MjLink Cannabis Business News and Press

North Dakota Rep. Jason Dockter has sponsored an adult-use cannabis legalization bill, despite his opposition to legalizing cannabis in the state, according to The Dickinson Press.

Dockter believes legalization is inevitable as more states regulate cannabis within their borders, the news outlet reported, and says lawmakers should draft a legalization proposal instead of leaving the issue in the hands of a ballot initiative campaign.

North Dakota voters approved medical cannabis legalization in 2016, but rejected a 2018 measure that would have legalized adult-use.

Legalize ND backed a 2020 campaign to get adult-use legalization in front of voters last year, but ultimately refocused its efforts on the 2022 election after the COVID-19 pandemic largely derailed its signature gathering efforts.

Dockter’s House Bill 1420 would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess and transport up to one ounce of cannabis or an equivalent amount of edible cannabis products, The Dickinson Press reported. Cultivators and dispensaries would be licensed under the bill to produce and sell cannabis products, according to the news outlet, and the state Health Council would ultimately establish rules to regulate these businesses.

New York, New York - January 26, 2021 - PRESS RELEASE - Green Check Verified (GCV), a regtech provider of compliant cannabis banking solutions, has announced a partnership with Laika, an enterprise-ready compliance platform, to provide financial institutions with an extra layer of compliance oversight in the rapidly-growing cannabis banking space. 

Legal in 37 states, of which GCV is currently operating in 22, this $13B industry is of particular interest to banks and  credit unions looking for low cost deposit growth, increased fee revenue and strong commercial partnerships with local business owners. As financial institutions increasingly capitalize on this huge market opportunity, GCV’s partnership with Laika will help streamline its own internal compliance and security programs, providing additional assurance for all Green Check clients and partners.

"Having led vendor risk management for one of the largest financial institutions in the world, I am in a unique position to help fast growing technology companies build scalable security practices," said Eva Pittas, founder of Laika. "We're excited to be working with Green Check Verified - their seasoned team of entrepreneurs coupled with its innovative regtech platform will be pivotal for FIs looking to enter the legal cannabis banking space."

“At GCV, everything we do is hyper-focused on compliance,” said Kevin Hart, CEO of Green Check Verified. “We continue to identify ways to reduce risk and allow FIs to bank cannabis confidently and securely. By partnering with Laika, we are not only leveraging our internal regulatory technology expertise, but banks and credit unions will benefit from having the additional oversight from a third-party vendor, adding an extra layer of compliance associated with cannabis banking.”

Laika is an enterprise-ready compliance platform that enables growing companies to compete on the same level as any large organization. The collaboration between Laika and GCV empowers financial institutions entering the highly regulated industry of banking cannabis to satisfy internal vendor due-diligence requirements. Board and examiners are increasingly demanding that cannabis programs not only satisfy specific regulations but that individual firms showcase they are a fully compliant vendor, from top to bottom.

DENVER, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PRESS RELEASE -- GrowGeneration Corp., a national chain of specialty hydroponic and organic garden centers, has announced the acquisition of Indoor Garden & Lighting, a two-store chain of hydroponic equipment and indoor gardening supply stores serving the Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., area. The company will be consolidating its current Seattle operation into the acquired stores. This acquisition brings the total number of GrowGen hydroponic garden centers nationwide to 40 stores.

"We're thrilled to kickstart 2021 with our acquisition of Indoor Garden & Lighting, which boasts a strong commercial customer base and a talented team of grow professionals," said Darren Lampert, GrowGeneration's CEO. "This deal expands our footprint in the Pacific Northwest and puts us in close proximity to Tacoma's large commercial operators. With the addition of Indoor Garden & Lighting, we expect Washington's thriving adult-use market to generate annual revenues of $10 million for GrowGen."

Founded in 1995, by Mike Long, Indoor Garden & Lighting has operations in Tacoma and Mountlake Terrace. GrowGen plans to close its current Seattle storefront and consolidate it with Indoor Garden & Lighting's Mountlake Terrace location. GrowGeneration also plans to operate out of Indoor Garden & Lighting's 10,000-square-foot warehouse in Tacoma. As part of the deal, Long and his team of cultivation experts will join GrowGeneration. 

