Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 09 JULY 2019

Industry Update: USDA Aims To Release Hemp Rules By August

Ward and Smith, P.A
Explore more from Ward and Smith, P.A

While the 2018 Farm Bill decriminalized hemp and distinguished it from marijuana, it did not resolve all regulatory concerns stemming from the plant and its derivative products.

United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Tyler J. Russell
Tyler J. Russell
Allen N. Trask, III
Allen N. Trask, III

Hemp was decriminalized with the passage of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, a.k.a. the "2018 Farm Bill." 

While the 2018 Farm Bill decriminalized hemp and distinguished it from marijuana, it did not resolve all regulatory concerns stemming from the plant and its derivative products.  Specifically, the United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA") was charged in the 2018 Farm Bill with developing a program for the domestic commercial production of hemp, which includes items ranging from clarifying appropriate testing and sampling methods to setting methods for disposal of plants to determining compliance with law enforcement.  The USDA's guidance will play a very significant role in defining the future of hemp in North Carolina and the rest of the United States, and we are monitoring these developments closely.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

More For The Missing-Middle: SB 1116 Expands Starter Home Revitalization Act (SB 684/1123)

California's Starter Home Revitalization Act receives significant enhancements through Senate Bill 1116, expanding site eligibility criteria, limiting local zoning restrictions, and invalidating certain private deed covenants to accelerate small-lot residential subdivisions. The legislation introduces streamlined 60-day ministerial approvals while establishing new rules for lot size averaging, height restrictions, and concurrent permit processing that fundamentally reshape the pathway for starter home devel
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
Article

Residential Vacancy Tax Preempted By State Law

A California Court of Appeal has invalidated San Francisco's Empty Homes Tax, ruling that the Ellis Act—which protects property owners' right to exit the rental market—also shields them from being forced to enter it through vacancy taxation. This landmark decision raises critical questions about the viability of similar residential vacancy taxes that other California municipalities have enacted or are considering as housing policy tools.
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Cox, Castle & Nicholson
Cox, Castle & Nicholson
Article

Governor Newsom Signs Key Housing Bills Into Law

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed multiple state housing bills into law that will take effect January 1, 2027, introducing significant changes to housing development regulations across the state. These new laws establish streamlined ministerial approval processes for various housing types, from high-density transit hub projects in major cities to townhomes and factory-built housing, while also reforming ADU regulations, permit processing requirements, and density bonus provisions. Will these legis
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
Article

New York City Rent Freeze Faces Legal Challenge As Court Considers Landlords’ Claims

Landlords of rent stabilized buildings in New York City have filed a lawsuit challenging the rent freeze passed by the Rent Guidelines Board, questioning the Board's independence and data integrity. With operating costs rising 31% over five years while the Board voted 7-1 for a freeze affecting 1 million apartments, the case raises critical questions about the balance between tenant protection and landlord viability.
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Hogan Lovells Cadwalader
Hogan Lovells Cadwalader
Article

Colorado’s New Mechanic’s Lien Law: Bigger Claims, Stronger Protections, And New Risks For Owners And Contractors

On April 6, 2026, the same day that the Colorado Supreme Court issued its decision in Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company, LLC v. Regional Rail Partners, Governor Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 26-074 into law. The legislation, which took effect on August 12, 2026, clarifies the amounts that may be included in mechanic’s liens and public construction payment claims, as well as the circumstances under which those claims may be considered excessive.
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Higgins, Hopkins, McLain & Roswell, LLC
Higgins, Hopkins, McLain & Roswell, LLC
Article

Understanding And Addressing Mechanic’s Liens On California Projects

Mechanic's liens pose significant challenges for property owners and developers in California construction projects, even when they have fulfilled their payment obligations. Understanding the strict procedural requirements, timing deadlines, and available remedies can help owners protect their projects from improper claims and efficiently resolve legitimate liens when they arise.
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
Article

Texas Business Court Addresses Notice Requirements For Foreclosure Sales

The Texas Business Court examined whether foreclosure notices delivered via email and UPS next-day service satisfied contractual deed of trust provisions and Texas Property Code requirements that specified certified mail. The court also addressed whether notice sent to a designated agent constituted proper notice to the borrower when the borrower's name was omitted from the address line.
United StatesReal Estate and Construction
Greenberg Traurig
Greenberg Traurig
Article

Trump Administration’s New Section 301 Tariffs Reach Nearly All U.S. Imports

On July 23, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative imposed new Section 301 tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners, affecting approximately 99.4% of U.S. imports. The tariffs, ranging from 10% to 12.5% depending on the country, aim to pressure foreign governments to strengthen controls on forced-labor imports, with different calculation methods for the European Union, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland. The action creates significant implications for U.S. supply chains, with
United StatesInternational Law
Ward and Smith, P.A
Ward and Smith, P.A
Article

Water Rates Are Becoming The Next Utility Affordability Flashpoint

Water utility bills are rising faster than electricity rates across America, driven by aging infrastructure, stricter regulations, and system consolidations. This analysis examines why investor-owned water utilities in North Carolina are experiencing accelerating rate increases and explores the legal, economic, and affordability challenges facing regulators and low-income households.
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Ward and Smith, P.A
Ward and Smith, P.A
Article

WOTUS 2026: The Pendulum Swings Narrower Still As Agencies Supplement Their Proposal

The Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have issued a supplemental proposal that would dramatically narrow the definition of federally regulated waters under the Clean Water Act, requiring perennial flow for tributaries and year-round surface water connections for wetlands. This September 2026 proposal responds to public criticism of earlier standards and could exclude many intermittent streams and seasonal wetlands from federal jurisdiction. Stakeholders have until October 9, 2
United StatesEnvironment
Ward and Smith, P.A
Ward and Smith, P.A
Article

After Learning Resources: Liquidation, Protests, And IEEPA Tariff Refunds

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced October 6, 2026, as the launch date for Phase 3 of its IEEPA tariff refund system, allowing plaintiffs with Court of International Trade reliquidation orders to submit older entries for processing. This development follows the Supreme Court's decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, which invalidated the IEEPA tariffs, but the refund process depends on complex customs liquidation rules...
United StatesInternational Law
Ward and Smith, P.A
Ward and Smith, P.A