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International Hemp Sector Seeks Science-Based Animal Feed Regulations

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Policy, Science.

Members of the global hemp sector are calling for uniform international science-based regulations for animal hemp feed. Hemp-derived animal feeds are increasing in popularity as countries worldwide move to modernize their hemp policies and regulations.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and the Association of American Feed Controls approved hemp seed meal as feed for laying hens. The regulatory entities set a threshold of 2 parts per million (ppm) of THC and a threshold of 20 ppm for CBD, which hemp sector members in other nations have reportedly taken issue with.

“The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) is concerned regarding the current application from the Hemp Feed Coalition (HFC) to AAFCO to register hempseed meal as a livestock feed ingredient for laying hens with maximum cannabinoid limits of 2 ppm for total THC and 20 ppm for total CBD.” EIHA stated in an open letter in response to the then-proposed cannabinoid thresholds.

“We believe this feed ingredient definition does not reflect current research on feed-based cannabinoid risk, would needlessly exclude most commercially available hempseed meal, and therefore create a market that would not be commercially viable. We also believe that moving forward with this registration would create precedent that will complicate commercially viable hemp livestock feed ingredient registrations in Europe and other important global markets.” the letter also stated.

Members of the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (CHTA) also issued their own public letter earlier this year calling for an increase in cannabinoid thresholds.

“While we are optimistic for the new market opportunities, we do have concern that the proposed limits of 2 ppm of total THC and 20 ppm of total CBD are too low when the hempseed meal is
produced from hemp varieties that are commonly grown in North America. The observed variation of these natural constituents after decades of food manufacturing shows that most lots
will not meet these low levels.” members of CHTA stated in their letter.

“We feel that the established limit of 10 ppm for total THC for hempseed-derived food products in Canada is more appropriate in that it will not require separate testing of lots to qualify for feed, an effort in cost and time that the feeding industry will not be prepared to incur.” the letter also stated.

According to original reporting by FeedNavigator, the Federation of International Hemp Organizations is “working to harmonize global hemp regulations” and the organization is “collating the expertise of over 100 hemp professionals” to advocate for “policies that reflect hemp’s agricultural and industrial potential.”

A recent study conducted in China using hemp seed cake (HSC) to feed chickens found that “adding 20% HSC in the feed had a notable effect on the growth, antioxidant and immune capabilities, blood lipid metabolism, and meat performance” of the chickens in the study.

In addition to hemp increasingly being used as a source of animal feed, cannabinoids are also being increasingly used by veterinarians as medicine for suffering pets. For example, Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency recently decided to amend Ordinance SVS/MS 344/1998 to allow the regulation of medical cannabis products for animals by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

According to a recent market analysis by Global Market Insights, the global cannabidiol (CBD) pet market was worth an estimated $693.4 million in 2023. The CBD pet product market is projected to grow at an estimated 18.2% CAGR from 2024 to 2032.

Market growth will be driven by “growing pet ownership coupled with increasing awareness and acceptance of the potential therapeutic benefits of hemp-derived CBD for pets” the researchers stated.

“The dogs segment is set to lead the market, accounting for the largest revenue of USD 416.1 million in 2023, anticipating its dominance throughout the forecast period with a significant growth rate.” Global Market Insights reported.

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Hemp Leaves No Longer A Novel Food Under EU Law

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business, Policy.

Cannabinoid-based products are increasing in popularity across the globe, and particularly so in Europe. ‘Cannabis light’ products are widely available in Europe, although they are not always completely legal.

Part of the problem is the patchwork of laws, rules, and regulations in Europe, with individual countries often having their own set of policies, with the European Union having sometimes conflicting policies. What is legal in one country may not be legal in another country, and all of it may be illegal in the eyes of the European Union depending on the situation.

To further complicate things, hemp and cannabis are treated differently by the governments of Europe (and elsewhere on earth), even though they are ultimately the same plant. If the THC content of a plant is under a threshold, typically .3-1%, then it is hemp. If it is above the threshold, then it is cannabis according to various governments.

It may seem like a big game of semantics to some, however, when it comes to public policy in Europe and the emerging industries that are governed by such policies, words matter. Thankfully, there is now reportedly clarification for hemp leaves at the European Union level, with the EU recently indicating that hemp leaves are no longer considered to be a ‘Novel Food.’ Per Cannabis Health News:

Hemp leaves, when separate from the flower, are now no longer classed as a Novel Food under EU law, permitting the sale of hemp-infused tea and tea-like products in member states.