The Indoor Garden & Lighting acquisition is the company's first acquisition this year, and follows yet another quarter of record earnings. Earlier this month, the company pre-announced fourth-quarter revenues of $61.5 million, bringing full-year 2020 revenue to $192 million, up 140% from 2019. Same-store sales increased 63% for full-year 2020, compared to the previous year. The company also raised its 2021 revenue guidance to $335 million-$350 million, and raised its 2021 adjusted EBITDA guidance to $38 million-$40 million. GrowGen plans to have 55 garden center locations by the end of 2021.

LEAMINGTON, ON, Jan. 26, 2021 /CNW/ - PRESS RELEASE - Aphria Inc., a global cannabis-lifestyle consumer packaged goods company, has announced the addition of topicals to its award winning adult-use brand Solei. Known for its occasion-based offerings, our Solei Topicals will join a range of other formats currently available, including whole dried flower and pre-rolls, smoke-free oils, oral sprays, soft gels, and vapes.

Solei is the first brand from Aphria's portfolio to enter the topicals market with its lineup including three of its popular Moments: Unplug (Lavender), Balance (Orange Citrus), Free (Cucumber Mint) and Free Unscented. Solei Topicals have been carefully formulated to provide consumers with the highest potency topical currently available in the Canadian market (500mg of cannabinoid per container) and a superior texture comparable to a premium non-infused cream - rich to the touch. 

"Adding topicals to our Solei brand product line up is a natural expansion, and an exciting format offering for Aphria. Topicals are one, if not the most, accessible cannabis format available today, making it appealing to a large segment of consumers," said Irwin D. Simon, chairman and chief executive officer of Aphria Inc. "We are listening to the needs of our consumers. The team worked hard to create a cream with a range of premium scents, providing a compelling and relevant product for consumers."

Solei Balance and Unplug topicals are currently available online and in select retail stores across Ontario and will be rolling out in other markets in the coming months. Solei Free and Free Unscented topicals will be available in select markets starting February 2021.

Solei Topicals will be available in the following variants:

Free Unscented – 500mg CBD Free (Cucumber Mint) – 500mg CBD Balance (Orange Citrus) – 250mg THC, 250mg CBD Unplug (Lavender) – 350mg THC, 150mg CBD

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has filed proposed emergency regulations with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) to implement Assembly Bill 1525, which became law in September to provide the state’s licensed cannabis businesses broader access to financial services.

The new law provides a safe harbor for banking institutions doing business with cannabis companies and essentially makes it easier for cannabis businesses to start relationships with banks.

A five-day public comment period on the proposed rules began Jan. 22, according to a CDFA press release, and written comments must be mailed, emailed or faxed to both the OAL and the CDFA:

U.S. Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) has reintroduced the Marijuana 3-to-1 Act to federally reschedule cannabis, as first reported by Marijuana Moment.

Stuebe’s proposal, which is identical to a measure he put forth last session, would move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Although rescheduling would lift the burden of tax code 280E and make cannabis research easier, per Marijuana Moment, the move would not end federal prohibition entirely.

Los Angeles, CA -- January 25, 2021 -- PRESS RELEASE -- GKUA Ultra Premium, the cannabis brand co-founded by Lil Wayne, the artistic giant and connoisseur of cannabis, has announced that its cannabis products and strains will be available across Colorado in select dispensaries starting on Jan. 27.

"GKUA is about inspiring people, it’s about a feeling. Now Colorado will get to experience the quality and potency of that GKUA,” said Lil Wayne.

GKUA Ultra Premium first launched December 2019 in California. GKUA Ultra Premium flower is sourced from the most experienced growers, who produce strains that are very limited and incredibly potent with some of the highest natural levels of THC available. GKUA partnered with award-winning Harmony Extracts, in Colorado to bring these potent, terpene rich strains, along with incredible oils, live sauces and live concentrates to the state.

