New York’s legislature sent two bills to the Governor that would allow hemp seed to be added to animal feeds for horses, pets and camelids like llamas or alpacas.
The identical versions of the bills passed by the Assembly and Senate, authored by Assemblymember Donna Lupardo and Sen. Michelle Hinchey, respectively, were sent to the Governor about five months later. Kathy Hochul (D), on Wednesday.
According to the measures, industrial hemp seed can be added as a feed additive for certain animals. This includes seed meal and seed hulls. Cannabis products are a high-protein and fiber additive, say supporters.
A memo attached to this legislation explains that industrial hemp is capable of producing a variety of useful products, such as building materials, fibers for clothing, chaff used in animal bedding and seeds found on supermarket shelves, like granola bars, snack bars and cookies. Industrial hemp has been approved by the federal government for each of these purposes.
It continues: “Only seeds from the industrial hemp plant including shell casings, seed meal, and hemp hearts processed for human consumption would be allowed to be used in animal feed.” The studies show that industrial hemp seeds are a good source of fiber and protein for animals.
National Hemp Association supports the legislation. It is similar to other measures enacted by Montana and Pennsylvania.
states that “Protecting the industrial hemp production in New York encourages greater production and research on the many uses of this plant including as a sustainable building material.” The text. It will also allow small New York-based food processors the opportunity to create a market before hemp seeds can be used in commercial feed nationwide.
The fiscal note states that this legislation could increase the tax revenue of the state due to “increased New York hemp seed products and commercial feed”.
The bills don’t extend the authorization for hemp seed additives to other commercial livestock. This is presumably because of regulatory complications in adding items to animal feed that are intended for human consumption.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently discovered that cattle that are fed hempseed cakes retain very low levels of THC and CBD. This means that meat from cows that have been fed hempseed cakes is safe to consume.
A federally-funded study published in 2013 found that giving cows hemp reduced their stress. Researchers have also studied and how CBD effects pain and stress in horses.
Last year, the Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to businesses that were marketing CBD products for animal use. They warned that “there is a lack of data about what levels of residues may be safe for people who consume foods from animals that have been treated with CBD.”
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In New York, Governor Cuomo recently signed legislation to allow financial institutions to more easily work with clients who are state-licensed to grow cannabis. This is done by allowing the Office of Cannabis Management to give them information about licensees and applicants for marijuana businesses.
Hochul also signed a separate marijuana law to provide relief for New York City marijuana companies that are currently unable to make federal deductions due to an Internal Revenue Service code (known as 280E).
Although Hochul signed last year a separate bill that included provisions that allowed state-level cannabis businesses to deduct tax — a partial remedy for the ongoing federal problem– New York City’s own tax laws were not affected by this change. This new measure aims to close that policy gap.
Legislators in Albany are also considering legislative fixes to the ongoing problems that have arisen with the implementation of legalization of cannabis. In an October hearing for instance, the group discussed issues such as the state’s THC tax, enforcement measures to reduce the illicit market, licensing priorities, preventing children from accessing cannabis, and laboratory testing methods.
The slow licensing of legal cannabis stores has been one of the major complaints with the state’s rollout of legalization. In order to achieve this, the regulators approved settlements agreements that will soon allow hundreds marijuana businesses who have been prevented from opening due to litigation begin operating.
Majorities of Florida voters in every demographic support the Marijuana Legalization Ballot Initiative
The article New York lawmakers send Governor bill to allow hemp seeds in food for pets, horses and llamas first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