An agreement to modify the Novel Food Catalogue was reached by EU members as part of a European Commission (EC) working group on Friday 2 June.

It’s now over four years since the EC made the controversial decision to classify all parts of the plants as Novel, meaning companies would need to apply for Novel Food status in order to legally sell cannabinoid-based products containing less than 0.3% THC in the EU.

The recent decision is obviously significant for people that sell cannabis teas and other products derived from hemp leaves. However, the decision clearly does not go far enough, and anything that is not derived from hemp leaves still faces a considerable amount of bureaucratic hurdles.

Europe’s emerging cannabis industry is increasing in size despite the playing field being far from level for cannabis companies compared to companies in many other major industries. Hopefully the governments of Europe, and the European Union itself, moves faster to modernize the continent’s cannabis policies.

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Hemp May Be Increasingly Used As A Plant-Based Meat Ingredient

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

The hemp plant is one of the most versatile crops on earth, capable of producing numerous textiles and wellness products. According to new research out of Japan, it may also be capable of revolutionizing the food processing industry, particularly as it pertains to the production of plant-based meats.

A team of investigators associated with the Institute of Food Research, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization in Ibaraki, Japan examined the hemp plant’s usefulness to the food processing industry.

“In the era of SDGs, useful plants which provide valuable industrial outputs and at the same time pose less impact on the environment should be explored. Hemp seems one of the most relevant gluten-free crop plants to meet such requirements.” the investigators stated about their research.

As the researchers pointed out in their findings, which were published in Foods (an Open Access Journal by MDPI), the hemp plant requires far fewer pesticides and consumes less water during the growth cycle compared to many other crops.

“This short review investigates hemp’s sustainability as a plant as well as its utility value as a highly nutritional material in the food industry. Recent application research of hemp protein in food processing includes plant milk, emulsifiers, fortification of gluten-free bread, plant-based meat production, as well as membrane formation. These studies have revealed distinctive properties of hemp protein, especially in relation to disulfide (S-S)/sulfhydryl (-SH)-mediated interactions with protein from other sources.” the researchers stated in their abstract.

“Hemp seeds are high-protein, low-carbohydrate, and rich in dietary fiber and unsaturated fatty acids. After expression of oil from the seeds, the residual mass is a useful protein-rich material for food processing. Moreover, hemp seed protein has distinctive characteristics suitable for developing new foods such as an emulsifier, plant-based meat, and gas-retaining membrane. The cysteine-rich protein feature realizes unique disulfide-mediated interactions with protein from other sources and is thus expected to facilitate development of new food materials.” the researchers concluded.

The team of investigators also pointed out in their conclusion that hemp protein is less soluble and a higher temperature is needed for processing compared to other plant proteins, so further research is warranted regarding what it takes to achieve suitable reaction conditions for hemp protein.

According to international data company Grand View Research, the global plant-based meat market was valued at over $5 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 19.3% between now and 2030.

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Hemp Increases Cow Health – and Reduces Bovine Stress

Written by Marguerite Arnold on . Posted in Science.

A federally funded study published in Scientific Reports suggests that hemp has similar effects on humans and cows

A US Department of Agriculture-funded study of hemp-based cattle feed, which has been underway since 2020 has begun to deliver intriguing results. Cows can completely digest all parts of the hemp plant, including stems, stalks, and other “waste” parts not used for other purposes.

Giving industrial hemp to cows appears to help them feel less stressed and may even be good for their overall health. The effects of the plant, in other words, may be similar in both humans and cattle. Furthermore, this is a very efficient use of parts of the hemp plant that are not normally used – creating a highly efficient end-use product.

This study examined 16 Holstein steers, split into two groups. One group was fed nothing more than their normal feed for a period of two weeks. The other group consumed their feed, mixed with hemp that gave each cow a daily dose of 5.5 mg of cannabidiolic acid per kilo of body weight. Blood samples were taken from all cows to understand how hemp affected each study participant.

The cows that ate CBD began to show lower cortisol and prostaglandin levels in their blood. Both of these chemicals are common markers of stress. They also spent more time lying down than the control group.

Cows who suffer elevated levels of stress, either from early weaning or cramped quarters, are more prone to developing respiratory infections or other diseases.

Despite these encouraging results, American farmers are still not allowed, by mandate of the USDA, to feed hemp to any livestock bound for human consumption. The reason is that the US government is still concerned that minute amounts of THC might linger in meat or milk from cows who have consumed the hemp plant. This latest study shows that these concerns are not valid.

