The hemp industry in New York will see a change in regulations due to the new cannabis law. This will cause changes to the hemp rules and the industry overall. The hemp industry in New York will see a change in regulations due to the new cannabis law.
The change leaves questions unanswered about the future of hemp extracts like CBD. Some hemp operators may switch over the high-THC side of the market.
The law will be the first attempt to regulate hemp operators who work with flower and cannabinoid products the same way the state oversees marijuana operators. There will be a new category for cannabinoid hemp. A new agency, The Office of Cannabis Management will regulate hemp operators.
The National Hemp Association is showing praise for this move by New York. He says that their plan to centralize regulations for all cannabinoid extracts like CBD and THC is like one-stop shopping.
Currently, operators are regulated by the department of health, department of ag, department of justice, and the attorney general. This is a step to streamline the regulations to a few agencies designed to solely regulate cannabis and hemp.
Hemp or Marijuana?
This new law will potentially encourage hemp flower producers to look into joining the marijuana production industry.
Under the new law both crops will be regulated and taxed similarly. Now there won’t be any incentive for hemp producers to solely focus on low-THC flower production. Because there is a lot of similarity between growing hemp for its cannabinoid content that excludes THC and growing it for the THC content.
Path Forward for CBD
Under the new law adults, 21 and over will again be able to smoke hemp. But it will limit sales to dispensaries. The new cannabis management board might come up with additional safety protocols for smokable hemp products in the future.
Last year the New York State Health Department proposed multiple rules for making and selling hemp-derived CBD. But the rules have yet to take effect. Now they may be under the purview of the new Office of Cannabis Management. People are still waiting for the final regulations.
Make sure to check back for more cannabis and hemp related news.