By HORSETALK.CO.NZ (3 Jun 2020) — More stabled American horses could soon be bedding down on a comfortable layer of industrial hemp, as growers eye a raft of uses for their versatile plant.
Florida is among several US states with high hopes for its fledgeling hemp industry.
Industrial hemp is a Cannabis sativa plant which contains less than 0.3% of the psychoactive agent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). With its almost non-existent THC content, it differs markedly from the marijuana plant.
The problem for decades has been that federal law has treated hemp like its far more potent cousin, marijuana.
Hemp was reclassified as an agricultural commodity in the 2018 Federal Farm Bill, opening the door for states to launch regulated hemp industries.
In June 2019, Florida’s hemp legislation was signed into law.
State agriculture commissioner Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fried welcomed the important move.
“The state hemp bill marks a transformation in Florida, and a critical step on the journey to creating a green industrial revolution, strengthening agriculture with an alternative crop of the future and expanding access to safe, quality cannabidiol (CBD) products,” she said.
Tuesday's Horse 