Herbal Profiles #68

Welcome Note

Welcome back Gardeners!

Alas, I have no poll for you this week. I have once again been banned from Linkedin. I am working to get my account back but this one might be final. The joys of writing a newsletter about the “cannabis” industry. So with that in mind if you enjoy my content, I try to be present everywhere. Please follow me on Bluesky, X, Facebook, Instagram, and of course Youtube. You also can always reach me by just hitting reply here.

In case you missed it, I just launched a new podcast with David Gonzalez and the sixth episode was released with Chris Fontes. So be sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get listen to podcasts. Also, be sure to rate us and maybe give the Youtube Channel a follow to if that’s your jam!

Just a heads up, The Free Spirits Podcast is on break for the rest of 2024 and then we will be regrouping for season 2 in 2025. Similarly, the Founder and Creator Spotlight’s will be making a return in 2025 as well.

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News Round Up

• Hemp THC Players Debut New Products, Expand Distribution Hemp-derived THC brands are introducing innovative products and expanding their footprint nationwide. Key launches include low-dose edibles and fast-acting beverages designed to appeal to a broader consumer base.

• Americans Think Marijuana And Psychedelics Are Much Safer Now Than A Decade Ago A new federal study reveals shifting public perception: Americans increasingly view marijuana and psychedelics as safer compared to a decade ago. This trend reflects changing cultural attitudes and expanded legalization efforts.

• Introducing Anytime Low-Dose THC Seltzers with 0 Calories and 0 Sugar A new entrant in the cannabis beverage market offers low-dose THC seltzers with no calories or sugar, targeting health-conscious consumers seeking functional beverages.

• Hemp-Derived THC Drinks Brightfield Group Report December 2024 The Brightfield Group’s December 2024 report highlights the rapid growth of hemp-derived THC drinks, driven by consumer interest in low-dose and functional beverage options. The report emphasizes the importance of innovation in branding and product differentiation.

• Decorah’s Toppling Goliath Launches Merry Rain Cannabis Drinks Iowa’s Toppling Goliath Brewery has entered the cannabis beverage market with its “Merry Rain” THC and CBD-infused drinks, reflecting a growing trend of breweries experimenting with cannabis products to attract new customers.

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Farm Bill Extension Hangs in Balance as Congress Debates Continuing Resolution

The future of U.S. agricultural policy remains uncertain as Congress considers another one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill as part of a broader government funding package. While congressional leaders initially appeared to reach agreement on the extension, recent opposition from President-elect Trump has thrown the deal into question.

The proposed continuing resolution, which would prevent a government shutdown and extend the farm bill through 2025, includes significant agricultural support - $10 billion in direct economic assistance payments to farmers and $21 billion in agricultural disaster aid. However, passage of the measure is far from guaranteed as Washington heads into the final legislative days before the holiday break.

If approved, this would mark the second delay for what was originally supposed to be the 2023 Farm Bill reauthorization. While the proposed measure would prevent disruption of critical farm programs, several contentious issues including hemp regulation and disaster assistance frameworks would remain unresolved for another year.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Pa.) expressed support for the proposed package, noting it "provides much-needed relief for agriculture, including $10 billion in emergency economic aid, which will help address the significant losses incurred due to both weather and market-related issues." House Agriculture Committee analysis suggests these funds could improve farmers' ending cash positions by nearly 20% through 2025.

However, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) criticized the funding mechanism, arguing the $10 billion investment should have been paid for by redirecting conservation and rural energy funding from the Inflation Reduction Act rather than adding to the deficit. "While I am relieved that we reached an agreement, it's shocking that Republican leadership failed to support such a common sense and bipartisan proposal," Stabenow said.

If passed, the extension would maintain current program funding levels without policy changes to controversial areas like hemp regulation. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp with a 0.3% delta-9 THC limit, but didn't address finished products or other cannabinoids like delta-8, creating what many view as loopholes in the hemp-derived products market. Both House Republicans and Senate Democrats had proposed changes to hemp definitions in their respective five-year reauthorization proposals, but these reforms would now wait until at least 2025.

Looking ahead, Thompson indicated he hopes "to move quickly to enact a five-year farm bill" in the next Congress, coordinating with incoming Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.). However, the political dynamics of an election year and potential administration change could further complicate negotiations.

The farm bill, first adopted in 1933 as part of the New Deal, is typically renewed every five years to address current agricultural and food policies. The repeated delays in passing a new five-year package highlight the increasing complexity of agricultural policy and growing partisan divisions over funding priorities.

For now, farmers and agricultural stakeholders face continued uncertainty as Congress debates the continuing resolution. While the extension and aid package would provide immediate support and stability through 2025, opposition from Trump and concerns from conservative members about additional spending have complicated its path forward. The agricultural provisions represent just one part of a broader continuing resolution that includes roughly $110 billion in total emergency and disaster funding.

As the December 22 funding deadline approaches, the fate of both the farm bill extension and broader government funding package remains unclear, leaving agricultural policy in limbo as Washington heads into the holiday break.

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