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Laura Drotleff

Laura has specialized in agricultural journalism for the past 20 years. Most recently she served as the editor of a B2B publication and multimedia properties focused on productivity, efficiency and profitability in commercial greenhouse cultivation. She has reported on multiple aspects of specialty crops including floriculture, fruit, vegetables, citrus and cannabis. She also has served extensively on various horticulture industry association boards. Laura is a Michigan State University graduate and is based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Hemp advocates to White House: Remove drug exclusion barriers and let FD&C Act work

Published August 13, 2020 | By Laura Drotleff

Meetings continue between hemp industry advocates and the White House Office of Budget and Management, signaling that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s CBD Enforcement Policy remains under review.

Top-ranking Senate Democrat joins calls for USDA to delay hemp rules due to coronavirus

Published August 10, 2020

Hemp farmers are seeing an ally in U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York and the U.S. Senate Minority Leader, who is pushing federal agriculture officials to delay implementing new hemp production rules until 2022.

USDA approves hemp plans for Maryland and Lower Sioux tribe

Published August 10, 2020

The U.S. Department of Agriculture gave the green light to hemp plans from the state of Maryland and the Lower Sioux Indian Community in Minnesota.

Hemp insiders brace for FDA’s CBD enforcement policy

Published August 10, 2020 | By Laura Drotleff

Hemp and CBD leaders told Hemp Industry Daily what they hope to see in the FDA’s Enforcement Policy draft guidance, when the industry will likely get to see that document and what will happen to the industry if FDA regulatory guidance on CBD doesn’t come soon. (Click on the orange arrows to advance the slideshow.)

Texas businesses file lawsuit against state for smokable hemp ban

Published August 6, 2020 | By Laura Drotleff

Hemp manufacturers retailers in Texas filed a lawsuit on Wednesday, challenging the Texas health department on its recently enacted ban on selling smokable hemp products.

Colorado CBD maker inks distribution deal with multistate golf course management company

Published August 5, 2020

A Colorado hemp and CBD company with a special focus on tapping customers who golf has settled a distribution partnership with a large golf-club management and marketing company to expand the brand’s reach in the sector.

‘If you listen to the consumer, you’re going to be right’: Q&A with Neptune Wellness CEO Michael Cammarata

Published July 31, 2020 | By Laura Drotleff

Michael Cammarata, the CEO of Neptune Wellness Solutions, said he has learned a multitude of business lessons from working in technology, advertising, music and consumer packaged goods, but all of those lessons ultimately lead back to one underlying theme.

Texas smokable hemp ban takes effect next week

Published July 28, 2020

Officials in Texas have certified that the code banning the retail sale and distribution of smokable hemp products has been approved and becomes effective as of Aug. 2.

Bankruptcy lessons learned from a Kentucky hemp pioneer

Published July 28, 2020 | By Laura Drotleff

Filing for bankruptcy protection isn’t an ideal destination for any company. However, the stigma around it has been significantly lessened in recent years—especially in an industry as tumultuous as hemp.

Hemp companies in financial trouble have legal bankruptcy options not offered to marijuana operators

Published July 27, 2020 | By Laura Drotleff

In a recession, there are bound to be business casualties—particularly in a high-risk, nascent industry such as hemp.

Hemp companies have experienced a perfect storm of obstacles since legalization in late 2018—an uncertain regulatory environment, overproduction in 2019, ongoing challenges with access to banking and financial services and, now, COVID-19

Hawaii’s agricultural economy has high hopes for hemp after sugar cane, pineapple pull out

Published July 24, 2020 | By Laura Drotleff

Proponents of building a strong hemp industry in Hawaii are hoping the crop will restore the island state’s deep agricultural tradition after long-standing tropical crops that moved off the islands in favor of lower-cost locales have left tens of thousands of acres fallow.

Employing a lean, productive team and limiting overtime can keep expenses from adding up

Published July 24, 2020 | By Bart Schaneman

Hemp companies are hunting for ways to tighten their belts during the economic downturn, and executives are looking at personnel as one area where savings can be found.