A Q&A with Accela’s Director of Cannabis Regulation Judy Steele

Hemp is an emerging market that is priming itself for an aggressive U.S. expansion. After the 2018 Farm Bill, that officially legalized hemp at the federal level, growers and distributers are planning to unleash a wave of new products and services. What this means for governments is a new regulatory landscape fueled by an unprecedented demand. There are more than 25,000 products globally that use hemp and these products touch many industries. Hemp can be used in automotive parts, furniture, textiles, construction supplies, cosmetics and in food and beverages — without the psychoactive qualities of traditional marijuana…. Continue reading

Tags: cannabis, hemp regulation, judy steele, hemp, hemp growth

The legalization of hemp at the federal level will provide new opportunities for food products and medications but also brings new regulatory challenges

Just before the close of 2018 the cannabis industry locked in another major victory with the passage of the Farm Bill that will, among other policy measures, legalize hemp cultivation and compel state and local governments to regulate a market estimated to hit $20 billion by 2022. The implications of the bill for local governments are significant, as it brings opportunities for additional revenues via business licensing and sales tax revenues, but also the inherent technical and political challenges found in regulating a new market…. Continue reading

Tags: cannabis regulation, regulating cannabis, hemp regulation, hemp regulation policies, hemp legalization, 2018 Farm Bill