Farm Bill frees hemp

With the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress released hemp from the shackles of its decades-long controlled substance classification. The landmark legislation unleashes the potential of the market for hemp and hemp-derived products like CBD. Over the next five years, the industry is expected to enjoy a combined annual growth rate of 18.4 percent. Read more at Hemp Business Journal …

Facebook mistakenly removes hemp-related pages

The social media company shut down pages across the U.S. and U.K., claiming—falsely—that they violated the site’s ban on promoting prescription pharmaceuticals. While Facebook is working to reestablish the pages, the incident highlights continuing confusion about the ingredient. Read more at The Denver Post …

Congressional Cannabis Caucus kicks off efforts

With newly-appointed bi-partisan co-chairs, the coalition of lawmakers begins this session’s work to address outdated federal cannabis laws that are out of step with the American people. It has already introduced the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, H.R. 420. Read more at Leafly …

New Age Beverages eyes Asia

The Colorado-based maker of CBD drinks will acquire Utah-based Morinda Holdings for $85 million, giving New Age access to new markets in 60 more countries. New Age stock finished 12 percent higher in December. Read more at NASDAQ …

Cannabis ads light up Times Square

Last year, cannabis-related companies were denied ad space in the iconic venue, but as the ball dropped into 2019, ads for cannabis-related companies lit up multiple billboards around the Manhattan destination. Read more at Denver Business Journal …

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