Hoban Law Group Partners with the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) to Launch a Nationwide Hemp Is Legal Campaign.

When the President signed the 2018 Farm Bill in December, which legalized industrial hemp for all intents and purposes, the federal government permanently removed industrial hemp from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), resolving any lingering doubts.

However, this sweeping law has caused a great deal of confusion among government agencies who, as a general rule, struggle with change. Federal agencies, such as FDA and USDA, are undergoing reviews and rulemaking with respect to hemp and hemp-derived products. A flurry of state legislatures are enacting new or amended state laws concerning hemp and more are expected to do so in early 2020. Yet, there remain instances of isolated state and/or local enforcement activity towards lawful hemp. “We are in the midst of a very important, but steep, learning curve for both industry and regulators alike. We expect even greater clarity in the remainder of 2019 and in 2020, upon agencies and legislatures implementing more detailed regulations, providing even greater certainty for all,” noted Garrett Graff, Managing Attorney of Hoban Law Group.

In the meantime, there is a lot of confusion in the marketplace about whether hemp is legal, whether it is a controlled substance, whether it is the same as marijuana, and/or whether it could be sold and produced across the United States. This confusion has reached local and state law enforcement as well as the commercial marketplace. “This campaign is intended to set the record straight about hemp in the United States,” said Director of Business Development Halston Puchek.

It is necessary for people to understand that hemp is not a controlled substance and that it is no longer considered an illegal plant. In part, this education works to ensure hemp operators are availed of customary ancillary business services – banking, financing, payment processing, insurance, and web marketing. Consumer demand for hemp products has reached an all-time high and continues to grow. As such, it is critical that people understand that hemp is not marijuana. And that manufacturers, retailers, law enforcement, and consumer product outlets understand that hemp is a legal and viable commercial product – simply another agricultural commodity.

As a result, it is our intention, our burden, our duty to inform the American public that it is now legally part of the new globalized hemp economy.

Please visit HempIsLegal.org to learn more.

About Hoban Law Group

Hoban Law Group is the first U.S. based law firm to expand its cannabis industry services across the globe, with attorneys in the European Union, Latin America, and beyond. Since 2009 HLG has been providing professional services to the cannabis industry, which is comprised of the international hemp and regulated marijuana marketplace.

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