Bill Overview
Title: Hemp Advancement Act of 2022
Description: This bill makes various changes to federal requirements that apply to growing hemp, including requirements related to the permitted amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and hemp testing in laboratories. The bill also allows individuals who have been convicted of certain drug-related felonies to obtain hemp licenses, which is currently prohibited for 10 years after the conviction.
Sponsors: Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved in the hemp industry
Estimated Size: 300000
- Hemp farmers will be directly impacted as the bill alters regulations that affect their cultivation practices.
- Potential new hemp farmers who were previously ineligible due to drug-related felonies will be impacted as they now could obtain licenses.
- Hemp processing and testing facilities will be impacted due to changes in THC and testing requirements.
- Businesses that utilize hemp products may benefit from increased hemp production.
Reasoning
- Hemp farmers and prospective hemp farmers with former felony convictions will have varying levels of impact depending on how they choose to utilize the opportunities provided by the new law.
- Hemp processing and testing facilities will need to adapt to changes in testing requirements, potentially affecting operational protocols and costs.
- People directly involved in the hemp industry may experience economic and social benefits, improving their self-reported wellbeing slightly.
- The budget limits and market dynamics will determine how many individuals can fully benefit from the changes, especially those related to obtaining licenses.
- Overall, the policy affects a niche population, indirectly influencing broader market participants.
Simulated Interviews
Hemp farmer (Kentucky)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy sounds great as it loosens some restrictions that have been a headache.
- More flexibility in THC levels will help me experiment with better strains.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Hemp product manufacturer (California)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While increasing production might be good, competition might drive prices down.
- Demand fluctuation is a concern.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Ex-felon and aspiring hemp farmer (Colorado)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is my chance to go legitimate.
- I hope to expand and hire locally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Hemp industry consultant (New York)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Changes in regulations present new consulting opportunities.
- Policies like this keep me busy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Hemp testing lab owner (Oregon)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Updated testing requirements mean more investment.
- Will need to train staff on new protocols.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Hemp entrepreneur (North Carolina)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could open the door for better materials at lower costs.
- The market's potential growth excites me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Unemployed, interested in hemp farming (Tennessee)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy makes entry into this filed more attainable for people like me.
- Hemp farming seems like a promising start.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Hemp retailer (Washington)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Might face more competition from increased supply.
- Could push prices down, affecting margins.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Hemp product distributor (Michigan)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Possible increase in supply could mean more business opportunities.
- I'm hopeful this will stimulate growth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Hemp legal advisor (Texas)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These kinds of changes increase demand for my expertise.
- I see a positive outlook, as businesses will need more guidance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $50000000)
Year 2: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- State-by-state differences in hemp regulation could affect overall impact.
- Potential for increased competition in the hemp industry, influencing existing businesses.
- Legal challenges may arise with changes to felony restrictions.