If you’ve been in the cannabis industry for a while, you know how monumental the 2018 Farm Bill update was for the community. However, legislators are set to update the US Farm Bill every five years, and 2024’s update may see some major impacts on the industry we know today.
For your knowledge and safety (as well as ours), let’s time to take a closer look at the 2024 Farm Bill updates. Will it impact hemp products? Will it impact THC isomers and their legality?
Let’s find out.
What is the US Farm Bill?
As a whole, the Farm Bill is a piece of legislation that covers a wide array of agricultural and food-related programs in the United States.
The bill covers topics ranging from conservation efforts and agricultural regulations to research and development and, of course, hemp regulation.
The Farm Bill is instrumental because it directly impacts farmers, consumers, and the overall economy by shaping the agricultural landscape and ensuring food security in the US.
It also is a key player in the legalization of the hemp-derived cannabis products we see on the market today.
The Farm Bill 2018 Update
As we mentioned, legislators are meant to update the Farm Bill every five years. The 2018 update is when the country saw the legalization of hemp and hemp-derived products that contain 0.3% THC or less by weight.
Since then, the hemp industry has absolutely thrived. Companies have found various ways to skirt the regulations of the Farm Bill, allowing for the production of hemp-derived products that contain hefty amounts of THC — just not more than 0.3% by weight, technically.
However, organizations like the DEA have picked up on these loopholes and begun expressing concern over the explosion in popularity of hemp-derived THC isomers like THCO and HHC.
Now, this concern is directly reflected in the 2024 Farm Bill updates. Let’s talk about them.
2024 Farm Bill Updates and Their Impact on Cannabis
The 2024 Farm Bill updates were introduced late this year after experiencing a one-year extension that left the current 2018 Farm Bill expired.
The updates in the hemp section of the Farm Bill were meant to clarify regulations and ambiguities for consumers and business people.
However, they’re creating a lot of concern within the industry, as well. Here’s why.
Hemp Updates
The 2024 Farm Bill revisits the definition of hemp, expanding its regulatory framework to close loopholes that have emerged since the 2018 legislation.
Hemp remains legally defined as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis, but the new bill shifts the focus from delta-9 THC to “total THC,” encompassing all variants such as tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA).
This change ensures a more comprehensive evaluation of a plant’s psychoactive potential, addressing concerns over products that previously exploited these loopholes.
Not only are legislators working to redefine THC thresholds, but the bill limits the use of hemp in the production of cannabinoid derivatives, too.
This measure is designed to steer industrial hemp back to its original purpose — agricultural and industrial applications like textiles, paper, and biofuel — while preventing its misuse for creating intoxicating products.
However, as we know, these intoxicating products are now a huge portion of the industry, and getting rid of this section may have some serious implications.
Let’s discuss how this may impact THC derivatives specifically.
What this Means for THC Derivatives
As you know, products like hemp-derived THCa, THCO, HHC, and delta-8 THC are currently some of the most popular options — especially in markets where cannabis isn’t legal or is difficult to obtain.
However, the 2024 Farm Bill update may make obtaining those products just as challenging as delta-9 THC.
The language of the bill explicitly prohibits the use of harvested hemp material to create both natural and synthetic intoxicating cannabinoids.
Theoretically, then, this means manufacturers will no longer be able to extract or synthesize compounds like delta-8 THC from hemp for commercial sale, banning the production and sale of intoxicating products derived from hemp.
The Future of Online Hemp Products
Now, don’t panic just yet. These regulations have not been set, and many big players in the industry are expressing concern over these updates.
Most likely, you’ll still be able to access all of your favorite online hemp products for a while. However, there’s a chance that things may change in the way they are advertised, or even how potent they are.
For now, it’s important to keep a close eye on the 2024 Farm Bill updates to see where they go. Keep in touch with your favorite brands and find out if the changes will affect them in any way.
No matter what, it’s important to remember that the industry goes through ebbs, flows, changes, and updates practically every day. The 2024 Farm Bill updates are just another part of that.
Safety and Security of Getting a Medical Marijuana Card With Elevate Holistics
If you want to experience the utmost safety and security surrounding your plant-based medicine, getting a medical marijuana card is the best way to do it.
Having an MMJ card means gaining employee protection in your state, as well as paying a lot less money on products. This is because medical marijuana patients are typically exempt from most taxes, and they get medical-only discounts at dispensaries.
While you await the impact of the 2024 Farm Bill updates, ease your anxieties and sign up for a medical marijuana card with Elevate Holistics instead.
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