“We are thrilled to bring GKUA Ultra Premium to our third state,” said Beau Golob, president and co-founder of GKUA Inc. “Harmony is known for their incredible portfolio of cannabis products. They are the perfect partner for GKUA in Colorado. Their cultivators and expert lab teams know exactly what specific qualities, purity and potency are needed to produce GKUA products. Colorado is the oldest adult-use market in the U.S., and we’re excited to bring an ultra-premium product to customers who know and appreciate quality.”

The Products

EDMONTON, AB, Jan. 21, 2021 /CNW/ - PRESS RELEASE - Aurora Cannabis Inc., a Canadian cannabis company, has announced that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by BMO Capital Markets and ATB Capital Markets, under which the underwriters have agreed to buy on bought deal basis 12,000,000 units of the company at a price of US$10.45 per unit for gross proceeds of approximately US$125 million. Each unit will be comprised of one common share of the company and one half of one common share purchase warrant of the company. Each warrant will be exercisable to acquire one common share of the company for a period of 36 months following the closing date of the offering at an exercise price of US$12.60 per warrant share, subject to adjustment in certain events.

The company has granted the underwriters an option, exercisable at the offering price for a period of 30 days following the closing of the offering, to purchase up to an additional 10% of the offering to cover over-allotments, if any. This option may be exercised by the underwriters for additional units, common shares, warrants or any combination of such securities.  

The net proceeds of the offering will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include opportunistically reducing debt. The company believes that the offering fits with its broader strategy to have a strong balance sheet while maintaining maximum flexibility to invest and build towards being a leader in global cannabinoids.

The closing of the offering is expected to take place on or about Jan. 26, 2021 and will be subject to customary conditions, including approvals of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.

A prospectus supplement to the company's short form base shelf prospectus dated Oct. 28, 2020 will be filed with the securities commissions or securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) as part of the company's registration statement on Form F-10 under the U.S./Canada Multijurisdictional Disclosure System. The Prospectus Supplement, the Base Shelf Prospectus and the Registration Statement contain important detailed information about the company and the proposed offering. Prospective investors should read the Prospectus Supplement, the Base Shelf Prospectus and the Registration Statement and the other documents the company has filed for more complete information about the company and this offering before making an investment decision.

New York legalized medical cannabis in 2014 and started its formal marketplace with only five licensed operators in the state.

The limitation on the number of licensed operators made it difficult for medical cannabis to make a notable impact in the state.

 

"As the author of the original Compassionate Care Act, which is the medical program, I'm not surprised that it hasn't had that great of an economic impact, simply because the governor at the time was not a big fan," New York State Sen. Diane Savino said of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has been in his executive role since 2011. "He was very skeptical about legalizing cannabis for medical purposes and he was greatly concerned that the program could lead to all sorts of problems, but he's obviously changed his position since then."

Savino said that the program's original limitations created restrictions on a whole host of things—most importantly, patient access.

With only 20 operating medical dispensaries in a state with over 19 million people, it is no surprise that there was limited patient access at first. Since 2016, it has been expanded to 10 license holders, with 40 dispensaries statewide, she said.

Among other things, the 2020 U.S. election cycle ushered in another wave of cannabis legalization.

Five states—Arizona, Montana, Mississippi, New Jersey and South Dakota—voted in favor of legalizing cannabis in some form, adding to an already growing list of 33 states and further demonstrating that attitudes are becoming more progressive and less taboo.

The advertising industry is eager to do its part to ensure this billion-dollar business can thrive to its fullest potential. However, the barriers to entry are significant. Many media channels, particularly online, still will not accept cannabis ads.

With options limited, brands have turned to out-of-home (OOH) advertising, which has enjoyed a disproportionately large percentage of the cannabis advertising share. Nearly half of all ad spend to promote cannabis businesses went to this sector in the first four months of 2020. To place this into context, the industry average share for OOH is just 4%.

RELATED: In the Face of Restrictions and Limited Channels, Cannabis Marketers Turn to Out-of-Home Advertising–Here’s the Right Way to Do It

This week, lawmakers in New Mexico, Virginia and Connecticut set to work considering adult-use cannabis legalization proposals, while a Nebraska lawmaker introduced legislation to legalize medical cannabis. Elsewhere, in Massachusetts, a group of dispensaries has sued the state over its new delivery regulations.

