Government

The 2023 Farm Bill – What Could Change for CBD, Hemp-Derived Delta-8 and 9 THC, and FDA Regulations?

Published

3 years ago

August 6, 2022

Industry Professionals urge Congress to regulate CBD and hemp-derived compounds in 2023 Farm Bill. What will the FDA do on CBD in food? Will psychoactive Delta-8 and 9 derived from hemp be banned nationally or will the new 1% THC limit help that market explode to new heights? Inquirig minds want to know!

Since the inception of the hemp industry four years ago, one thing that has continued to impact the market negatively is the FDA’s inaction in regulating hemp-derived cannabinoids and products.

In 2018, the United States legalized the cultivation, possession, and sales of hemp through the Farm Bill. Subsequently, the USDA laid down regulations for hemp production; however, the 2018 legislation is set to expire by 2023. (The legislature has to renew the bill every five years). This means the FDA prevented a significant growth in the hemp industry by failing to regulate hemp-derived compounds. Stakeholders in the industry, as well as concerned advocates, are trying to avoid this from happening again when the bill is amended in 2023.

The Upcoming 2023 Farm Bill

On July 2, a hearing titled ‘An Examination of the USDA’s Hemp Production Program’ was held by congress to explore the various ways the 2018 bill could be upgraded for hemp production to improve by 2023. At the meeting were the House Agriculture Subcommittee members, Eric Wang—CEO of Ecofibre and U.S. Hemp Roundtable (USHR) Vice President, and Ryan Quarles—Kentucky’s commissioner of Agriculture.

At the hearing, Wang and Quarles spoke. about the FDA’s lack of regulations for CBD and hemp-derived compounds, as well as how it was hurting the industry. Both urged the committee members to include a much-needed language in the 2023 Farm Bill to automatically regulate CBD and several other hemp-derived products. This way, the industry would have no reason to wait on the FDA. The majority of the attendees at this crucial hearing agreed with their point of view.

During his testimony, Quarles stated that the Food and Drug Administration’s tardiness in putting together a set of rules and regulations for hemp cannabinoids, especially cannabidiol, is disappointing. The supply chain in the hemp industry needs clear direction from the FDA regarding hemp-derived products before actors can develop and manufacture beneficial CBD-related compounds. This is currently a grey area; hence many business leaders are unwilling to make a move. This has resulted in very little demand for harvested hemp plants and materials.

When the 2018 Farm Bill was approved, Congress assured the public that it would support the cultivation and sales of hemp plants and hemp-derived compounds. This announcement spurred thousands of farmers in the U.S. to cultivate hemp on a medium and large scale. Hundreds of thousands of acres were utilized for this, only for the FDA officials to announce that it is illegal for indigestible hemp compounds to be sold. These public statements by the FDA took a mighty toll on the industry, as CBD commerce and investments resulted in losses. Since then, the industry has been chilled due to a lack of favorable policies at the federal level.

Jim Baird, Ranking Member Representative, commented that the FDA is yet to have a framework to regulate hemp-derived cannabinoids. He stressed that Congress has heard various recommendations for the amended bill and promised to continue discussing these great proposed solutions.

Chairwoman of the committee, Stacey Plaskett, wholeheartedly agreed that the FDA’s inaction had to be rectified in the next few months.

More Concerns Due To The FDA Inaction

Many people, including Wang, have warned that the FDA’s inaction further endangers millions of Americans. Poorly regulated CBD products put people’s safety and health at risk. In the last months, there has been an increase in the number of hemp products advertised as intoxicating. Consumers rarely research further on these products before buying and consuming them.

Wang rightly stated that farmers are not the only ones suffering from this regulatory uncertainty. Customers are impacted as well. Unsavory individuals mislead consumers by making false claims on product labels and selling products without the necessary precautions.

To make matters worse, affected farmers and business leaders have started producing and selling intoxicating products like Delta-8 THC. The U.S. Hemp Roundtable noted that many issues in the industry are more complicated than ever. Even minors are at risk.

With a clear regulatory pathway for CBD by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the economic pressure for the ongoing product shit will be relieved. This clear policy will guarantee that harmful hemp materials containing psychoactive compounds do not find their way into the market.

Next Steps…

Based on the report issued after the hearing, in the next few months, congress will be taking steps to incorporate CBD regulatory policies into the 2023 Farm Bill. This will regulate all non-toxic compounds derived from hemp as dietary supplements. In addition to this, Rep Chellie Pingree would be making similar provisions in his proposed Hemp Advancement Act.

Wang explained that both measures are absolutely necessary to limit the hemp product pathway to safe, non-toxic materials.

On the other hand, Quarles recommends taking into account a number of the Hemp Advancement Act’s crucial clauses, most importantly raising the overall THC limits for raw hemp material from 0.3 percent to 1.0 percent and eliminating the requirement that testing facilities register with the DEA. He believes raising the federal definition of hemp plants is the most appropriate step for the federal government. He also noted that the proposed 1.0% limit should include every THC isomer which has been found to have toxic effects on users, including delta-9, delta-8, delta-9, HHC, and delta-10.

