Things are happening on Capitol Hill. Marijuana is making headway toward legalization thanks to the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act. If it becomes law, the MORE Act would end the criminalization of cannabis for adults by removing it from the list of controlled substances. That means no more criminal penalties.
It also opens the door to criminal justice reform surrounding marijuana and restorative justice since the bill would be retroactive. It means those people in jail because of marijuana could have the charge expunged from their records. They could go free, and not suffer the discrimination of being a felon when trying to find a job.
This is all great news for cannabis, but what about hemp? Marijuana and hemp both come from the same plant, so will the MORE Act do anything to alter the legalization of hemp?
Hemp is already legal
In all reality, the MORE Act is solely focused on marijuana. Hemp should be able to continue along as it has since the passing of the 2818 Farm Bill. This bill legalized hemp, defining it as any compound from the cannabis plant containing 0.3 percent or less of THC.
As of right now, farmers can legally grow hemp, consumers can buy it, and manufacturers can make and transport hemp-derived products. This was a huge win in the cannabis category even though marijuana was still held back.
Hemp got there first because it’s not psychotropic
Most likely, the reason hemp achieved legalization first is because it doesn’t make you feel ‘high’. Unlike marijuana, hemp users don’t report any psychotropic effects. This one difference has changed the game, allowing hemp to grow as a reputable industry.
Users of hemp-derived products, such as CBD, CBC, CBG, and CBN report experiencing a variety of effects. Although still being evaluated by science, users claim these products help reduce stress and anxiety as well as inflammation and muscle soreness. There are also many studies in place evaluating whether cannabinoids may have use treating certain diseases.
Where we’re at with the MORE Act
The House of Representatives has already approved the MORE Act, so a portion of its journey is complete. Now, the bill goes to the Senate for review and approval. If they also give it the green light, the bill’s last step is the White House. There, the President signs the bill and it officially becomes a law.
Even with a long road still to go, the forward movement of this bill is historic because it means people are really thinking about marijuana. Cannabis rights and its federal legalization, on any level, has been in the works for decades. The MORE Act is the first positive momentum that’s really making waves.
An important caveat
Even if the MORE Act passes, marijuana users aren’t suddenly in the clear. While it will no longer be a controlled substance, states will retain the right to outlaw the drug. That means more conservative areas will continue to keep marijuana under wraps using state law, rather than federal regulations.
Is hemp paving the way for marijuana?
Although already legal in certain states, marijuana has a lot to overcome at the federal level. It’s nice to think that hemp is helping pave the way for its sister compound, and that big things may continue to happen.
While we wait, consider exploring the many hemp-derived products out there by shopping for quality tinctures, capsules, and topicals. At Arbor Vita8, we only carry the very best at our online store. Quality is essential to us, and we don’t sell anything we wouldn’t use ourselves. Explore the potential benefits of hemp. Contact us today to learn more.