Animals and Hemp

While still in its early stages, feeding animals hemp and hemp products is clearly a growth industry. Multiple studies have been conducted on dogs, with good effect. Beyond domestic animals, however, farm animals also are positively affected. A recent Thai study has found that chickens who are fed hemp-based food also need fewer antibiotics to stay healthy.

As more conclusive studies are conducted, it is becoming apparent that cannabis is not just a wonder plant for people, but for all kinds of animals as well.

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Yet Another Reason Why Hemp Should Be Used To Clean Up Contaminated Areas

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Science.

It is estimated that there are as many as 10 million contaminated sites around the globe, with over half of those sites involving heavy metal contamination specifically. Heavy metals are metallic elements that have a relatively high density compared to water, and heavy metal contamination involves soil (and water) being saturated with heavy metal pollution over time.

Some of the most common types of heavy metals found at contamination sites that are concerning to humans include cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead, and arsenic. Contamination sites can be found at old geogenic, industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical, domestic effluents, and atmospheric locations.

In addition to harming humans, heavy metal contamination also negatively impacts wildlife and the environment. It can lead to a number of health issues, including disease and even death. If sites contaminated by heavy metals are not properly cleaned up in a timely manner, contamination can extend to local water sources.

Hemp To The Rescue

A major tool at the disposal of humans is the hemp plant. Per one of many studies on the subject, hemp plants have an uncanny ability to absorb heavy metals from the soil in which they are planted. It’s a two-edged sword, in that heavy metal fertilizers are commonly used by some cannabis growers and that is not a good thing. However, for the purpose of cleaning up contaminated sites, hemp’s ability to absorb heavy metals is incredibly useful.

Due to the stigma of the hemp plant, its use for cleaning up contaminated sites is still somewhat limited around the globe, although the practice is currently being put to use in some places. For instance, hemp is planted around the site of Europe’s largest steel plant in Italy to clean up the area’s contaminated soil.

Hemp matures notoriously faster compared to many other plants and trees that have strong heavy metal uptake abilities. It takes roughly 3-4 months for a hemp plant to grow from start to finish, and throughout its growth process, it is pulling heavy metals from the soil that it’s planted in. It’s an environmentally friendly way to clean up sites efficiently. As the political stigma surrounding hemp cultivation subsides around the planet, it’s a technique that will likely increase in popularity.

What About The Hemp Harvests?

One obvious question that people ask when the topics of hemp and contamination sites come up is ‘what do they do with the harvested hemp?’ It’s a logical question, and thanks to recent research out of Belgium there’s now some insight regarding an answer.

A team of researchers in Belgium recently planted hemp in contaminated soil for the purpose of testing the contamination levels of the hemp itself. The researchers wanted to know if the hemp fibers could still be used to make textiles even though they came from plants that were used to decontaminate polluted soil.

“…both Cd and Pb concentrations in the fibers were far below the heavy metal thresholds for textile product safety in all cultivars, while Zn is not considered toxic in textile production. In addition, low Pb, Cd, and Zn concentrations in the shives suggest the potential safe use of this residual fraction of hemp fiber production as well.” the researchers stated.

“These results are promising in terms of safe use of the produced hemp fibers in the textile industry and thus of the potential valorization of contaminated land through hemp cultivation and the development of non-food value chains within a phytoattenuation strategy.” the researchers concluded.

It is worth noting that this particular study only looked at contamination levels as they pertain to textiles. Hemp can obviously be used to make foods and other consumables, including ones that people inhale, and further research is needed regarding hemp harvests at contaminated sites and whether or not the harvests can be used for things that humans ingest/inhale.

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European Parliament Agrees To Raise THC In Hemp – Equivalent Of US Farm Bill

Written by Marguerite Arnold on . Posted in Politics.

The European Parliament has agreed to raise the THC limits in hemp to .03%, bringing the EU into line with the US. Will this mean a growing new international hemp trade between the US and Europe?

Late last week, the European Parliament agreed on a new Common Agricultural Policy for the region, which goes into effect on January 1st, 2023. Namely hemp grown in EU countries can have a THC content of up to 0.3%. This is up from the current limit of 0.2% (at least at the EU level). National regulations within the region are already all over the place. 

This change has been bubbling for some time. However now that it has been formally adopted into something so fundamental as regional agricultural policy, there is little chance of the tide turning back on CBD. Namely as has also been widely feared that CBD would again be ruled a narcotic and at a regional level. With this announcement, there is little chance of that happening.