BOTTOM LINE

The future of the hemp and CBD industry depends on the decision that will be taken in the coming months. By adopting a “total THC” criterion rather than a “delta-9 THC alone” standard, a threshold that more accurately reflects the substance’s genuine intoxication potential will be created.

Like Quarles rightly said, in the coming years, we should expect moderate growth in the number of acres planted, at least until the FDA establishes the legal framework for CBD and other non-intoxicating cannabinoids. Wang concluded that clear regulatory guidance for CBD would assist in building the positive momentum needed to see the U.S. reclaim its position as the world leader in industrial hemp.

Source: https://cannabis.net/blog/news/the-2023-farm-bill-what-could-change-for-cbd-hempderived-delta8-and-9-thc-and-fda-regulations

Corruption

Vigilance Arrests Officials After Bribery Complaints at Supply Office

Published

2 weeks ago

January 11, 2026

Jon Tru

HARIDWAR, Uttarakhand — Officials from the Dehradun-based Vigilance Department have arrested Haridwar District Supply Officer Shyam Arya and two other employees on charges of accepting a bribe of ₹50,000, authorities confirmed. The arrests took place during a planned operation after investigators laid a trap at the District Supply Office in response to repeated complaints from the public.

According to vigilance sources, the accused were caught “red-handed” while receiving the alleged bribe, reportedly demanded in exchange for official services within the department. The operation, coordinated from the state capital of Dehradun, underscores the department’s commitment to tackling corruption.

Complaints That Triggered the Operation
The arrests followed months of complaints alleging that officials at the Haridwar District Supply Office were routinely soliciting illegal payments for government services. These included the issuance of ration cards, approvals for licenses, and other administrative clearances under the public distribution system.

Vigilance officials said preliminary verification of the complaints indicated a recurring pattern rather than isolated incidents. Following this assessment, the department used a standard anti-corruption tactic of laying a trap to obtain direct evidence of bribe solicitation and acceptance.

Inside the Supply Office
After the arrests, vigilance teams established a presence inside the office, sealing parts of the premises while examining files and records. Investigators are reviewing documentation related to recent approvals and transactions to determine whether the alleged bribery was systemic.

The accused are also being questioned to identify potential accomplices and to ascertain whether accepting bribes was a routine practice. Officials noted that the investigation could expand depending on findings from the document review and interrogations.

A Broader Anti-Corruption Push
The case has drawn attention across Uttarakhand’s administrative machinery, particularly within the Supply Department, which plays a vital role in delivering welfare services. Vigilance officials said the arrests reflect a “zero-tolerance” approach toward corruption and warned that similar operations will continue wherever credible complaints arise.

The state’s anti-corruption drives have intensified in recent months, emphasizing both deterrence and accountability. While the investigation in Haridwar remains in its early stages, officials say it highlights the risks faced by public servants accused of exploiting their positions and the growing willingness of enforcement agencies to act on citizen complaints.

Business

A Tipping Point for Cannabis: President Trump Champions CBD & Cannabis Science on Truth Social

Published

2 months ago

November 16, 2025

Jon Tru

When the President of the United States shares a video about the life changing potential of hemp derived CBD on his personal social media platform, it is more than news, it is a cultural shift.

For decades our government lied to us about cannabis. It demonized the plant, waged war on its users, and filled prisons while allowing pharmaceutical companies to flood the nation with addictive and deadly drugs. For over a century we have been fighting uphill, not just for legalization, but for truth, for science, and for the right to heal ourselves naturally.

Now in 2025, the most powerful political figure on Earth is using his own voice and platform to talk about the endocannabinoid system and the science backed benefits of CBD. That is monumental. It is validation for everyone who has fought, been arrested, been silenced, and been dismissed for telling this truth. The President’s video post is already being described as a pivotal moment in cannabis history, and President Trump CBD Cannabis Science Truth Social is trending across platforms as advocates celebrate the breakthrough.

The Science Behind the Endocannabinoid System

The video begins by introducing something most people, including many doctors, still know little about, the endocannabinoid system. Discovered in the 1990s, the ECS is a network of receptors and signaling molecules that works as the body’s master regulator, coordinating communication between major systems like the nervous, immune, cardiovascular, and digestive systems.

The roots of this discovery go back much further. CBD was first isolated in 1940 by American chemist Roger Adams, but it was Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli organic chemist, who fully elucidated the chemical structure of CBD and identified its stereochemistry in the 1960s. His pioneering work not only opened the door to modern cannabinoid science but also earned him the title “Godfather of Cannabis Research.” It was this foundation that led to the identification of the endocannabinoid system itself decades later, revealing how cannabinoids interact with our physiology on a fundamental level.

The ECS is now widely recognized as a vital part of human biology, with extensive research supported by the National Institutes of Health. When functioning properly, the ECS acts like the conductor of an orchestra, ensuring every section plays in harmony. As we age, the system weakens. That imbalance is linked to inflammation, chronic pain, cognitive decline, sleep problems, and many other conditions associated with aging.

Mainstream medicine often addresses these issues with pharmaceutical band aids, dangerous and addictive drugs that treat symptoms rather than root causes. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise help, but they only partially support the ECS and do so slowly over time.

