Alaska has 20 of the highest mountain peaks in the United States, the northern lights can be seen 243 days a year in Fairbanks, and there is approximately 1 bear to every 21 people, according to Matador Network. As for hemp-derived CBD, here are some recent developments.
Industrial Hemp-Derived Cannabidiol (CBD)
In 2018, Alaska enacted Senate Bill 6, “An Act Relating to the Regulation and Production of Industrial Hemp.” The state passed SB 6 before the 2018 Farm Bill.
However, SB 6 was passed in compliance with the 2014 Farm Bill. SB 6 defines “industrial hemp” as “all parts and varieties of the plant Cannabis sativa L. containing not more than 0.3 percent delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.”
The Alaska Industrial Hemp Pilot Program
In 2018, Alaska’s former governor Bill Walker signed Senate Bill 6 into law. Senate Bill 6 is “An Act Relating to the Regulation and Production of Industrial Hemp.”
The Bill authorizes the state to develop a pilot program for industrial hemp growers, according to a news report by Anchorage Daily News. The 2014 Federal Farm Bill provides authorization for the program and enables the state to go forward with the project.
The state has developed its Industrial Hemp Pilot program website. The website provides information on the state’s industrial hemp regulations (11 AAC Chapter 40), which became effective on April 4, 2020.
The regulations are abundant with information, and they are just one of many resources for those who want to learn more about industrial hemp regulations in the state. One of the regulations indicates that one may not produce industrial hemp in the state unless he or she has obtained an industrial hemp registration from the division to participate in the state’s Industrial hemp Pilot Program.
There are three classes of industrial hemp registrations for participation in the state’s Industrial Hemp Pilot Program; they include industrial hemp grower registration, industrial hemp processor registration, and an industrial hemp retailer registration.
The Alaska Department of Agriculture website concerning the state’s Industrial Hemp Program also features forms for various applications and a resource section that includes information on accepted hemp varieties, fee schedules, label examples, and registration number examples. There also appear to be regulations concerning the use of pesticides on industrial hemp, which, according to the website, is regulated by the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Alaska’s industrial hemp industry launched in April 2020, and “farmers, processors and retailers in Alaska can start applying for hemp registrations,” according to a news report by Hemp Industry Daily. The news report also indicates that due to the virus, “all registrations must be submitted electronically through the Alaska Division of Agriculture’s website.”
Alaska Consumer Protection Unit Warning About Unregulated CBD Oil
Alaska has a Department of Law with a Consumer Protection Unit (“Unit”). The Unit released a warning concerning industrial hemp-derived products. The warning, which can be read in full here, warns the public
“about marketing of a variety of industrial hemp-derived products that are currently not authorized for sale in Alaska. Products containing Cannabadiol (CBD) oil and extracts are being widely sold throughout Alaska but are unregulated and untested in the state at this time. Due to their lack of traceability, many of these products are of unknown origin. CBD is a derivative of the industrial hemp plant.”
The warning also discusses a point concerning the lack of FDA approval by the FDA for CBD products. It reads, in part, “Claims relating to the benefits or effects of the CBD oil and products in providing a variety of health or wellness benefits may not have been evaluated by any state or federal agency, including the FDA. This is especially true with any foreign products imported into the State.”
The warning also features a statement by Cindy Franklin, the state’s Assistant Attorney General.
“Claiming that a product provides pain or anxiety relief or some other health benefit without side effects is a sure way to sell a lot of product. Alaskans should be careful about what they ingest. Before putting anything in your body that claims it will help you, think carefully. Don’t assume that something is safe or will work just because it is trendy. Currently, these products are not an FDA approved food source and a large portion of these products may contain THC in unknown amounts.”
The FDA has issued its warnings about CBD products and is working to educate the public about the potential risks.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only. This article is not legal advice. This article was created to entertain readers and should not be used for any other purpose. For your safety and wellbeing, seek licensed legal counsel in your state for laws and regulations concerning CBD.
