Hemp Vs. Marijuana: Industry Tensions Rise Amid Rejection Of Cannabis Legalization In Florida, The Dakotas
Tensions within the U.S. cannabis industry have intensified, particularly within the U.S. Cannabis Council (USCC), where conflicts between hemp companies and large marijuana operators have come to the forefront. These internal disputes are unfolding against the backdrop of recent rejections of adult use marijuana legalization in Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Industry “Civil War” Over Cannabis Control
Robert Hoban, a prominent figure in the cannabis sector, recently addressed what he terms the industry’s “civil war.” In his recent article in Forbes, Hoban questioned the future of the market: “Will the cannabis market be controlled by a small group of publicly-traded, multi-billion dollar vertically-integrated marijuana companies… or will cannabis be produced and distributed by farmers and small businesses?”
Hoban argues that this question underscores the high stakes in the battle between large multi-state operators (MSOs) and independent hemp producers.
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The USCC, a key cannabis industry association, recently rejected applications from several hemp companies seeking board membership. These companies, including Mood, Apotheca and Kight Law, aimed to collaborate …