High Stakes: How The US Accidentally Legalized Weed

The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill opened the floodgates to hemp farms from
coast to coast. Spearheaded by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the subsequent
surge in hemp production created a surplus amount of CBD, which caused
commodity prices to crash, sending extractors and processors scrambling to
find alternative opportunities to convert the glut into fresh revenue
streams.

*High Stakes: How The US Accidentally Legalized Weed* explores America’s
unexpected path to cannabis legalization brought by this change in federal
legislation of hemp.
[image: High Stakes Documentary]

In the documentary, director Rob Rosen explores how a loophole in the Farm
Bill means that synthetic cannabinoids, including delta-8, can be created
from CBD using dangerous chemicals and sold legally in states where
adult-use cannabis remains illegal as long as they contain less than 0.3%
delta-9-THC.

“The Senate legalized cannabis without knowing it,” summarizes Kyle Jagger
from *Marijuana Moment.*

Through interviews with experts, activists and policymakers, *High Stakes* presents
a multifaceted view of cannabis legalization as a complex issue that
reflects broader societal changes. The film aims to inform viewers about
the implications of legalization on public health, criminal justice and
economic opportunities while also addressing ongoing challenges in
regulating the industry.

Lume Cannabis’ Chief Cultivation and Production Officer Kevin Kuethe
explains that hemp companies don’t have to go through the same expensive
third-party testing that cannabis companies have to. This lack of
regulation has allowed dangerous products to flood the market.

The documentary also looks at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his
well-documented distaste for cannabis. “I don’t want this state reeking of
marijuana,” Gov. DeSantis is quoted as saying on why he’s against legal
cannabis. Yet, as one of the undercover guests in the documentary, he
vetoed a bill that would ban the hemp industry from selling dangerously
unregulated and synthetic THC products.

The Sunshine State’s Amendment 3 fell short of the 60 percent supermajority
needed to approve state constitutional amendments. It would’ve allowed
adult use sales from existing medical marijuana dispensaries, with the
potential for the Legislature to license additional retailers. The measure
was opposed by the Florida Republican Party and Gov. DeSantis.

*High Stakes: How The US Accidentally Legalized Weed* provides the viewer
with an insightful commentary on America’s changing cannabinoid landscape.

Kuethe sums it up: “Marijuana has a lot of beneficial effects and qualities
for human beings, which is why this plant is so popular.”

Right on the button.

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