Here, we’ve rounded up the top 10 headlines you need to know before this week is over.

Federal: A diverse group of North America’s cannabis cultivation and manufacturing experts has announced that they have come together to form the Sustainable Cannabis Coalition (SCC). The SCC will work proactively with industry cultivation and manufacturing peers and vendors to promote proven sustainability best practices that can be implemented at scale across the cannabis market. Read moreNebraska: Sen. Anna Wishart has introduced legislation to legalize medical cannabis in the state after supporting a medical cannabis ballot initiative that was ultimately rejected by the Nebraska Supreme Court for violating the state’s single subject rule. Wishart has also introduced a constitutional amendment to clarify the single subject rule and help eliminate uncertainty for future ballot initiative campaigns. Read moreNew Mexico: Democrats in the state legislature are planning an adult-use cannabis legalization proposal as the state’s 60-day legislative session kicks off. Although the legislature has failed to pass adult-use legalization bills the past two years, voters did not reelect some more conservative Democrats who opposed the issue in the 2020 election, and lawmakers now see a path forward for policy reform efforts. Read moreCalifornia: Vertically integrated cannabis operator Harborside has announced the departure of Chief Operating Officer Greg Sutton, effective Jan. 15. Peter Bilodeau is now the company’s interim CEO. Read moreThe California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA), a statewide nonprofit that promotes the growth of a responsible and legitimate cannabis industry, is offering its members exclusive access to banking through the North Bay Credit Union (NBCU). CCIA’s 400 cannabis industry members will qualify for membership in the credit union and access to banking services such as checking accounts, online bill payment, wire transfers and ACH processing, and employees of CCIA members are also welcome to join as individual members of the credit union. Read moreArizona: Beginning Jan. 21, the Arizona Marijuana Industry Trade Association (MITA) will offer a free, weekly, virtual course for prospective social equity applicants looking to enter the state’s forthcoming adult-use cannabis industry. MITA’s course will focus on specific aspects of Arizona’s medical cannabis program and the cannabis industry more broadly, while welcoming speakers from in and around the industry. Read moreColorado: Colorado-based, cannabis-focused payroll and HR solutions company Wurk has announced the passing of its founder and CEO, Keegan Peterson. “Keegan will be remembered for his fierce advocacy in the cannabis space and the company he built to support the industry that he cared about deeply,” the company’s executive chairman, Scott Kenyon, wrote in a letter announcing Peterson’s death. Read moreMassachusetts: A group of cannabis dispensaries is suing the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) over the state’s new delivery rules, arguing that the regulations, which allow only social equity applicants to receive cannabis delivery licenses for the first three years, violate state law. The Commonwealth Dispensary Association filed the lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court Jan. 13 to ask the court to declare the regulations invalid. Read moreVirginia: The Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Subcommittee voted this week to approve an adult-use legalization bill, advancing it to the nest committee for consideration. The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Adam Ebbin and Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas, and backed by Gov. Ralph Northam. Read moreConnecticut: Gov. Ned Lamont has introduced a draft bill to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state, following an announcement in his Jan. 6 State of the State address that he is making legalization a priority this year. Lamont’s administration is currently seeking feedback on the legislation, and it remains to be seen whether Lamont will incorporate the proposal into his state budget, which is due to lawmakers next month. Read more

Curaleaf CEO Joe Bayern puts focus on opportunities in growing marketplace. 

To have the biggest footprint, one must lace up the biggest shoe. 

In the cannabis industry, multistate operator Curaleaf spent the past five years building itself a massive network with a 23-state foundation, and has no plans on slowing down as it continues to acquire licenses and increase capacity. Based out of Wakefield, Mass., the vertically integrated company’s operation includes 96 dispensaries, 23 cultivation sites and more than 30 processing sites.

This past July, Curaleaf closed on an approximately $700-million deal to acquire Grassroots Cannabis, making it the largest cannabis company in the world, based on its anticipated $1 billion annual revenue at the time. 

Based out of Wakefield, Mass., Curaleaf operates in 23 states with 96 dispensaries, 23 cultivation sites and more than 30 processing sites. 

