State Fact Sheet for New Hemp Businesses
INTRODUCTION
The federal legalization of Hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill was the result of a long-fought journey. States have been a part of that journey. As of February 2020, state legislatures have taken action to establish state-licensed hemp programs in at least 47 states. The incredible growth of hemp is drawing the attention of a diverse group of investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. In this activity, you will create a summary fact sheet aimed at new entrepreneurs interested in getting into the hemp industry in your state. (Louisiana)
To help get you started, read/listen to the following:
Read Vazquez article: “The Farm Bill Legalizes Hemp and Hemp CBD"
Read State Industrial Hemp StatutesLinks to an external site.
Read State Hemp Laws Links to an external site.- Here you will find an interactive map for state hemp laws. Find your state and investigate its status. (Louisiana)
Listen to Hemp: What is All the Hype Transcript Download Transcript[PDF, 242 kb]
Hemp: What is all the Hype?
Segment 1: What is Hemp?
Segment 1: What is Hemp Links to an external site. [audio, 04:01 minutes]
Segment 2: The Legal Structure of HempLinks to an external site. [audio, 05:02 minutes]
Segment 3: Challenges of the Hemp Industry Links to an external site. [audio, 06:42 minutes]
Segment 4: The CBD ExplosionLinks to an external site. [audio, 05:55 minutes]
Segment 5: "The FDA Cloud": Getting the CBD Explosion Under ControlLinks to an external site. [audio, 04:03 minutes]
INSTRUCTIONS
Create a fact sheet that addresses and includes the following:
What is the historical path that was taken to get to the point your state is at currently?
What are the likely next steps?
How does this information help you get to where you want to go in the industry or what are the causes of the roadblocks or challenges?
This fact sheet should include usable information that directs new business owners to the appropriate resources. You are encouraged to be creative and realistic in the presentation
Sample Fact Sheet linked
State Fact Sheet for New Hemp Businesses
Students Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course Code and Name
Instructors Name
Date
State Fact Sheet for New Hemp Businesses
Historical Path to Hemp Legalization in Louisiana
Hemp legalization in Louisiana involves a combination of state and federal regulations. Here is an overview.
Federal Legalization (2018 Farm Bill): The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act. This federal legalization provided the initial framework for states to establish their hemp programs. However, the hemp programs were only practiced by the authorized institutions or parties.
Louisiana Legislation (2019): Building on the federal momentum, Louisiana swiftly enacted state legislation in 2019 to align with the Farm Bill's provisions. This laid the foundation for a state-licensed hemp program. The program allowed authorized parties to grow hemp for various purposes such as medicinal, paper production and other industrial products. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) was tasked with developing and overseeing the hemp program in Louisiana (Our Organization | Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, n.d.).
Initial Licensing (2020): In 2020, the LDAF began accepting applications for hemp cultivation, marking the official start of Louisiana's hemp industry. This was a significant milestone for aspiring hemp entrepreneurs. Following this regulation, interested parties would visit the LDAF, and make the necessary applications to qualify for a license. This was in accordance with the Industrial Hemp law signed by Governor John Bel Edwards.
Likely Next Steps
As the Louisiana hemp industry continues to evolve, here are the likely next steps:
Market Expansion: The state should expect an increasing demand for hemp-derived products such as CBD oil, textiles, and industrial materials. New business opportunities will emerge as market demand grows. This will increase the number of entrepreneurs venturing in the industry.
Research and Development: Continued research into hemp cultivation techniques, processing methods, and product development will be essential for the industry's success. The research ...