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NOTE: This communication would normally be intended for the Hemp committee. Given it's importance, we are sending it to the entire membership. However, if you have any interest in this rapidly growing category, we urge you to have someone from your organization join the committee. Going forward there will be webinars, conference calls, and general information targeted specifically to this group. We attach a roster for your review. If you would like to add key people (as many as you think appropriate), please contact Heidi Calder (heidi@unpa.com). This is mainly a group designed to receive and share information. There is not a lot of extra time required to participate. Dear HE Committee Colleagues, Yesterday Commissioner Gottlieb made several remarkable statements at the Annual National Association of State Departments of Agriculture meeting. Here is the background. Passage of the farm bill was an important event which was widely, and correctly, hailed as a breakthrough in the permanent legalization of cannabis products. However, the bill also delegated authority to the states to work out the details, which is now causing great confusion and inconsistency, as the states struggle to work out regulations for hemp extracts/CBD. FDA is acutely aware of this problem, and at yesterday's conference the Commissioner stated, "We are interested in hearing from stakeholders and talking to Congress on possible alternative approaches...to make sure we have an appropriately efficient and predictable regulatory framework for regulating CBD products." When pressed for details, none were offered. Likewise, FDA has been silent about its internal thoughts with respect to a pathway for hemp extract/CBD products as foods, beverages, dietary supplements, etc. We believe this signals the beginning of a concerted effort on the part of FDA, states, governments, and now likely Congress, to address this specific issue to clarify confusion created by the farm bill. As we have previously stated, this is an exceptionally complex set of issues and will be the subject of a member conference call to provide details after Expo West. We will be attending all CBD/hemp educational sessions, holding private meetings with a number of key players, and will have much to report. Cordially, LDI 
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