Year in Review: Spread of psychoactive hemp products is major step backwards

[First in a series of the most popular stories on HempToday in 2023] 

Doldrums in the CBD sector continued to be the most important hemp story in 2023, as a drastic downturn lingered for the third year. Those CBD purveyors who’ve managed to hang around have done so, in part, by leaning on sales to makers of synthetic delta-8 THC and other high-producing hemp-based products – thereby dragging down the image of the hemp industry overall. By making and promoting psychoactive products made from hemp, irresponsible, profit-chasing CBD producers have reversed years of efforts aimed at differentiating hemp from marijuana. It does not bode well for the industry overall, as investors are further disincentivized from supporting the food and fiber subsectors. Stories about CBD and psychoactive hemp products most popular among HempToday readers in 2023:

To protect consumers, make CBD medicine only, restrict delta-8 THC to pot shops

‘New path’ to market for legal CBD in U.S. looks like it will be a long one

Reduced daily intake limit for CBD in UK is potential ‘dagger blow’ to sector

Virginia judge calls delta-8 ‘credible threat’ in setback ruling against hemp stakeholders

Changes under new Thai government could wipe out CBD business