Implications

This is a very important moment for the hemp industry across Europe – and will invigorate the industry much like the passage of the federal hemp bill in the United States in 2018. What this means is that there is a regional minimum standard. Obviously, sovereign laws take precedence. However, what this does is set a bar that latecomers to the discussion will essentially have at least considered as a reference guide as they wrestle with full and final cannabis reform.

A Magic Cure-all?

While highly significant, this is not, however, the end of the hemp industry’s problems in Europe. Chief among those, starting in Germany, is the remaining inclusion of even CBD in national narcotics acts. For this reason, while a very big step that the hemp lobby, for one, is rightly celebrating, it is still not one that entirely overcomes the many issues even this part of the industry is still facing.

Indeed, the only real way to normalize the CBD discussion is to reconnect it, once again, to the THC one as multiple countries in Europe now wrestle with full and final legalization, even if only of the home grow kind.

However, luckily for everyone in every part of the industry, that is now a conversation that is fully underway.

Be sure to stay tuned to the International Cannabis Business Conference blog for the latest cannabis reform developments in Europe.

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The Future Of The Hemp Industry In Europe

Written by Marguerite Arnold on . Posted in Business.

An EU court case over the right of a Czech company to legally produce hemp extracts and sell them, across European borders, in France, has moved the needle on the entire “CBD as narcotic” discussion -and in a big way.

Last week, the European hemp industry got a huge boost at the European Court of Justice. Not only has the Court ruled on a pressing matter at the table across the EU but globally, at the WHO right now (namely that CBD is not a narcotic). 

As a consequence, however, the entire European hemp industry seems to have gotten a boost that so far had largely eluded it. Namely its basic legitimacy.

The Overview And Significance Of The Case

The European ruling came on appeal of a French case wherein vape cartridges containing CBD extract that were legally manufactured in the Czech Republic were shipped to France for sale – and as a result, the company was prosecuted and fined.

As a result, the overturning of the French decision in Luxembourg means that:

– Companies who are legally registered to produce hemp and hemp extracts in one European country are immune from prosecution for the same in their country of origin.

– Companies may ship such products, if not the raw ingredients and unpackaged extracts (in bulk) legally, across European borders without fear of prosecution.

-Companies may market and sell such products legally, across Europe, no matter where they or their customers are located. The online hemp extract marketplace finally got the boost it has been waiting for.

A Rush of Investments Into The Hemp Industry?

While the deck has certainly been cleared of the surrounding smoke on a very basic issue (i.e. whether to treat legally produced and certified hemp as a medicine or whether there could be a differentiation between plants possible at the ground, police inspection level), there are still looming barriers across the entire conversation that have NOT been solved.

Namely, whether hemp and its extracts are indeed “novel.”

While this so far has been the established focus of an industry and its lobby that had no firm place to stand, this too, will begin to shift, particularly as hemp is normalized under European farming policy and thus, firmly, in the realm of EU-BIO.

Regardless, all of these waters will be choppy for the next several years – and will continue to be as the Cannabis sativa L plant, and of all THC concentrations as well as other cannabinoids, continues to top the change agents still active and fomenting in Europe.

Be sure to book your tickets for the International Cannabis Business Conference when it returns to Europe in 2021.

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Study: Hemp Essential Oil Can Inhibit Or Reduce Bacterial Growth

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Science.

The hemp plant is one of the most versatile plants on earth. It has the ability to feed, to clothe, and to heal. It is estimated that the hemp plant can be used to make tens of thousands of products from paper to plastic.

For many centuries hemp was primarily associated with making rope and textiles. However, that has changed in recent years with the rise in popularity and the availability of hemp-derived oil.

Hemp oil can come in various forms, with the most common being in a liquid capsule form. The hemp plant is rich in the cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD), and CBD has been found by numerous studies and personal experiences to help successfully treat a number of health conditions, especially epilepsy.

Essential oil made from the hemp plant appears to be able to inhibit or reduce bacterial growth, at least according to the results of a recent study.

A team of researchers in Italy recently explored the relationship between hemp oil and bacteria, especially when it comes to food products. “The essential oil extracted from these inflorescences was investigated for the antioxidant potentialities and for the terpenic profile.” the researchers stated.

The researchers went on to say, “The antibacterial activity of hemp essential oil (HEO) against some pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms isolated from food was also evaluated by determining the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC).”

“The results obtained suggest that hemp essential oil can inhibit or reduce bacterial growth, also exerting antioxidant activity, and therefore it can find an advantageous application in the food processing field.” the study’s authors concluded.

