Marijuana Business Magazine - Issue 09, Oct 2017

82 • Marijuana Business Magazine • October 2017 O n the surface, it might seem like a no-brainer for a farmer who is growing hemp to cross over to marijuana, given the growing number of medical and recreational MJ products on the market. Hemp, for starters, is a cousin of mari- juana. It’s a distinct variety of the plant species cannabis sativa L that is frequently confused with marijuana. So there must not be much difference when it comes to growing the two plants …right? Not quite. It’s tough enough navigat- ing the voluminous regulations governing the cultivation of medical or recreational cannabis – to say nothing of understand- ing the sometimes stark differences between how the two plants are grown. But tackling the transition is possible. If a farmer is growing hemp for CBD – versus fiber or seed – there’s not as steep a learning curve to begin growing marijuana. But be aware that the regulations governing each crop are vastly different. “They’re two different components and are treated differently under the law,” said Michael Bronstein, co-founder of the American Trade Association for Can- nabis and Hemp. “You can’t just move one license over to another.There are legal barriers in certain states.Many states have industrial hemp pilot programs. Some have MMJ laws and others do not.” Navigating the Rules More than 30 states allow hemp cultivation under provisions spelled out in the federal 2014 Farm Bill.The law authorized production for research purposes and select pilot programs. A handful of states allow farmers to grow both hemp and marijuana, including California, Washington and Maine. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Transitioning from hemp cultivation to marijuana may seem like a slam dunk, given that hemp is a cousin of cannabis and both crops are heavily regulated. But, in reality, it’s not necessarily easy to cross over. If you’re thinking of making such a transition, keep in mind: • Medical and recreational marijuana are governed by voluminous regulations. • The regulation of marijuana varies from state to state – and even municipality. • If your existing hemp crop is being produced for fiber or seed, there are few similarities between the way hemp and marijuana are cultivated. • But if the hemp is being grown for CBD, the crops are virtually identical and should be nurtured in the same way. Hemp farms in Pueblo County, Colorado, must be situated at least 5 miles from marijuana grow sites, like Los Sueños Farms (pictured), to ensure the plants do not cross-pollinate. Associated Press