HomeNewsHemp Industries Association Takes On The DEA

Hemp Industries Association Takes On The DEA

After originally stating the “sky is not falling”, the USA’s Hemp Industries Association appears to be applying the precautionary principle by seeking to block the DEA’s Final Rule regarding “Marihuana Extract”.

While the HIA originally believed the ruling did not change the status of cannabidiol (CBD), after having more time to digest the situation the Association seems to have reconsidered its position and is still concerned about wider implications.

“Recent DEA pronouncements indicate that DEA is threatening to flout prior court rulings, and assert regulatory authority over hemp seed, oil, and products made from hemp seed and oil, which have always been exempt from the Controlled Substances Act,” says a HIA statement.

The HIA’s Executive Director, Colleen Keahey, says the DEA’s attempt is not only overreach, “it’s an attempt to rob us of hemp’s economic opportunity.”

The HIA isn’t the only party to take the DEA to task on this via legal action.

We recently reported Hoban Law Group has filed a petition to challenge what it says appears to be an attempt by DEA to control an otherwise lawful substance.

The DEA has taken a great deal of flak over its Final Rule, which has also triggered related actions.

More than 100,000 people have signed a current petition demanding the Administration corrects misleading information on its website about medicinal cannabis. The petition was started by Americans for Safe Access (ASA), which filed a legal request with the Department of Justice last year demanding the DEA immediately update what it identifies as misinformation.

It’s quite a tumultuous time in the USA’s burgeoning cannabis industry, with probably the most notable recent event being President Donald Trump taking the oath of office a few days ago. It’s still not known how he will approach the sector; but President Trump’s pick for Attorney General, Senator Jeff Sessions, has sent shivers down the spines of some.

However, as an article on Marijuana Business Daily notes:

“Marijuana proved to be about as popular as Donald Trump in red states that voted on cannabis ballot initiatives in November, highlighting the potential for a political backlash if the incoming president looks to crack down on the MJ industry.”

Steven Gothrinet
Steven Gothrinet has been part of the Hemp Gazette in-house reporting team since 2015. Steven's broad interest in cannabis was initially fueled by the realisation of industrial hemp's versatility across multiple sectors. You can contact Steve here.
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