By Gregory J. Gamalski
Hemp and marijuana both come from the cannabis sativa plant but as a result of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the “2018 Farm Bill”), cannabis sativa with a THC content of less than 0.3% was removed from the federal controlled substance definition of "marijuana" and was classified as "hemp.” The plant has been used since colonial times and even earlier for a variety of industrial and agricultural purposes, including for fibers such as those used in rope and cordage, fabric, oil from its seeds, building material, and even as a biofuel. Of late, chemical byproducts of hemp, mainly the non-psychoactive substance known as CBD, are offered and sold as medications and food supplements by national retail chains. Furthermore, hemp seeds are now processed as food additives, baking flour, protein supplements, and other nutritional uses. All of this is allowed on the generally sound assumption that the psychoactive properties of legalized hemp are below effective psychoactive levels. Hemp THC content cannot be more than 0.3% by dry weight.
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