What is the 2018 Farm Bill

The 2018 Farm Bill, formally known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, is a significant piece of legislation passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 20, 2018. This comprehensive bill addresses various aspects of agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and rural development in the United States. One of the most noteworthy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill is the legalization and regulation of industrial hemp and hemp-derived products. Here are key highlights of the 2018 Farm Bill:

**1. Legalization of Industrial Hemp:** The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the list of controlled substances under federal law. It defined industrial hemp as cannabis with a Delta-9 THC concentration of no more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. This change effectively legalized the cultivation, processing, and transportation of industrial hemp across the United States.

**2. Hemp Research and Pilot Programs:** The bill encouraged and authorized the growth of industrial hemp by institutions of higher education and state agricultural departments. States and tribal nations were given the authority to develop their own hemp programs, subject to approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

**3. Regulation by USDA:** The USDA was tasked with overseeing the regulation of industrial hemp at the federal level. This included establishing guidelines for the testing and inspection of hemp crops to ensure compliance with the 0.3% THC limit.

**4. Interstate Commerce:** The 2018 Farm Bill explicitly allowed for the legal transport of hemp and hemp products across state lines. This provision facilitated the growth of a national hemp industry.

**5. Hemp-Derived Products:** Hemp-derived products, including cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from hemp, were no longer considered controlled substances. The bill paved the way for the legal production and sale of hemp-derived products, such as CBD oils and supplements.

**6. Crop Insurance:** The 2018 Farm Bill made crop insurance, a critical tool for farmers, available to hemp growers, providing them with financial protection in case of crop failure.

**7. Research Funding:** The bill allocated funding for research into hemp cultivation and production methods, including the development of disease-resistant hemp varieties and best practices for growing and processing hemp.

**8. Conservation and Rural Development:** In addition to hemp-related provisions, the 2018 Farm Bill addressed a wide range of agricultural and rural development issues, including conservation programs, nutrition assistance (SNAP), and support for rural communities.

Overall, the 2018 Farm Bill had a profound impact on the hemp industry in the United States. It effectively legalized industrial hemp, opened the door to the production of hemp-derived products like CBD, and provided a framework for regulation at the federal and state levels. This legislation played a pivotal role in the growth and expansion of the hemp and CBD industries in the country.