EMAIL: laurad@staging-hempindustrydaily.kinsta.cloud
PHONE: 720.213.5963

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.

Mid-Atlantic harvest preview: 75% of Pennsylvania CBD producers lack purchase contracts

Published October 4, 2019 | By Laura Drotleff

A soggy spring and humid summer have challenged hemp producers in the mid-Atlantic states, where cultivars bred for drier climates have struggled in the 2019 growing season.

Canopy Growth invests in sports nutrition company, lays groundwork for new CBD products

Published October 2, 2019

Canadian cannabis giant Canopy Growth Corp. has bought a majority stake in BioSteel Sports Nutrition, a Toronto-based producer of athletic nutrition and hydration products. The cash transaction gives the Smith Falls, Ontario-based cannabis producer a 72% stake in BioSteel on the path to 100% ownership. Terms were not disclosed. Canopy Growth says the acquisition is […]

CBD producer sues Oregon hempseed company for $44 million over ruined crop

Published October 2, 2019

A Kentucky-based CBD company filed a $44 million lawsuit against an Oregon hempseed company, claiming the hempseeds it supplied were bogus and contributed to ruining the company’s 2019 crop. Lexington-based Elemental Processing estimated it lost at least $44 million in profits after HP Farms of Troutdale, Oregon, allegedly supplied it with more than 6 million […]

Farming groups urge speedy pesticide approval for hemp

Published October 2, 2019

National hemp and farming associations are asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to hurry up and decide pesticide applications for hemp production. The American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Industrial Hemp Council asked the EPA to promptly approve the 10 applications to add hemp to the labels of currently registered pesticide products. The groups also […]

CV Sciences expands distribution to Harris Teeter, The Vitamin Shoppe

Published October 1, 2019

CBD continues to mainstream as a grocery store chain in the South has picked up distribution of a hemp-derived extract and a national supplement retailer expanded its product range. Harris Teeter, based in Matthews, North Carolina, announced Tuesday it will distribute PlusCBD Oil, manufactured by San Diego-based hemp and CBD company CV Sciences, in 150 […]

Hemp processing bottleneck could mean losses for farmers, setback for industry

Published October 1, 2019

The hemp industry is lacking the processing infrastructure it needs to turn raw hemp plants into extracts and other products, a bottleneck that could cost farmers and hopeful hemp businesses millions this year. California-based extraction machine manufacturer Delta Separations estimates the industry could see $7.5 billion worth of hemp rot in the fields because of […]

Hemp in California: Counties, cities remain divided on production

Published September 30, 2019 | By Laura Drotleff

California’s county-by-county regulatory landscape for hemp production is as varied as its actual scenery.

Midwest region harvest preview: Indiana hemp farmers put focus on fiber

Published September 20, 2019 | By Laura Drotleff

The 2019 hemp production season has been much like what many describe the hemp and CBD industry: the Wild West.

Green Growth Brands cuts nearly 5% of workforce to manage mounting expenses

Published September 17, 2019

An Ohio CBD and marijuana company has cut about 5% of its total workforce to alleviate mounting expenses.

McConnell puts pressure on FDA to expedite CBD rules

Published September 17, 2019

The senator most responsible for legalizing hemp is now trying to use a legislative finance maneuver to speed up federal rules on putting hemp extracts in food and beverages. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, introduced new language that would require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue an “enforcement […]

Hawaii health officials ban most CBD products after vape-related hospitalization

Published September 16, 2019

Health officials in Hawaii are mandating that over-the-counter CBD products be removed from store shelves after an island youth was hospitalized due to a severe respiratory illness related to vaping. Amid growing national health concerns related to the use of vaporizers, Hawaii Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson told state lawmakers last week that his […]

THC testing, transport top list of industry priorities for looming USDA rules

Published September 16, 2019 | By Laura Drotleff

As the hemp industry awaits federal regulations on how the newly legal crop can be cultivated and sold, growers and entrepreneurs are hoping the rules will help grow the industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reportedly completed work drafting the hemp rules, though they won’t be made public until the White House signs […]