Legality of Hemp in PR by 2023. Is the world realizing the benefits of the plant?
Hemp has been used for thousands of years to make textiles, paper, food and medicine, and has been the subject of controversy in many countries due to its resemblance to marijuana. In Puerto Rico, the legality of hemp has been a topic of interest for several years, and in 2016 the Hemp Industrial Research Act was passed, which allowed its cultivation, processing, manufacture, possession, sale and transportation. Although the law has been well received by the industry and local farmers, it is important to comply with federal regulations regarding hemp cultivation, as U.S. federal law still considers hemp to be a controlled substance. (González, Torres, Jiménez and Morales, 2020)
Industrial hemp in Puerto Rico
Industrial hemp is a variety of the plant that is grown specifically to produce fiber, seeds, and other non-psychoactive products. Unlike marijuana, industrial hemp does not produce a "high" and does not have a high potential for abuse. In Puerto Rico, the Hemp Industrial Research Act states that hemp must have a THC content (the main psychoactive compound in marijuana) of less than 0.3% by dry weight to be considered legal. (Karus & Vogt, 2018).
The legality of hemp in Puerto Rico is established by the Hemp Industrial Research Act, which allows for its cultivation, processing, manufacture, possession, sale, and transportation. The law has allowed the creation of new companies that are engaged in the production of hemp oil, hemp-based foods, and personal care products. In addition, educational programs have also been created to train local farmers and entrepreneurs in industrial hemp production. (González, Torres, Jiménez and Morales, 2020)
Federal Regulations
Although Puerto Rico is not subject to U.S. federal laws, the local government decided to adopt federal regulations regarding industrial hemp. U.S. federal law still considers hemp a controlled substance, meaning its cultivation and possession is restricted in some states. Therefore, anyone wishing to grow or process hemp on the island must comply with the regulations set forth in federal law. (Karus & Vogt, 2018).
The hemp industry in Puerto Rico
The cultivation of industrial hemp has been well received in Puerto Rico, as it can represent an opportunity for the country's economic diversification. In addition to the production of hemp oil, hemp-based foods and personal care products, the hemp industry can also be used for the production of building materials, biofuels and biodegradable plastics. (Romero, Kolano, Alvarado & Herrero, 2019)
The economic potential of hemp in Puerto Rico has led to the creation of educational programs to train local farmers and entrepreneurs in industrial hemp production. These programs focus on the production, processing and marketing of industrial hemp, and seek to encourage the creation of new businesses and jobs on the island. (González, Torres, Jiménez and Morales, 2020)
It is important to mention that although Puerto Rico is not subject to U.S. federal laws, the local government decided to adopt federal regulations regarding industrial hemp. U.S. federal law still considers hemp a controlled substance, meaning its cultivation and possession is restricted in some states. Therefore, anyone wishing to grow or process hemp on the island must comply with the regulations set forth in federal law. (Karus & Vogt, 2018).
The hemp industry has been well received in Puerto Rico, as it can represent an opportunity for the country's economic diversification. The law has allowed the creation of new companies that are engaged in the production of hemp oil, hemp-based foods, and personal care products. In addition, educational programs have also been created to train local farmers and entrepreneurs in industrial hemp production. (González, Torres, Jiménez and Morales, 2020)
According to an article published by the newspaper El Nuevo Día, hemp cultivation in Puerto Rico has experienced significant growth in recent years. In 2019, it was reported that about 47,000 square feet of hemp were planted on the island, representing a 58% increase compared to the previous year. In addition, the article highlights that the hemp industry in Puerto Rico could generate around $1.5 billion in annual revenue. (Romero, Kolano, Alvarado & Herrero, 2019)
The hemp industry can also have a positive impact on the environment. According to a study published in the journal Industrial Crops and Products, hemp can be used as a renewable source of biomass and can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels. In addition, hemp cultivation can improve soil quality and reduce erosion. (Karus & Vogt, 2018).
