Hemp & CBD Legal & Compliance Consulting Key Differences from Cannabis Consulting

• Hemp is federally legal (as of the 2018 Farm Bill), but still heavily regulated at the state level.
• THC limits (0.3% delta-9 THC) are critical—testing and compliance protocols vary by state.
• More freedom for online sales, interstate commerce, and product shipping—but labeling, advertising, and claims are closely watched by the FDA and FTC.
• Often includes FDA, USDA, and DEA considerations, especially for ingestibles.

Core Services You Can Offer

1. Hemp Licensing & Registration
   • Help farms, processors, and brands get licensed with state agriculture departments.
   • Navigate USDA rules for states without their own hemp program.
2. CBD Product Compliance
   • Review products for label compliance (ingredients, QR codes, batch numbers).
   • Help avoid unapproved health claims that could trigger FDA warnings.
3. SOP Development for Hemp Farms and Processors
   • Guide clients in building compliant practices for cultivation, harvest, storage, and testing.
   • Includes sampling and lab testing protocols.
4. THC Compliance and Lab Test Review
   • Review Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for proper cannabinoid levels.
   • Help clients avoid exceeding the legal 0.3% delta-9 THC limit.
5. Retail & E-Commerce Risk Assessment
   • Evaluate compliance for online stores selling CBD topicals, gummies, tinctures, etc.
   • Ensure shipping restrictions, payment processing, and age gates are in place.
6. FDA & FTC Risk Mitigation
   • Audit marketing copy, packaging, and influencer campaigns for compliance.
   • Educate clients on what they can say (e.g., "promotes relaxation") vs. what they cannot ("cures anxiety").
7. State-by-State Guidance
   • Provide tailored strategies for entering specific state markets, especially for ingestibles which are regulated differently everywhere.

Revenue Model Ideas

• Flat Fee for Licensing Packages – Example: $2,500–$7,500 per client
• Label & Website Compliance Review – $500–$2,000 per product/brand
• Monthly Retainers for Evolving Regulations – $1,000–$3,000/month
• On-Demand Legal Copy Review – For email marketing, packaging, blogs
• Workshops or Digital Courses – Build a scalable passive income stream

Niches You Can Specialize In

• Functional wellness products (CBD + mushrooms, adaptogens, etc.)
• Pet CBD brands (these face unique marketing and label restrictions)
• E-commerce brands (who ship nationally and internationally)
• White-label manufacturers (help multiple brands stay compliant under one roof)
• FDA-focused compliance (very few do this well in the hemp space)

Tools You Might Offer

• Compliance templates (labeling checklists, SOP samples, COA review forms)
• Real-time compliance alert service (via email or app)
• Compliance health score or audit report for new clients