Bluebird Botanicals Urges Congress to Remove Felony Provision In Hemp Farming Act

LOUISVILLE, Colo., Sept. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Bluebird Botanicals, a leading manufacturer and distributor of CBD-rich hemp oil based products, has joined a coalition of hemp industry associations to support hemp farming in the U.S. with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. However, it is urging Congress to remove a provision from the Hemp Farming Act that would prohibit any person convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance under state or federal law from participating in hemp production or programs.

"People convicted of drug related crimes have already paid the price determined by the courts, often for a plant that is now legal across much of the United States. Establishing a lifetime ban on employment to keep someone from working with an agricultural commodity seems like an unjust and unnecessary punishment that only raises the barriers for those who are already disadvantaged in society. We must do all we can to end this disastrous War on Drugs," said Brandon Beatty, Founder and CEO of Bluebird Botanicals.

Hemp, marijuana's non-psychoactive cousin, can be used to produce a wide range of products including food, fuel, fiber, animal nutrition, building materials, paper, textiles and dietary supplements. While the manufacturing and sale of hemp based products is currently legal in the U.S., growing hemp has been illegal since 1937. The legalization of hemp farming will open the doors to an entirely new agricultural industry and has the potential to be a major job creator.

As a signatory of a joint letter submitted to Congress urging the removal of the drug felony provision from the Hemp Farming Act, Bluebird Botanicals joins the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), the Hemp Industry Association (HIA), the National Hemp Association (NHA), and Vote Hemp in expressing their concern that this provision will be detrimental to people trying to find stable employment and will disproportionately affect people of color given the well documented racial disparities in drug law enforcement across the country.

About Bluebird Botanicals
Founded in 2012, Bluebird Botanicals specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of hemp extract supplements, cannabidiol (CBD), CBD vape oil, and more. With our industry-leading quality control system, customers are able to look up third party lab test results for every batch of product, and our strict sourcing and business practices embody our dedication to a sustainable and healthy global community.

SOURCE Bluebird Botanicals