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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.

UK-based investment company enters CBD market with acquisition of Love Hemp

Published June 1, 2020

A London-based cannabis investment company focused on investing in or buying companies operating in the CBD wellness and medicinal cannabis industries, has made its first investment in the hemp and CBD space.

Chart: Kentucky warns hemp industry to ‘proceed with caution’ in light of new data

Published June 1, 2020 | By Laura Drotleff

State agriculture officials in Kentucky on Friday released production data from the 2019 season and revealed the number of licensed growers, hemp processors and handlers as well as licensed indoor and outdoor production acreage for the 2020 season.

FDA continues prowl for COVID-19 product claims with warning letter to 8th CBD company

Published May 29, 2020

Since the beginning of March, federal food and drug regulators have issued warning letters to 64 companies for selling products under claims that they will prevent, treat, mitigate diagnose or cure COVID-19, including eight to CBD companies.

Virgin Islands, four tribes receive federal approval for hemp production plans

Published May 29, 2020

A U.S. territory and four American Indian tribes have received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for their 2020 hemp production plans, just as hemp planting season is about to officially begin across most of the country.

Hemp Industry Daily, MJBizDaily host hemp, marijuana groups live on Leafwire

Published May 26, 2020

Hemp Industry Daily’s sister publication and parent organization Marijuana Business Daily has launched two cannabis-related discussion groups on Leafwire, a LinkedIn-style digital service for hemp and marijuana industry professionals.

CBD manufacturer recalls injectable products after FDA warning

Published May 26, 2020

Another CBD company has issued a voluntary product recall after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration flagged it for making unsubstantiated claims.

Chart: Hemp flower production costs not sustainable, but hempseed outlook attractive, analyst says

Published May 26, 2020 | By Laura Drotleff

Hemp production in 2019 wasn’t as simple or as profitable as many growers anticipated, as production costs far outpaced profits in most cases.

Judge OKs $77 million sale of GenCanna Global assets out of bankruptcy

Published May 20, 2020

A federal bankruptcy judge has approved the sale of the bulk of the assets for GenCanna Global, a hemp processor and CBD product manufacturer based in Winchester, Kentucky, to MGG Investment Group, a New York-based, private direct lender and one of GenCanna’s creditors.

Insurance crucial for hemp, CBD businesses to mitigate risk in uncertain times

Published May 20, 2020 | By Hemp Industry Daily staff

Hemp and CBD companies, like other agricultural commodities and consumer product goods industries, are liable for the products they put on store shelves and in consumers’ hands. That’s why it’s important for farmers and businesses to secure insurance and other provisions as risk mitigation.

Ag biotech firm raises $6.8 million to fund hemp division

Published May 19, 2020

A publicly traded agricultural technology company announced Monday that it has raised $6.8 million through warrants to fund new opportunities within its hemp division.

Florida CBD company issues voluntary product recall for heavy lead content

Published May 18, 2020

A Florida company is recalling a batch of CBD oil voluntarily after a state agency tested the product and found that it contained dangerous levels of lead.

Tennessee CBD retailers’ ‘Operation Candy Crush’ lawsuits moving forward

Published May 18, 2020

Three CBD lawsuits filed by Tennessee CBD retailers against the county, sheriff and district attorneys for closing their legal stores during a sting operation in 2018 will move forward following a court ruling on Friday, despite the defendants’ appeal to dismiss the allegations against them.