Oak City Cannabis owner Tim McChesney is one of the few farmers participating in the Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. Tim has a small, 3 acre farm of about 2,000 plants. His farm focuses more on a high quality plant resulting in high quality CBD products.

In this episode we discuss:

Industrial hemp is the same species as marijuana (Cannabis sativa) but the two crops are distinguishable by their tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. Marijuana contains both THC and CBD, and these compounds have different effects. Hemp is limited to 0.2% to 0.3% THC. THC levels in marijuana are generally 3%-15%. The least processed form of the cannabis plant, known as hemp, contains most of the CBD used medicinally. Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive. This means that it does not change the state of mind of the person who uses it. However, CBD does appear to produce significant changes in the body, and some research suggests that it has medical benefits, including pain relief.

Mitch McConnell (R) introduced Farm Bill 2018 on April 12, 2018, which could fully legalize industrial hemp. The Hemp Farming Act is a proposed law to remove hemp from Schedule I controlled substances list and making it an ordinary agricultural commodity. Now, after four years of research Congress is expected in September to make the crop legal for Americans to grow for the first time in nearly 50 years.

Connect with Tim: FB @OCCNC or www.oakcitycannabis.com

Episode resources: 

https://cannabusiness.law/2018-hemp-farming-act-status-report/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317221.php

https://growingsmallfarms.ces.ncsu.edu/2017/08/industrial-hemp-is-north-carolinas-newest-crop/

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/08/congress-finally-knows-the-difference-between-hemp-and-pot/566942/