Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced “Hemp Farming Act of 2018” on Thursday that would remove federal barriers to hemp.

The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 aims to establish hemp as an agricultural commodity, protect state regimes, add crop insurance, and bolster research. And right off the bat, the bill puts to rest any questions about whether those hemp-derived CBD-rich extracts are indeed legal:

“The term ‘hemp’ means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.”

The bill, if successful, would end the debate that has picked apart the hemp plant in piecemeal and end interpretations that hemp-derived extracts rich in cannabinol and other cannabinoids are illicit substances. This would permanently legalize hemp removing it from the purviews of the Controlled Substances Act.

The bill is also backed by Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). A companion bill has been introduced in the House.

On Thursday the House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conway released details on H.R. 2, the Agriculture & Nutrition Act of 2018 (Farm Bill).  It is Virginia Farm Bureau’s understanding that the bill will be marked up next Wednesday, April 18th at 10:00 a.m.

Introduction of the 2018 Farm Bill is a critical first step in getting a Farm Bill done this year.

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American farmers are already facing low commodity prices and the uncertainty of a ‘trade war’ drives prices even lower hurting farmers and ranchers and rural communities.  Commodity prices will fall as both sides ratchet the trade dispute upward.

China continues to add more agricultural products to its target list which includes beef, cotton, pork, nuts and soybeans to receive tariffs up to 25 percent.  Soybeans and cotton are our top two ag exports to China.

Tell our Trade Representative to negotiate on behalf of America’s farmers and ranchers to reduce tariffs and to open markets for our products!

Comments are being accepted through May 11 and we need your voice to make sure Farm Bureau members are heard loud and clear in the process.

Go to FBadvocacy.org to submit comments.

Offering premier leadership development for Virginia’s largest industry, VALOR (Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results) is a two-year program for adults in agriculture who want to develop their communication, problem-solving, and critical- thinking skills, as well as broaden their knowledge of global and local agriculture, in order to become an advocate for agriculture and an industry leader.  Applications are due April 30.

Governor Northam has appointed Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Dr. Bronaugh is an accomplished leader in the agriculture community, in government, and in higher education.  She brings many years of experience in administrative governance and collaboration from her public service in state and federal government.

After several years teaching, Dr. Bronaugh joined Virginia Cooperative Extension where she served in a variety of leadership roles, including Associate Administrator. During her tenure, she developed lasting partnerships with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Tech, the Virginia Department of Forestry, USDA Rural Development and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

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