With that groundwork established, Curaleaf is now gearing for its next wave of growth by putting focus toward executing on that platform, said new CEO Joe Bayern, who started his role Jan. 1.  

“One of the things that’s tied to my transition into the new role is going and looking at what we’re calling Curaleaf 2.0, which is really the next growth spurt for Curaleaf,” he said.

Purpose underlies Simply Pure’s expansion into the business model that is synonymous with company names like McDonald’s and Taco Bell.

“Simply Pure will continue as being a dispensary model that we’ll be looking at franchising across the U.S. and working with social equity partners to be able to give them a turnkey operation,” said Wanda James, Simply Pure’s CEO and owner.

It’s all part of an effort to welcome people of color, women and veterans into the industry as owners and support their success, said James, who herself is Black, a woman and a former Naval Intelligence officer. More than 10 years ago, James founded the Denver-based cannabusiness with her husband, chef and restaurateur Scott Durrah. It has since grown into a formidable operation with cultivation, dispensary and manufacturing verticals.

RELATED: Wanda’s Way

Just as McDonald’s has been able to provide an existing business structure, products and brands that franchisees use for their stores—and in turn, create generational wealth—James said the goal with Simply Pure’s franchise model is the same.

Tentative locations include California, Illinois, Massachusetts and Texas, she said.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has introduced a draft bill to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state, according to The CT Mirror.

Lamont announced during his Jan. 6 State of the State address that legalization is a priority this year, and his administration is currently seeking feedback on the draft legislation, although it remains to be seen whether Lamont will incorporate the proposal into his state budget, which is due to lawmakers next month, The CT Mirror reported.

Lamont’s proposal would tax dry cannabis at $1.25 per gram, trimmed cannabis plants at $0.50 per gram and wet cannabis at $0.28 per gram, according to the news outlet, and would also levy a 6.35% sales tax on adult-use sales. A 3% surcharge would also be added, with part of these funds going to local municipalities.

The draft bill also includes expungement provisions, The CT Mirror reported, which would automatically clear convictions for the possession of less than 4 ounces of cannabis that occurred before Oct. 1, 2015, as well as allow those convicted after that date to petition the state for expungement.

The legislation also includes marketing limitations to ensure youth are not targeted in cannabis advertising, as well as increases the number of trained drug recognition experts in state and municipal police departments, according to The CT Mirror. The draft bill would also update Connecticut’s Clean Air Act to include cannabis and vaping within the state's existing restrictions on secondhand smoke, the news outlet reported.

A Virginia Senate panel approved an adult-use cannabis legalization bill Jan. 20, advancing it to the next committee for consideration, according to a local WRIC report.

The Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Subcommittee voted 4-3 to approve the legalization measure, which is sponsored by Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) and Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), and backed by Gov. Ralph Northam.

The legislation, as proposed by Northam, would allow adults 21 and older to legally purchase cannabis starting in 2023, and would establish a regulatory framework overseen by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and a seven-member Cannabis Control Advisory Board, WRIC reported.

At an initial hearing Jan. 19, the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Subcommittee recommended creating a new, independent agency to oversee an adult-use cannabis market in the state, according to the news outlet, and recommended delaying the proposed 2023 launch six months to a year to allow more time to establish regulatory oversight.

The bill now advances to the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee for consideration, WRIC reported.

TORONTO, Jan. 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PRESS RELEASE -- Unifor and Aleafia Health Inc. have entered into an exclusive 10-year agreement to support union members, retirees and their eligible dependents who receive medical cannabis insurance coverage through Unifor’s collective bargaining agreements.

"Unifor members across the country deserve access to the benefits of medical cannabis coverage through their benefits. As a union, we will support our local bargaining committees to add this coverage where possible," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

The agreement supports a historic breakthrough in access to legal cannabis in Canada.

Aleafia brings unique national scale, organization and expertise to provide union members, retirees and their eligible dependents with access to medical cannabis product insurance reimbursement and physician-led cannabinoid therapy.

“This agreement will provide thousands of union members and their families with improved and affordable access to medical cannabis care, and ultimately be one of the largest breakthroughs in patient access since the early days of legalization in Canada,” said Geoffrey Benic, Aleafia Health CEO. “Our dedicated team of medical professionals and program managers are excited to begin working directly with Unifor members and launching this program.”

