The Hemp Derivatives Advocates,” hosted by Pablo Zuanic, senior analyst at Zuanic & Associates, offers a chance to hear both sides of the story. 

Scheduled for September 30, 2024, at 2:30 PM ET, the event features speakers including Christopher Lackner (President/CEO, Hemp Beverage Alliance), JD McCormick (Chairman, American Healthy Alternatives Association), and Jonathan Miller (General Counsel, US Hemp Roundtable).

Read Also: Federal Health Agencies Must Take Stronger Role In U.S. Cannabis Policy Shift, New Report Says

Key Discussion Topics

The upcoming webinar will address several critical topics in the hemp industry, including the legality of psychoactive hemp derivatives at the federal level and updates on state regulatory changes and enforcement. 

Participants will discuss whether there is a state blueprint for hemp regulations or if blanket bans prevail. Experts will also share insights on the next Farm Bill, differentiating between "good" and "bad" actors in the industry, and evaluating the competitive landscape between hemp operators and THC cannabis producers. 

Finally, the conversation will touch on Senator Wyden's proposed legislation and its implications for the future of hemp.

Z&A SPACES WITH HEMP ADVOCATES: We are hosting a Spaces on Monday 9/30 at 2:30pm ET with three leading advocates for hemp derivatives. Yes, we are big supporters of the U.S., Canadian, and ROW THC cannabis industry, of course, but we also think it is important to be informed… pic.twitter.com/O2Hj2aAeOW

— Pablo Zuanic (@420Odysseus) September 26, 2024

Participants can join via Zoom or watch live on X Spaces (@420Odysseus).

Read Next: Kentucky Moves Closer To Medical Cannabis Rollout With First License Awarded To Testing Lab