The U.S. Senate has given its nod to the 2018 Farm Bill, which includes a provision for legalising industrial hemp at a federal level.The Bill is headed to President Trump's desk for his approval, which is quite probable - although one can never be quite sure with Mr. Trump....

It's very early days for the U.S state of Iowa's "medicinal cannabidiol" program, but its Department of Health has released some initial statistics.In 2017, then-Governor Terry Branstad signed House File 524 into law, expanding Iowa's previous and very restricted program. Under the revamped scheme, 15 conditions qualified - originally...

As New Zealand prepares to make new medical cannabis legislation law, a fresh poll indicates many in the country will feel  it won't go far enough.New Zealand's Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill, was recently expanded and passed its second reading in late November. Even with the...

Affinity Energy & Health (ASX. AEB) is making news again, this time concerning a medical cannabis related research partnership with a hospital in Western Australia.Late last week, the company announced the execution of a non-binding Heads of Agreement with St John of God Health Care Inc, for St John...

New York State's Department of Agriculture and Markets has opened applications for processing of industrial hemp for cannabidiol (CBD) extraction.Cannabidiol is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in high levels in some strains of industrial hemp. The compound has been of special interest to researchers in relation to its potential for...

Australia's Affinity Energy & Health Limited (ASX: AEB) has been granted approval to establish a medical cannabis cultivation and production facility in the Republic of Malta.Under the terms of a Letter of Intent executed with Malta Enterprise, Affinity will be allocated 2,200m2 of industrial land on which to construct...

Canada's Wayland Group has announced it will be expanding into Australia with the acquisition of a majority stake in Northern Territory company Tropicann.It's a somewhat curious situation.Tropicann Pty Ltd is a freshly minted company that Wayland Group states is located in Darwin, Northern Territory. A search of Australian Securities...

ASX-listed cannabis company Creso Pharma Limited (ASX:CPH) has announced it has commenced a process to secure a dual listing on Canada's Toronto Venture Exchange (TSX-V).Creso has set up a solid base for itself in the country through the acquisition of Nova Scotia -based medicinal cannabis producer Mernova Medicinal Inc,...

It may not be long before industrial hemp finally shakes its unsavoury and undeserved status at a federal level in the USA.Industrial hemp is currently classified as a Schedule I substance - a very odd situation given the very low levels of THC it contains. That cannabis generally is...

Sixty industrial hemp research projects will be selected for Pennsylvania's 2019 growing season - up from a maximum 50 that could be permitted this year.Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced earlier this week opening of applications and availability of guidelines for what will be the third year of the state...