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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.

Generic drugs giant Perrigo enters CBD market with $50 million investment in Colorado extractor

Published June 17, 2020

A global health and wellness solutions provider is expanding into the CBD market through a new partnership with CBD manufacturer Kazmira LLC, based in Watkins, Colorado.

New York hemp growers, processors decry delayed CBD rules

Published June 17, 2020

A group of hemp growers and processors in New York is calling on the New York State Department of Health to release regulations that would provide clarity for hemp and CBD businesses to move forward with making decisions about their businesses.

Chart: Michigan to increase 2020 hemp production, but 53% of 2019 crop is still unsold

Published June 15, 2020 | By Laura Drotleff

State agriculture officials in Michigan are seeing more interest in hemp production this year, despite more than half of growers failing to find a market for their 2019 crops and many reporting crop failures and heavy pest and weed pressure. Authorities tell Hemp Industry Daily that the state has licensed 13,225 outdoor acres and 11 million […]

Technology expert explains how AI can optimize hemp and marijuana production

Published June 15, 2020

Deployment of artificial intelligence-enabled technology in agricultural crops has been in the news, explaining how automated data dissection and automation can reduce labor, streamline production of food crops and help producers improve the efficiency of their operations.

Fund manager offers tips on hemp investing opportunities and challenges

Published June 12, 2020

The clock is ticking to register for a free virtual briefing with MJBizDaily Investor Intelligence on “Opportunities and Challenges in Hemp Investing,” scheduled for 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on Tuesday.

California hemp and ag biotech company purchases Oregon hemp breeder

Published June 10, 2020

Arcadia Biosciences, Inc., will purchase the commercial and genetic assets of Industrial Seed Innovations, including its seed varieties, germplasm library and intellectual property.

CBD liver study to inform FDA regulation gains support for deployment next month

Published June 10, 2020 | By Laura Drotleff

A third-party consumer research study looking at CBD’s effects on humans, meant to help gather the liver safety data that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration needs to move forward with regulation, is set to begin in July.

Texas hemp groups challenge state’s proposed smokable hemp ban

Published June 9, 2020

Texas hemp farmers and businesses are fighting back against the state’s proposed ban on selling smokable hemp.

GenCanna Global appoints new leadership as processor emerges from bankruptcy

Published June 8, 2020

Kentucky hemp processor and CBD product manufacturer GenCanna Global has named veteran executive Andrew Barnett as its new CEO.

Economic recovery money still available for hemp farms and businesses, despite USDA shun

Published June 5, 2020 | By Laura Drotleff

As economic recovery begins, storefronts are re-opening and farms are commencing with planting season, hemp and CBD and businesses continue to seek out loans and disaster relief money.

Federal judge orders New York company to stop distributing hempseed oil after FDA’s repeated warnings

Published June 2, 2020

A federal judge has entered an order of permanent injunction to stop a New York company from selling unapproved and misbranded drugs until it complies with the law.

Former Walmart executive to head up two divisions for CBD processor

Published June 2, 2020

Neptune Wellness Solutions, a Laval, Quebec-based hemp processor and CBD manufacturer, has appointed a former Walmart executive to head up its Biodroga business unit and recently formed Health and Wellness Innovation Division as senior vice president.