Results from this study are significant because hemp oil is likely to be used a lot in food products going forward.

Hemp oil is quickly becoming labeled as a ‘super food’ by many nutritionists, and the fact that hemp oil may be able to inhibit or reduce bacterial growth makes it an even more viable ingredient in foods than many previously thought.

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4 Very Important Things To Consider Before Cultivating Hemp

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

Cultivating any type of agriculture crop on a large scale takes a significant amount of resources, and cultivating the hemp plant is no exception.

The hemp plant may be easier to cultivate compared to other types of crops, and demand for hemp-derived products has definitely spiked in recent years, however, just because a farmer cultivates hemp does not mean that financial success is guaranteed.

As with virtually any worthwhile endeavor, farmers need to perform their due diligence and consider a number of factors before dedicating acreage, time, and other resources to hemp cultivation.

Below are four very important factors that are often overlooked by farmers who get caught up in all of the excitement surrounding hemp cultivation.

1. A Plan in Place for the Harvest

The hemp plant is a hearty plant that is fairly straight forward to cultivate and is not as prone to issues compared to other agricultural crops.

Germinating seeds is not too difficult of a task, and while planting is labor and time-intensive, theoretically just about everyone can do it successfully.

Successfully cultivating hemp plants from seed to harvest, even on a large scale, is something that most experienced farmers can do if they prepare properly.

2019 was the most popular year for hemp cultivation in the United States in modern times, which is a point that we will explore later in this article.

The excitement around hemp cultivation is understandable, as is the spike in the number of farmers dedicating a large number of acres to hemp.

Many of those farmers realized that they had a harvest problem on their hands too late in the process and suffered as a result.

The hemp plant may be straightforward to cultivate compared to other plants, however, it is often more difficult to harvest properly, especially on a large scale.

Using traditional agriculture harvesting equipment typically results in a significant loss in the quality of the hemp harvested.

Farmers that do not plan for harvest ahead of time are setting themselves up for failure. They need to lock down an experienced harvest team way ahead of time.

2. A Location to Dry the Harvested Plants

A properly cultivated hemp field that yields a massive crop can be a two-edged sword. On one hand, a larger crop is always a welcomed thing. 

On the other hand, those plants need a lot of space to dry.

Unlike corn, which can be stored in various ways post-harvest, the hemp plant needs to undergo a specific drying process in order to maximize its usefulness.

A harvested hemp plant needs to cure in a dry, dark place for a duration of time in order to reach its full potential, and that requires a massive indoor facility when hundreds of acres are involved.

Many farmers made the mistake this last season of focusing all of their time and energy towards cultivating plants just to watch them rot out in the cold because they did not plan for the drying process.

Hemp farmers would be wise to lock down a space to dry all of their harvest before they plant their first hemp seed in the ground. 

Otherwise, they run the risk of never making it to the finish line.

3. Have a Buyer Lined Up

The last hemp season was full of success stories, with many farmers knocking it out of the park and reaping the financial rewards from doing so.

Unfortunately, many more farmers had visions of grandeur in their minds during the planting and cultivation season just to have those visions dashed when they weren’t able to sell their harvests.

Hemp and hemp-derived CBD products may be experiencing an exponential level of growth in demand in recent years, however, that doesn’t mean that harvested hemp will sell itself.

Most hemp harvests are turned into CBD oil and other processed goods. Raw hemp flower is growing in popularity, however, that popularity pales in comparison to demand for CBD oil.

Unless a farmer intends to create their own CBD oil out of their harvest, they will need to link up with a buyer that needs large amounts of raw hemp to make their own products, or a broker that knows buyers.

Buyers need to be identified and an agreement entered in to prior to plants going in the ground if hemp farmers want to help ensure financial success.

4. Market Saturation

It is no secret that people are scrambling to get into the hemp industry right now, largely due to how popular CBD has become in recent years.

According to Vote Hemp, in 2019 over 500,000 acres were licensed to cultivate hemp in the United States. That’s a 476% increase compared to 2018.

The hemp-demand pie may be huge, however, it is split into many slices right now, and more slices are being created with every passing year. Market saturation is a real concern.

If you are considering cultivating hemp, it is vital that you realize that you are not the only one contemplating pursuing that idea.

This is not meant to dissuade farmers from cultivating hemp, but rather encouraging farmers to temper their expectations and take the approach of easing into the shallow end of the pool rather than diving into the deep end.

Be patient, proceed methodically, and build your cultivation operation in a rational way rather than letting hype and emotion get the best of you.