U.S. Farm Bill oks hemp

The United States Farm Bill which has just passed the Senate and House of Representatives opens the door for cannabis production, mainly for fibres, but also for also for cannabidiol (CBD).

CBD has been used for medicinal purposes, as a skin conditioner and in cosmetics, among a number of other uses.

The cannabis that has been legalized by the Farm Bill cannot have more than 0.3 per cent Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which gives users a high.

Some Canadians think legalization in the U.S. is giving them a head start in developing markets there.

However, researchers at Purdue University in Indiana warn that no pesticide residues are allowed because none are registered for use to grow hemp.

If they find pests or disease damaging hemp crops, there are no pesticides that are considered safe or legal to protect them, caution the researchers.

Janna Beckerman, a biology professor at Purdue, said “it can take many years for manufacturers to prove the safety and efficacy of their pesticides, and many more to get all the federal approvals. In the meantime, our hands are tied.”

Oh, cry me a river! It's a weed.