The press release below highlights groundbreaking legislation signed on December 9th by Governor Cuomo. This legislation will allow New York State to lead the nation in quality-control of hemp-derived CBD. Our Founders Tricia Horst and Rick Weissmann are quoted directly in the official press release from the state below.

**PRESS RELEASE**
Lupardo/Metzger Hemp Bill Signed into Law

Nation-Leading Regulatory Framework Created For Hemp/CBD Production and Sale in New York

Albany, NY…Today the Governor signed into law nation-leading legislation introduced by the two Agriculture Chairs in the State Legislature, Senator Jen Metzger and Assemblymember Donna Lupardo, regulating the production and marketing of hemp extract in New York State. The 2018 Farm Bill removed cannabidiol, known as CBD, from the Controlled Substances Act, creating new opportunities for New York farmers and businesses.

The state law establishes the necessary regulatory framework for hemp extract production, processing, and commerce in the state, updating the hemp permitting process and regulating the extract industry through production standards, testing, and labeling, creating needed industry certainty while also protecting consumers.

Metzger’s bill and the Assembly’s companion legislation, carried by Assemblymember Donna Lupardo, were both passed in the legislature on the final day of the 2019 session.

“Today, New York has taken a nation-leading step forward to create the framework for growing, processing, and selling hemp extract and related products in our state, providing a tremendous opportunity for our farmers and businesses up the value chain while ensuring that we have the standards needed to protect consumer safety and well-being,” said Senator Metzger (SD-42). “As the Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am thrilled to partner on this legislation with my counterpart in the Assembly, Donna Lupardo, and thank the Governor for his support of this important legislation.”

“I want to thank Senator Metzger for soliciting and considering all our input in crafting this bill. The Governor’s approach, with the Senator’s help, will make NY hemp the best quality and the most sought after product in the country,” said Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton.

Gail Hepworth, CEO of Hempire State Growers, a farmer-focused cooperative consisting of over 30 multi-generational farmers from the Mid-Hudson Valley said, “The hemp bill aligns well with our mission to build replicable, ethical, and sustainable practices in agriculture that significantly support the local economy and ecosystem of the Hudson Valley.

Senator Metzger and Assemblywoman Lupardo have been instrumental in ensuring that the interests of New York farmers are represented in their bill, which will provide a framework to allow farmers to actively contribute to and benefit from the development and expansion of the hemp industry and help establish the Hudson Valley as a world-class CBD region. Considering the uncertain Federal regulatory environment, it’s critical that New York takes leadership on this issue.”

“The new hemp bill will give New York farmers a competitive edge in the hemp industry. It will allow for regulated and quality products to be produced, focusing on New York-grown hemp. This will set New York apart from other states in the country. I thank Senator Metzger and others for their hard work putting this legislation in place,” said Mark Rogowski, who owns and operates S&SO Produce Farms in Goshen.

“We applaud the NY state hemp legislation sponsored by Senator Metzger and Assemblywoman Lupardo. This bill will establish New York State as a role model for the rest of the Hemp/CBD industry in this country and establish guidelines necessary to ensure the safe use of hemp-derived CBD. It is a great day for the hemp industry,” said Tricia Horst and Rick Weissman, Co-founders of High Falls Hemp NY.

The main markets for industrial hemp are in the food and supplement market, the clothing industry, as building materials, and for bio-plastics and paper products. Hemp is protein-rich, high in Omega fatty acids and fiber. Regulation of hemp supplement and food products is important for making sure that consumers know what they are ingesting.

Jen Metzger represents the 42nd Senate District, which includes all of Sullivan County and parts of Delaware, Orange, and Ulster Counties. Senator Metzger serves as Chair of the Agriculture Committee and sits on the Environmental Conservation, Education, Health, Energy and Telecommunications, Local Government, Women’s Issues, Domestic Animal Welfare, and Legislative Commission on Rural Resources Committees.