Holly Bell

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Overview of Florida's Hemp Program

Holly Bell, VP Regulatory, Flora Growth 

The 2018 federal Farm Bill allows states to create a hemp regulatory program that meets certain regulatory criteria. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has reviewed the Farm Bill requirements and worked quickly to draft the required regulatory plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for review. FDACS is also working with the Florida Legislature to ensure that hemp and CBD (cannabidiol) products produced from hemp under an approved regulatory plan will comply with all Florida statutes and ensure consumer protection.  Ms. Bell will present an overview of Florida's Hemp Program from her perspective of being the former Director of Cannabis.

After a career in banking and financial services, Holly Bell consulted on cannabis business issues in numerous states. Ms. Bell worked to build the infrastructure to support the creation of Tennessee's cannabis industry, following passage of that state's industrial hemp legislation. A native of Indiana with family roots in northeast Florida, Ms. Bell earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Purdue University.

In her role as Director of Cannabis for FDACS, Ms. Bell oversaw the development of rules, works directly with scientific experts, and ensures Commissioner Fried's vision for cannabis in Florida continues moving forward. Ms.Bell worked closely with the Department's Division of Plant Industry, Food Safety, and AES on developing Florida's hemp industry, including the production, processing, inspecting, and manufacturing of industrial hemp. She also worked with the Florida Department of Health as it relates to medical marijuana edibles and consumer issues.  Ms. Bell also worked closely with the Commissioner's industrial hemp and medical marijuana advisory committees as well as the Hemp Advisory Council.  

Ms. Bell is now VP Regulatory for Flora Growth.