The DOJ had advised that CBD oil derived from hemp is still illegal without a prescription but changed its position after meeting with farm lobbyists. Read more in this post from host.madison.com.
Farmers growing industrial hemp under a statewide pilot program will not be prosecuted for producing CBD oil, the Wisconsin Department of Justice announced Thursday, rolling back its previous stance that the substance is still banned.
Attorney General Brad Schimel made the announcement on cannabidiol oil, or CBD oil, following a meeting with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and state lawmakers.
Hundreds of farmers have applied for new state licenses that would allow them to grow industrial hemp. Many hope to produce and sell CBD oil, which can be used to treat seizures. But DOJ issued a memo last month reaffirming that only doctors and pharmacies can distribute the oil in limited circumstances and people can possess it only with a doctor’s certification.
Last week, Schimel issued a statement saying “law enforcement has encountered examples of products claiming to be CBD oil that resulted in people getting hurt and sick. We have an obligation to protect public health and safety, and need to provide frontline law enforcement with the knowledge to enforce the law as it is written by the Wisconsin State Legislature and United States Congress.”
But on Thursday, Schimel said state laws relating to industrial hemp could be affected by the 2018 Farm Bill currently before Congress. Until the state Legislature is enabled by Congress to clarify laws relating to hemp, law enforcement is instructed not to take action against hemp products made by one of the state’s certified hemp growers, Schimel said.