U.S. hemp group gets $19.6 million to implement innovative conservation practices

The National Hemp Association (NHA) has been awarded $19.6 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA ) to lead a project aimed at protecting the Chesapeake Bay Watershed through climate-smart hemp farming.

The initiative, which will see hemp cultivated on up to 5,000 acres annually, employs practices such as contour farming, crop rotation, cover cropping, nutrient management, and no-till farming – methods that can reduce nutrient runoff, pesticide contamination, and soil erosion while improving the overall health of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

The funding is from USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which connects public and private partners to implement innovative conservation practices. The RCPP is designed to address critical conservation challenges such as water quality, soil health, and wildlife habitat protection, making it a perfect fit for the NHA’s goals in the Chesapeake Bay region.

U.S. hemp group gets $19.6 million to implement innovative conservation practices

Missouri: NORML Affiliate Questions State Regulators’ Decision to Permit Toxic Additive in Certain Cannabis Products

Missouri: NORML Affiliate Questions State Regulators’ Decision to Permit Toxic Additive in Certain Cannabis Products

The Missouri state affiliate of NORML is publicly questioning why newly adopted regulations explicitly allow for elevated levels of the potentially toxic additive vitamin E acetate in state-authorized cannabis products, including vape cartridges.

In 2019, the US Centers for Disease Control identified vitamin E acetate as a toxic additive most likely responsible for the EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), which resulted in dozens of deaths nationwide and nearly three thousand hospitalizations. Unregulated vape cartridge producers had been using the oil to thicken the consistency of their e-liquids and to mask dilution. Following the outbreak, many states explicitly banned any use of vitamin E acetate in legal cannabis products.

Nonetheless, Missouri regulators recently raised the allowable limit for vitamin E acetate in state-authorized cannabis products from 0.2 parts per million to 5 parts per million.

Missouri NORML is pushing back on regulators’ decision. In a recently published op-ed, Missouri NORML Coordinator Dan Viets, who also currently serves as NORML’s Board Chair, wrote: “Vitamin E acetate does not naturally occur in organic cannabis. If it is there, it is [present] only because someone has intentionally put it into the product. The addition of this product is usually for the purpose of increasing the marketability of the product by giving it a greater viscosity. Vitamin E acetate should never occur in any amount in a legal and regulated cannabis product.”

Viets added, “There appears to be no rational explanation for why the state of Missouri would dramatically increase the amount of a very toxic substance in legal cannabis products when none of it whatsoever should be present in them.”

NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano also added: “Given what we know about this additive and its role in the EVALI public health crisis, there is no rational basis for this decision. The advantage of a state-regulated market is to provide consumers with product purity and safety. This decision greatly undermines these public health goals.”

Additional information is available from Missouri NORML or by contacting Dan Viets at (573) 819-2669 or danviets@gmail.com.

https://www.tumblr.com/stlhandyman/758822183662419968/missouri-hikes-allowable-amount-of-vitamin-e

AAFCO Approves Hempseed Meal for Laying Hens - National Hemp Association

On August 7th, 2024, the Hemp Feed Coalition (HFC) achieved a historic success as the full Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) membership approved the Ingredient Definition for Hempseed Meal (HSM) for Laying Hens. This federal approval represents a monumental moment for the hemp industry and a leap forward in animal nutrition. This is a critical first step in opening the door to widespread use of hemp grain in animal feed.

Hempseed Meal is not just another feed ingredient; it’s a powerhouse of nutrition. Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and a complete protein profile—including all 20 amino acids and the nine essential ones—HSM offers unparalleled benefits for laying hens. Research has shown that incorporating HSM into a hen’s diet significantly improves egg quality. Hens fed with hempseed meal lay eggs enriched with essential fatty acids like ALA, DHA, and GLA, which are vital for promoting human health.

The approval process was no small feat. It involved years of rigorous evaluations, detailed correspondence with the FDA-Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM), and careful consideration by the AAFCO Ingredient Definition Committee. This victory is thanks to the relentless efforts of the Hemp Feed Coalition and its partners.  Their commitment to recognizing the value of hemp as a feed ingredient has been instrumental in achieving this success.

For farmers, the approval of Hempseed Meal provides a new avenue for crop rotation and farm flexibility, offering a nutritious and sustainable alternative to traditional feed sources like soy and canola. The nutritional benefits extend beyond the farm, as consumers will soon have access to eggs that are not only delicious but also nutritionally superior.

From left to right: HFC Executive Director, Morgan Tweet; HFC President, Andrew Bish; AAFCO Ingredient Definition Committee Chair Erin; HFC Board Member Bill Bookout

This milestone is just the beginning. The Hemp Feed Coalition remains dedicated to expanding the authorization of hemp seed products across a wider range of animals. As we look to the future, advocating for FDA and state-level approvals for hemp-based feed ingredients for pets and other non-production animals will be crucial in promoting agricultural diversity and sustainability.

The approval of Hempseed Meal for Laying Hens is more than just a win for the hemp industry—it’s a step towards a more resilient, diverse, and environmentally conscious agricultural future. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to champion the integration of hemp into all aspects of animal nutrition.

AAFCO Approves Hempseed Meal for Laying Hens - National Hemp Association

Lack of processors leaves hemp industry out to dry

Lack of processors leaves hemp industry out to dry https://t.co/lWyAssQalm

— Scotty (@StLHandyMan) July 8, 2024

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