2023 Farm Bill Extension – Federal and Local

Hey there, cannabis enthusiasts! Welcome back to the RESTART blog. I’m Shayda, the Co-Founder of RESTART, and today we have an important topic to discuss, the 2023 farm bill expiration and what it means for the hemp industry, and specifically for brands like ours, selling the products you know and love. So grab your favorite hemp derived product, and let’s dive in. First, let’s talk about what happens when a farm bill expires. In short, when a farm bill expires, it doesn’t mean that all the laws regulating the industry suddenly disappear and it’s a free for all. Instead, it initiates a period of uncertainty and potential changes in regulations. The 2023 farm bill played a crucial role in the legalization and regulation of hemp derived products, including CBD, Delta 8 THC, and now hemp derived Delta 9 THC.

It provided clear guidelines for hemp cultivation, defining it as cannabis with less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC on a dry weight basis and this allowed for the legal production and sale of hemp based products across the United States. However, with the expiration of the 2023 farm bill, there’s a risk of losing these clear regulations. State laws might continue to govern hemp and CBD and other cannabinoids, but the lack of federal oversight could lead to inconsistencies and legal challenges. Now, let’s discuss the concept of filing an extension. In the world of legislation, an extension is like hitting the pause button. When congress files an extension, it means they’re giving themselves more time to work on a new farm bill or amend the existing one. So, while the 2023 farm bill expired, an extension was filed on November 15 of 2023 to keep the current regulations in place while they work on a new bill, extending the current farm bill till September of 2024.

This can provide some stability and continuity for the industry. Now let’s talk about the impact of the 2025 presidential election. Presidential elections can have significant implications for cannabis policy. Depending on who takes office, we could see different approaches to cannabis legalization, regulation, and enforcement. If a candidate with a pro-cannabis stance wins, it might lead to more progressive cannabis policies at the federal level. On the other hand, a candidate with a different perspective could slow down or even reverse the progress we’ve made. So, in conclusion, the expiration of the 2023 farm bill doesn’t mean a free for all in the cannabis industry.

But, it did create a bit of uncertainty, and filing the extension can provide temporary stability. And the outcome of the 2025 presidential election will play a crucial role in shaping the future of cannabis policy. So stay tuned for more updates on cannabis legislation — and don’t forget to share this video with a friend to help educate others on the ever evolving cannabis landscape. Thanks again for joining me today, and as always, stay informed and empowered on your canna-curious journey. We’ll see you next time for another cannabis educational blog post from RESTART!