Beveridge & Diamond Principal Mackenzie Schoonmaker (New York) was interviewed by the National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC) regarding Beveridge & Diamond’s Industrial Hemp and Cannabis practice.

“As the hemp industry expands, it will have to navigate a complex framework of U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and other federal and state level requirements,” Mackenzie commented, “We expect the hemp industry, like comparable industries, will become a highly regulated space.”

At the same time, Mackenzie added, “the opportunities that are fueling this expansion will only increase. As companies respond to growing consumer demands for sustainably-sourced materials, clothing and textile manufacturers are turning to using hemp in their products. With the threat of climate change, climate-smart agriculture (such as hemp) is even more important. And, hemp-derived CBD products are becoming more pervasive, as scientific research is ongoing regarding CBD’s potential to treat various health issues.”

When NIHC asked about the development of the industrial hemp sector in the next five years, Mackenzie went on to say that “we believe the industry will only continue to grow (pardon the pun!) into a ubiquitous industry subject to the same regulations as other agricultural products.” Mackenzie cites B&D’s “deep experience supporting the ag industry on environmental, health, and safety issues,” which positions B&D ideally to “help hemp businesses anticipate and comply with those environmental regulations without hindering business operations and growth.”