The latest and biggest news stories regarding CBD-infused drink are here:
- Coca-Cola has disproved the rumor that the company is joining the CBD market.
- USDA has certified the first state and tribal hemp plans.
- Indiana Senator and Representative are asking USDA to amend its hemp regulations.
Coca-Cola Disproved The Rumors Of CBD-Infused Drinks
After a video emerged claiming that Coca-Cola is launching CBD-infused beverages in Canada; however, Coca-Cola has called the rumors “untrue.”
In the video, a man named “Gabor the Blind Guy” claimed that Coca-cola had approached his father to create a child-proof cap for CBD-infused Coca-Cola beverages.
Gabor states that his father gave him a cap prototype, which he is showing to the camera.
The video, along with Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube accounts of Gabor was deleted shortly afterward.
While some people assumed that Gabor possibly breached a non-disclosure agreement, Coca-cola explicitly refuted the rumors.
This is not for the first time that such claims are made about the company, and the company has refuted those rumors.
Coca-Cola and Aurora Cannabis were collaborating to produce CBD-infused beverages in September 2018.
James Quincey, the CEO of Coca-cola, has denied any interest in CBD, the next month. He tells CNBC that he does not see that as something they will be involved any time soon. That is not something they are interested in.
Aurora has released a statement about the rumor in 2018, stating that they had “no deal, understanding or arrangement about any collaboration with a beverage company.”
USDA Authorizes State Hemp Plans
As the USDA has started to accept state hemp plans, states are planning to grow hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill.
Currently, the plans from Ohio, New Jersey, and Louisiana are approved.
The plans of seventeen states are under review, including Wyoming, Washington, Texas, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Oregon, North Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, Kentucky, Iowa, Indiana, Georgia, Delaware, Connecticut, Arizona, and Alabama.
Eight states are drafting the plans: West Virginia, Virginia, Utah, Illinois, Hawaii, Florida, Colorado, and California.
Four will proceed with pilot programs based on the 2014 Farm Bill regulations: New Mexico Missouri, Minnesota, and Maine.
Maryland will ultimately use the default USDA plan.
As many stakeholders have shown their concern over some provisions of the interim final rule, so, USDA’s hemp strategy could change soon.
Most importantly, the threshold THC level and the timeframe for testing are subject of discussion.
In view of the increasing interest, USDA prolonged the deadline for public comments on the regulations from December 2019 to January 29, 2020.
You can see the status of a state’s hemp plan here.
Indiana US Congress Members Asked Amendments To USDA Hemp Regulations
US Representative James Baird (R-IN) and US Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) send a letter to USDA asking that there is a need to make certain amendments in the agency’s hemp regulations.
The pair started the letter with admiration to the USDA and its concentration on setting regulations for the hemp industry before the 2020 growing season.
Sen. Braun and Rep. Baird said, “However, as we observe the development of this industry, it is crucial that the Department operates with the understanding that important questions regarding best farming practices seed characteristics, and genetics yet need to be addressed.”
Brain and Baird then listed four concerns which “Hoosier producers” has raised.
The pair argued to raise the threshold THC level from 0.5% to 1%.
They asked the USDA to provide documentation on how the agency had reached the 0.5% threshold.
Second, Baird and Braun recommended a 30-day testing period to provide flexibility for producers as the 15-day testing period is too short for the Midwest farmers.
Braun and Baird said, another issue was that Delta-9 THC should be measured during compliance testing rather than total THC; this issue could also be fixed by increasing the negligence threshold to 1%.
Finally, they demanded USDA to extend the sampling regulations in estimating THC levels to match Congress’ goal in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Many stakeholders have submitted almost similar requests to USDA.
USDA is expected to make amendments to its interim rule before its final plan is released.