In 2016, the Hemp Industrial Research Act was passed, which allowed the cultivation, processing, manufacture, possession, sale and transportation of industrial hemp on the island. The law states that hemp must have a THC content (the main psychoactive compound in marijuana) of less than 0.3% by dry weight. (Romero, Kolano, Alvarado & Herrero, 2019)
Industrial hemp is a variety of the plant that is grown specifically to produce fiber, seeds, and other non-psychoactive products. Unlike marijuana, industrial hemp does not produce a "high" and does not have a high potential for abuse. Therefore, the law allows its use for industrial, commercial and medical purposes. (Karus & Vogt, 2018).
However, it is important to note that U.S. federal law still considers hemp a controlled substance, meaning that its cultivation and possession is restricted in some states of the American nation. Although Puerto Rico is not subject to U.S. federal laws, the local government decided to adopt federal regulations regarding industrial hemp, so anyone wishing to grow or process hemp on the island must comply with the regulations set forth in federal law. (Romero, Kolano, Alvarado & Herrero, 2019)
The cultivation of industrial hemp has been well received in Puerto Rico, as it can represent an opportunity for the country's economic diversification. The law has allowed the creation of new companies that are engaged in the production of hemp oil, hemp-based foods, and personal care products. In addition, educational programs have also been created to train local farmers and entrepreneurs in industrial hemp production.
In conclusion, the legality of industrial hemp in Puerto Rico is established by the Hemp Industrial Research Act, which allows its cultivation, processing, manufacture, possession, sale and transportation. It is important to comply with federal regulations regarding hemp cultivation, as U.S. federal law still considers hemp to be a controlled substance. The hemp industry can represent an opportunity for the island's economic diversification and educational programs have been created to train local farmers and entrepreneurs.
In addition to the legal and economic aspects, there are some interesting curiosities about hemp and its legality in Puerto Rico. Below are some of them (Romero, Kolano, Alvarado & Herrero, 2019):
- Hemp can be used to produce bioplastics: Hemp has a strong, tough fiber that can be used to produce bioplastics. These plastics are biodegradable and do not pollute the environment like conventional plastics. In Puerto Rico, some companies have begun to explore this possibility to produce more sustainable plastic packaging and products.
- Hemp can help fight the climate crisis: Hemp cultivation is a form of sustainable agriculture that can help combat the climate crisis. Hemp absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and can help reduce the industry's carbon footprint. In addition, hemp requires less water and pesticides than other crops, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
- Hemp is used in natural medicine: Hemp has been used for thousands of years in natural medicine to treat a variety of conditions. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound present in hemp that is used to treat pain, anxiety, and other health problems. In Puerto Rico, the use of CBD-based products is legalized and can be found in stores and pharmacies.
- The legality of hemp can vary from state to state: Although the Hemp Industrial Research Act allows for the cultivation and processing of hemp in Puerto Rico, the legality of hemp can vary from state to state in the United States. Some states allow hemp cultivation, while others prohibit it. This can complicate trade in hemp products domestically.
- The hemp industry can generate employment: The hemp industry in Puerto Rico has created jobs in the production, processing and sale of hemp products. In addition, research and development of new technologies for hemp production can also generate employment in the future.
Sources:
González-Corredera, A., Torres-Pérez, J., Jiménez-Pérez, R., & Morales-Rodríguez, R. (2020). Cannabis sativa L. as a source of biomass for obtaining bioplastics. Revista Colombiana de Biotecnología, 22(2), 40-47.
Karus, M., & Vogt, H. (2018). Hemp foods and hemp-based nutraceuticals: a review. Food Reviews International, 34(6), 543-567.
Romero-Sandoval, E. A., Kolano, A. L., Alvarado-Vázquez, P. A., & Herrera-Mundo, M. N. (2019). Cannabis and cannabinoids for chronic pain. Current Rheumatology Reports, 21(11), 1-8.
Written by: Samuel Rangel (2023)