Exemption From Control of Certain Industrial Products and Materials Derived From the Cannabis Plant

In a separate document published today in the Federal Register, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued an interpretive rule stating that under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and DEA regulations, any product that contains any amount of tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) is a schedule I controlled substance, even if such product is made from those portions of the cannabis plant that are excluded from the CSA definition of "marihuana." (Hereafter "the interpretive rule".) In view of the interpretive rule, DEA is issuing this interim rule to exempt from control (i.e., exempt from application of the CSA) certain THC-containing industrial products, processed plant materials used to make such products, and animal feed mixtures, provided such products, materials and feed mixtures are made from those portions of the cannabis plant that are excluded from the definition of marijuana and are not used, or intended for use, for human consumption. With respect to those "hemp" products that are not exempted from control under this interim rule, a 120-day grace period is being provided for persons to dispose of existing inventories.