Massachusetts Call To Action

Amendment #166 MA Hemp Industry Survive and Thrive rewrites MGL 94G 12(f) to open up market access and a new channel of revenue for both Massachusetts hemp producers and Massachusetts marijuana companies. [THREAD]

Currently, it is illegal for a company licensed by the Cannabis Control Commission to source hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoid products from an MDAR-licensed hemp producer.

This gap in legislation is only hurting local MA businesses and allowing out-of-state and non-compliant companies to dominate the market while our local farms and businesses suffer. We need this simple legislative fix to allow MA hemp farmers to sell into the MA marijuana market.

This gap is not as prevalent in states that legalized marijuana AFTER the 2018 Farm Bill. We are simply seeking to fix this oversight.

Hemp products are subjected to identical testing parameters as marijuana in MA.

This bill would bolster & promote growth for small farmers & processors while expanding access to less psychoactive and more therapeutic product options for medical patients and adult-use customers.

The language of the amendment mandates that hemp and hemp derivatives must be sourced entirely within the Commonwealth, providing a much needed market outlet for small farmers and small business.

As stated above, MDAR already asks that hemp processors & manufacturers utilize identical testing parameters as marijuana (we are directed to the CCC's regulations on the matter) so there is no disparity in product testing and safety.

When MA legalized MJ in 2016, they also legalized "hemp", which is Cannabis sativa just like marijuana, when the 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized hemp and hemp derivatives, CCC licensees were no longer allowed to process hemp in the same facilities.

Allowing the hemp industry to supplement the MJ industry in MA will not only proliferate the hemp industry by providing a saving grace in terms of market outlets, but will also allow for more robust options in dispensaries including minor cannabinoids...

...like CBN, CBG, CBD, CBC, etc that have great benefits without the "high" of THC.

Currently, MA hemp farmers are without an outlet for hemp flower, the raw smokeable buds that are dominant in CBD or CBG and less than 0.3% THC, it is not allowed to be sold to retail consumers in state.

This would fix that.

The outlet would be age gated 21+ (18+ for medical) so this isn't expanding access to cannabis products for the non-initiated, just allows for these products to be sold in a safe environment where staff can properly educate on the effects and properties.