In April 2018 Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell officially announced his support of federally legalizing agricultural hemp with the introduction of his Hemp Farming Act of 2018. Senator McConnell understands the deep economic impact of the hemp crop in his home state, Kentucky, and across the nation, so when the time came to insert the language into the 2018 Farm Bill, McConnell jumped on the opportunity.
The Senate Agricultural Committee met in early June to approve the addition of the Hemp Amendment into the 2018 Farm Bill, but not without a minor hiccup, made by Senator Grassley (R-IA).
Senator Grassley Demands Regulation Against CBD Oil
Senator Grassley of Iowa attempted to derail the Hemp Farm Bill Amendment by excluding CBD oil and cannabinoid oil from the definition of hemp, but fortunately, other legislators and constituents, refused his attempts.
Senate Agricultural Committee Approves Hemp Legalization Language in Farm Bill
On Wednesday, June 13th, the Senate Agricultural Committee approved the 2018 Farm Bill at a 20-1 vote, which includes subsidies, food stamps and now has been an extremely important bill in removing barriers to hemp regulations. Like the 2014 Farm Bill, Senator McConnell placed his Hemp Farming Act of 2018 language into the 2018 Farm Bill.
Senator Grassley was the sole "no" vote, but his decision was not due to the hemp language, but rather the subsidy program.
Senator McConnell's goal is to have the entire Senate vote on the Farm Bill before the July 4th recess.The House of Representatives will still need to pass the House Farm Bill before the Bill can pass.
