All we need is Trump's signature for hemp to be legal everywhere in the U.S.

In a previous article, In this issue, we explain in greater depth the details of the Farm Bill, which includes the famous amendment to legalize hemp. Congress approved the final version yesterday. All that's missing now is Trump's signature to make hemp legal everywhere in the United States. If he signs the document, legalization will take effect on January 1.

A consensus in Congress

After months of debate on the many aspects of the Farm Bill, Congress has agreed on a final version that includes the legalization of hemp. It will be able to be cultivated without restrictions throughout the country, up to a limit of 0.3% of THC, and will be placed under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture like any other agricultural resource. However, individual states will be able to submit their own plans for its regulation. Inter-state and international trade will be possible, as will trade in CBD. extract hemp.

The Senate approved the bill by 87 votes to 13 on Monday. Yesterday, the House of Representatives did the same by 369 votes to 47. Even Pete Sessions, known as a fervent opponent of cannabis who blocked the reforms during his tenure on the Lower House Law Committee welcomed the vote: «This is an important agricultural resource that will help farmers a lot,» he said. By mutual agreement, the two chambers then sent the document to President Trump's desk, who must sign it or oppose it within 10 days. The law was passed relatively quickly before the end of the legislative session scheduled for December 21. Some see this as a sign of the President's willingness to sign the document and give the industry the green light as early as January 1.

An almost certain signature

According to Washington insiders, Trump's signature is almost certain. Throughout the Farm Bill debate he was very enthusiastic and has consistently stressed the importance of this legislation. Indeed, as the Farm Bill touches on much broader issues than the legalization of hemp, the latter is not decisive in the signing of the document. However, hemp has enormous economic potential, and will boost farmers' incomes and growth through the parallel creation of a unified market for hemp. the CBD industry estimated at billions of dollars in the years to come.

Given that Trump's electorate is largely made up of farmers, it's unlikely that he would deny them this complementary resource that has the power to boost the country's agricultural economy. Indeed, it was in this spirit that the hemp amendment was introduced by Mitch Mc Connell, Senator from Kentucky, an agricultural state seeking to convert its tobacco production. Mitch Mc Connell is also the Senate Majority Leader, and as such he affixed his signature to the bill to confirm that it had been sent to the President. To mark the occasion, he did so with a hemp pen. «I'd be delighted to lend him my pen for the occasion».» he joked talking about Donald Trump.

At a time when farm income is down and growers are struggling, industrial hemp is a bright spot of agriculture's future. My provision in the Farm Bill will not only legalize domestic hemp, but it will also allow state departments of agriculture to be responsible for its oversight

- Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) December 11, 2018