Canadian producers shipped in $55 million in hemp seed products to the US in 2024. $46.2 million worth of food seed, $5.9 million in oilcake and $3.3 million in hempseed oil, with most of the supplies coming from the province of Manitoba ($52 million), according to a final USDA report from last year.
The global industrial hemp market is on a rapid growth trajectory, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.1% over the next several years.
Botswana, a nation long reliant on diamond mining as the backbone of its economy, is exploring new horizons. President Mokgweetsi Masisi has signaled a strategic shift toward cultivating hemp and medical cannabis as a means of reducing the country’s dependency on diamonds.
In a landmark move, Moldova has officially legalized the cultivation of hemp for seed and fiber production, opening the door for economic opportunities in agriculture and industry.
Since hemp was re-legalized for cultivation in the United States in 2018, the plant has been riding a wave of excitement. The CBD craze may have stolen the spotlight, but hemp is proving itself to be much more than just a wellness trend.
Reforms to hemp licensing regulations are on the way, aiming to make it easier for regulated farmers to grow the versatile crop and unlock its economic potential.
The European Commission has launched an investigation into Italy’s recent attempts to restrict the sale and use of cannabidiol (CBD) products, following concerns that these measures may violate European Union laws on the free movement of goods.
The U.S. Army has updated its drug policy to officially ban the use of delta-8 THC hemp products, making it clear that soldiers are now explicitly prohibited from using them.
The Portland Pickles are hitting it out of the park—literally and figuratively—by taking summer sports to new heights. Their latest move? Selling THC seltzers at their home games, making them the first sports team ever to offer THC beverages in a stadium. It’s a high score for the Pickles, and they’re doing it in true Portland style.
The Japanese government has finally released its long-anticipated guidance on THC limits for CBD products, giving brands eager to enter the market a clearer roadmap—albeit one with a few potholes.
