The governor of New York vetoed two bills that would allow hemp seeds to be added to animal feeds for horses, pets and camelids like llamas, alpacas, and llamas. She cited a lack information regarding the safety of these uses and asked the state to investigate them “expeditiously.”
The Senate and Assembly approved the legislation several months ago. However, the bills were not officially transmitted to the Governor until recently. Kathy Hochul (D) late last month. The governor, who has been a strong advocate for the hemp industry in the state, said that while the FDA had not approved the addition of hemp seed to animal food, “more information was required.”
Hochul wrote: “I am instructing the Department of Agriculture and Markets, in collaboration with Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, to conduct research on the effects of using hemp seed or hemp-seed products as animal feed.” This study must be completed quickly to inform the industry about the issues raised by the possibility of expanding the use of hemp products.
In the now-vetoed measure, it was specified that industrial hemp seeds could be added to animal feed along with seed hulls and meal. The cannabis products, according to supporters, could be an additive high in fiber and protein.
The National Hemp Association endorsed the legislation, which was similar to those that had been passed in 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 did not extend the authorization for hemp seed additives to other commercial livestock. This is presumably because of regulatory complications relating to adding items to animal feed that is used 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 fed hempseed cake 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.
FDA issued warning letters last year to businesses that were marketing CBD products for animal use. The FDA 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, regulators aim to simultaneously legalize adult-use marijuana while expanding the existing medical cannabis program. Applications for both markets are open until next week.
New York’s adult-use marijuana legalization has been the focus of much attention, with recent settlement agreements approved and subsequently lifted by the state Supreme Court. This injunction had prevented regulators from granting additional licenses for recreational shops.
Despite the long-term rollout of the cannabis law, illegal cannabis operators are now widespread in the state. The governor announced that he would “intensify” enforcement.
The New York Senate Cannabis Subcommittee was formed in April by Sen. Jeremy Cooney, (D) and has been chaired since then. In October, they heard from witnesses, and discussed possible legislative solutions for the ongoing problems with the implementation of cannabis legalization in the state.
Hochul signed a bill recently that aims to make it easier for financial institution to work with clients licensed to grow cannabis.
She also signed another bill intended to provide tax relief for New York City cannabis businesses, which are currently prevented from making federal deductions due to an Internal Revenue Service code (IRS), known as 280E.
Hochul had signed an earlier budget bill in the past year which included provisions that allowed state-level cannabis businesses to deduct tax — a partial remedy for the ongoing federal problem. However, New York City’s own tax laws were not affected by this change. This new measure is intended to close that policy gap.
In an effort to increase consumer access to marijuana that is legal, the OCM launched the Cannabis Growers Showcase, a program that allows growers and processors who are licensed to sell directly to the public.
approved the program by a vote in July, and quickly began accepting applications. In August, the Hudson Valley hosted its first pop-up. Another was held near the state fair.
In September, about 66 state legislators–about one-third of the state legislature as a whole–also sent Hochul an email urging her to sign a law that would permit licensed marijuana producers to sell their products to tribal retailers . This plan will allow cannabis farmers to release surplus product that they currently have but are unable to sell.
New York regulators continue to work on debunking the “false narrative” that marijuana is often contaminated with fentanyl, a “misconception,” that is “widespread,” despite a paucity of evidence. OCM released a factsheet recently on the subject, stating that although fentanyl can be found in heroin and MDMA, the anecdotal evidence of marijuana being laced with fentanyl is unfounded.
The Office of Addiction Services and Supports of the state also has recently revised its guidance on THC testing in people in treatment for substance abuse disorder . It advises marijuana screening in cases only where “the patient’s treatment goal is to reduce or stop using cannabis.”
The Black Friday after Thanksgiving was a time when regulators encouraged consumers to shop at licensed cannabis retailers and take advantage of the great deals.
Below, you can read the Governor’s message regarding the hemp seed and animal feeding legislation:
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The post New York Gov. Vetoes Bills to Allow Hemp Seed in Animal Feed and Calls on State To Collect “More Information” On Safety first appeared on Marijuana Minute.
