Right now there are four trending stories in the CBD cannabidiol industry. Below we’re covering each the main events you should know about.
Terravidaonline.com sells CBD with ZERO THC:
A well-known retailer and CBD wholesaler, Terravidaonline, will now enable retailers across the US to sell CBD with ZERO THC. This is thought to help the industry overcome peculiarities in certain states where federal law is flouted. The company produces non-GMO certified products from superior plant genetics – and is a vocal proponent of high-quality CBD isolate, from the exact supplier Industrial Hemp Partners (IHP). The best-selling CBD product in the US at present, is CBD tinctures.
Sustainable CBD Farming
The unavoidable mass commercial agriculture of marijuana needed for the rising demand in CBD products will unequivocally be contributing to climate change. Independent farmers are feeling that the involvement of major companies is forcing them to change their farming methods in a way that will be detrimental to the environment.
The three methods used to cultivate cannabis include:
- a) hydroponically grown indoor plants
- b) greenhouse plants that get a combination of sun and artificial light or just rely on sunlight, or
- c) outdoor plants that rely on sunshine and rainwater.
There are other hybrids and growing methods of which the latest to hit the news is Hyasynth Bio who are growing cannabinoids in a laboratory out of yeast.
Indoor cannabis plants and some greenhouse cultivations consume massive amounts of energy in order to simulate an artificial daylight cycle and they need to be irrigated. These methods are used for intensive farming and yield at a faster rate, but often at a cost to the health of the consumer and the sustainability of the environment. There are also issues concerning the use of pesticides by farmers who insist on cutting corners.
Supporting the ideals of sustainable environment Californian growers seem worried about the Canadian company Cannasaurus Rex’s growing interest in the Emerald Triangle growing region. The local farmers are campaigning to make consumers in their region more aware and to think about who grows their cannabis and how it is grown.
Meanwhile, Canndescent’s CFO Tom DiGiovanni has vowed that the company will accelerate the adoption of solar power and “green door” practices within the cannabis industry and that they are about to release a white paper during the second quarter of 2019.
Georgia passes a bill legalizing hemp farming
Signed by Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday, the new bill allows farmers to legally grow hemp in Georgia. Even though CBD oil is popular in the state, they have had to rely on imports from other states until now. The hemp growing license to be issued by the state will cost farmers $50 per acre annually. Many argue that this was not even a necessary law given that federal law is already in place.
Besides CBD oil, the hemp plant is used for the manufacture of other products, including rope and fabric.
With the signing of House Bill 213, Georgia now joins the other 41 states that have hemp programs. In a separate measure signed by Kemp, cultivation and the sales of medical marijuana oil, containing up to 5% THC is allowed for registered patients.
Travelling by air? It may be best to leave your CBD oil at home:
Even though CBD is now legal across the U.S.A. and people are using it for all types of ailments, federal laws and confusion at airports render it a substance best left out of your carry-on luggage.
The news that there has been a spike in the number of travelers at the Dallas- Fort Worth airport that have been intercepted for CBD possession is leading to consumer confusion. Some of the incidents at the Dallas airport have resulted in felony charges and it is still unclear if the same thing has happened at any other airports in the country.
Legal experts advise that even though the 2018 Farm Bill has legalized hemp cultivation in the U.S. it doesn’t mean that there are no restrictions to the derivatives of the plant. Therefore, the bill does not offer consumer protection, leaving the legality of its consumption open to individual interpretation.
This lack of clarity is what may cause problems at airports as the authorities responsible have no means of knowing if the product is pure CBD oil and if it contains THC. Since consumers cannot always be aware of the amount of THC in their product, they may end up paying the price for the hidden content of their supplement.
International travelers need to know what the laws are in the country of their destination, while those entering the U.S. need to be aware that the possession of THC could lead to felony charges and deportation for noncitizens.
For those travelers taking CBD to calm their anxiety of flying, they need to just patiently wait for the federal cannabis law to be settled before taking their supply on board with them for flights within the U.S.