We’ve highlighted four names from the group President Biden has chosen to shape federal policy under his administration and analyzed what each of their selections might mean for cannabis.

The new administration has been sworn in, the Senate gavel has been passed to the Democrats, and the country’s leadership is almost fully set. One major step remains: the Cabinet nomination and approval process.

As we saw from the previous administration, Cabinet members can have a massive impact on the direction of the country, especially as it relates to cannabis policy. With a thin Democratic majority in Congress and a longtime moderate in the White House, the battle for fair cannabis laws is far from over.

Advocates are now looking to Biden’s Cabinet for clues on how the incoming administration will handle cannabis laws. Like the president they’ll be working under, the group doesn’t have a strong positive or negative stance on the plant. But taking a closer look at the previous records of the cabinet members announced so far can provide clues as to what we can expect from the incoming executive branch on cannabis laws.  

Attorney General: Merrick Garland

Before 2021, Garland was best known for being President Obama’s nominee to replace Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court of the United States in 2016. After his Senate hearing was blocked by Republicans, Garland became an early symbol of the kind of Trump-era partisanship that still divides the country today. It appears Garland will get the chance to serve at the highest level of the federal government, but in a different branch: Biden announced his nomination as AG in the first week of January.

Garland, a Democrat who served as Washington, D.C.’s chief judge from 2013 to 2020, hasn’t come out directly against or in favor of cannabis. The closest definitive opinion was in 2013, when the industry trade group Americans for Safe Access sued the Drug Enforcement Administration in an effort to remove cannabis from Schedule I. Garland was one of three D.C. federal judges who ruled in favor of the DEA, on the grounds that they were the ones who had done the research. “We’re not the scientists. They are,” he said during the case’s 2012 hearing.

When Mike Howard, director of cultivation at The Grove, first caught word of the record-breaking cannabis yields being harvested regularly by fellow grow teams around the country (Lume Cannabis in Michigan and Green Life Productions in Nevada) he knew the game was changing. Once Howard dug deeper into the news, he discovered a common catalyst behind the success of his peers: Both facilities were actively growing under the A3i LED grow light from Fohse. 

After hearing firsthand from the grow teams in Michigan and Nevada how they had increased yields over HPS by 31% and 100% respectively, Howard knew he had to get Fohse lighting into The Grove—and fast!

The Grove, a vertically integrated cannabis business with dispensary, cultivation, distribution and production licenses, has been producing, sourcing and selling high quality edibles, cartridges and recreational cannabis products since 2015. Their 26,600-square-foot growing and production facility is state-of-the-art and eco-friendly. They strive to recreate the conditions that cannabis would find in nature and use only all-natural growing media and inputs as well as biological measures to control any pests or diseases. It only makes sense then that they would seek out and select Fohse products—the best lighting fixtures in the business—to match The Grove’s exacting standards.

The dry Las Vegas air makes for a challenging indoor growing environment for cannabis. Fohse fixtures operate at much cooler temperatures than standard HPS fixtures.

At The Grove, this means that the humidifiers and cooling systems don’t have to work as hard, and that an equilibrium between temperature and humidity level can be more easily achieved and maintained. This has led to some of the record harvests being seen regularly at The Grove.

Looking at how Fohse’s A3i 1500-watt fixtures compare to standard 1000-watt DE HPS fixtures in an “apples to apples” comparison reveals just how in sync these intelligent fixtures are with cannabis. The numbers from a recent, late fall harvest tell an impressive tale:

On Jan. 15, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) released a final rule on hemp based on its previous set of regulations that drew public comments from nearly 6,000 people.

The latest set of regulations makes several highly requested changes to the interim final rule (IFR) that are seen as favorable to both hemp producers and regulators.

Still, contentious aspects of the IFR remain, but some industry members are hopeful there is still time to amend them.

“Overall, the final rule’s contents in some ways show progress and demonstrate the USDA has looked into the industry as part of its public comment process,” Garrett Graff, managing partner of Hoban Law Group, tells Hemp Grower. “In another way, the final rule remains stagnant.”