Hemp Derived CBD: A Game Changer for Aging

Here is where the science gets exciting. As the video explains, the ECS can be restored much more quickly with hemp derived CBD. Strengthening this system naturally helps the body regain balance, reducing pain, improving sleep, lowering stress, slowing disease progression, and even extending healthy lifespan.

It is not theoretical. One in five seniors is already using CBD to manage pain, arthritis, cancer symptoms, sleep disorders, Alzheimer’s, and more. Despite decades of research and acknowledgment from institutions like the National Institutes of Health, most physicians receive no training on the ECS. There are still no FDA standards for CBD products on the market. If that were the case for any other class of medicine, it would be considered malpractice.

The World Health Organization has confirmed CBD’s excellent safety profile and non addictive nature in its critical review report. The result is that millions of older Americans are suffering unnecessarily when a safe and natural solution exists.

Hemp derived CBD is a powerful first step in restoring balance to the endocannabinoid system, but it is only part of the picture. Research shows that full spectrum cannabis extracts, which include a broader range of cannabinoids and terpenes, can work even more effectively. Complete concentrated cannabis oil, containing the full spectrum of natural endocannabinoids, may deliver the most profound results for certain patients. Expanding access to these therapies will be essential if we want to unlock the full healing potential of this plant.

The Economic and Social Impact

The video cites a powerful figure. A PricewaterhouseCoopers analysis estimates that fully integrating cannabis into the healthcare system could save the United States nearly 64 billion dollars annually. These savings reflect reduced pharmaceutical dependency, fewer hospitalizations, improved chronic disease outcomes, and enhanced quality of life for aging Americans. You can read more about PwC’s research on healthcare innovation here.

It is a financial argument, but it is also a moral one. Why should our elders endure pain, anxiety, and cognitive decline when nature has given us tools to help them live longer, happier, and healthier lives?

A Call to Action: Finish What the Farm Bill Started

The message concludes by crediting the 2018 Farm Bill, championed by President Trump, for legalizing hemp and laying the groundwork for today’s CBD market. The Farm Bill was just the first step.

Now the call is for bold next moves.

Educate doctors about the endocannabinoid system
Include CBD under Medicare coverage
Provide clear federal standards for CBD quality and dosing

These steps would constitute the most significant senior health reform in modern history, one that would transform aging and cement a powerful legacy for any administration that makes it happen.

What This Means for Future Cannabis Medicine

For those of us who have been in the cannabis community for decades, this is not just another news story. It is a signal that our movement is winning. A conversation that was once criminalized and censored is now being amplified by the President of the United States on his own platform.

It means the science is undeniable. It means the truth can no longer be buried. It means the wall of prohibition is cracking, not just legally, but culturally, scientifically, and politically.

It also means that everything we have been fighting for at 420 Magazine since 1993, education, access, healing, and justice, is finally moving full steam ahead. The President Trump CBD Cannabis Science Truth Social moment is proof that science and policy are finally converging.

Business

New Mexico cannabis operator fined, loses license for alleged BioTrack fraud

Published

2 years ago

October 29, 2023

ghsGFsre564

New Mexico regulators fined a cannabis operator nearly $300,000 and revoked its license after the company allegedly created fake reports in the state’s traceability software.

The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) accused marijuana manufacturer and retailer Golden Roots of 11 violations, according to Albuquerque Business First.

Golden Roots operates the The Cannabis Revolution Dispensary.

The majority of the violations are related to the Albuquerque company’s improper use of BioTrack, which has been New Mexico’s track-and-trace vendor since 2015.

The CCD alleges Golden Roots reported marijuana production only two months after it had received its vertically integrated license, according to Albuquerque Business First.

Because cannabis takes longer than two months to be cultivated, the CCD was suspicious of the report.

After inspecting the company’s premises, the CCD alleged Golden Roots reported cultivation, transportation and sales in BioTrack but wasn’t able to provide officers who inspected the site evidence that the operator was cultivating cannabis.

In April, the CCD revoked Golden Roots’ license and issued a $10,000 fine, according to the news outlet.

The company requested a hearing, which the regulator scheduled for Sept. 1.

At the hearing, the CCD testified that the company’s dried-cannabis weights in BioTrack were suspicious because they didn’t seem to accurately reflect how much weight marijuana loses as it dries.

Company employees also poorly accounted for why they were making adjustments in the system of up to 24 pounds of cannabis, making comments such as “bad” or “mistake” in the software, Albuquerque Business First reported.

Golden Roots was fined $298,972.05 – the amount regulators allege the company made selling products that weren’t properly accounted for in BioTrack.

The CCD has been cracking down on cannabis operators accused of selling products procured from out-of-state or not grown legally:

Regulators alleged in August that Albuquerque dispensary Sawmill Sweet Leaf sold out-of-state products and didn’t have a license for extraction.
Paradise Exotics Distro lost its license in July after regulators alleged the company sold products made in California.

Golden Roots was the first alleged rulebreaker in New Mexico to be asked to pay a large fine.

Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/new-mexico-cannabis-operator-fined-loses-license-for-alleged-biotrack-fraud/