Bad seeds cause Kentucky hemp crop to tank, suit alleges; Omar Abdallah, Rose Law Group attorney handling hemp-related issues, weighs in

By Aimee Green | The Oregonian/OregonLive

A Kentucky-based company that produces CBD has filed a $44 million lawsuit against an Oregon company it claims sold it nearly worthless hemp seeds that ruined a massive 2019 crop.

The crop was destined to help fulfill the country’s booming demand for CBD, a plant extract soaring in popularity as a treatment for health problems including anxiety and insomnia.

But Elemental Processing of Lexington, Kentucky, claims those plans tanked when HP Farms of Troutdale sold it more than 6 million seeds that were mostly “male” instead of “feminized,” as promised. The suit says male seeds sell for less than a penny each while feminized seeds cost as must as $1 each because female plants produce a CBD-rich flower.

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“In Arizona, growers are responsible for buying their own seeds and ensuring their crop will produce a total delta-9 THC concentration of not greater than 0.3%, so it’s important they buy it from reputable seed sellers.”

~ Omar Abdallah