There is another grey area of research that is progressing. Under current law, any cannabis-based research conducted in the U.S. must use research-grade cannabis from the nation`s only provider: the National Center for Natural Products Research Program at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy`s Marijuana Program. This configuration exists because of the status of Schedule I cannabis. [1] However, if hemp-derived CBD is no longer on federal lists, it will raise questions among medical and scientific researchers studying CBD products and their effects as to whether they should source from Mississippi. This will likely require additional guidance from the FDA (the Food and Drug Administration, which oversees drug trials), the DEA (the Drug Enforcement Administration, which requires research-grade cannabis to come from Mississippi), and NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse, which administers the research-grade cannabis cultivation contract) to ensure researchers don`t inadvertently violate regulations. These new rules provide much-needed advice to farmers and others involved in industrial hemp production. Importantly, we now have a better idea of how the plant is sampled and tested for its THC content and what happens when a plant exceeds the 0.3% THC limit. The USDA acknowledged some of the uncertainty surrounding testing, understanding that a farmer can do everything right, but still has a “hot crop” and shouldn`t be penalized too much for results beyond his control. Moreover, the rules, thankfully, do not make it harder to obtain reliable agricultural workers, and they affirm that states that have not legalized hemp must not interfere with the interstate transportation of crops. State legislators are doing their best to simplify the framework for growing, processing and navigating the industrial hemp market. Farmers interested in growing hemp can obtain permits on the PDA website. Hemp testing labs must be registered with the DEA by January 1, 2023 to test hemp for compliance.
As advocates for hemp and cannabis practices, we regularly conduct research on the evolution of hemp laws in states across the country. Understanding the legal benefits and pitfalls is crucial for anyone growing or thinking about hemp. To give you a head start in understanding the domestic market, we`ve compiled a list of the best – and worst – states for hemp cultivation: It is true that hemp policy in the United States has been radically changed by this new legislation. However, some misconceptions remain about the exact effect of this policy change. But among the many other hemp-friendly states, New York stands out a bit. The regulatory structure is clear, application forms are simple and filing fees are minimal ($500). The state has no restrictions on the number of acres that can be used by farmers to grow hemp. Can hemp or hemp-related products be shipped by the U.S. Postal Service? The state of Illinois passed the Industrial Hemp Act in spring 2019, which allows farmers to obtain a license to grow hemp. However, if the THC content of hemp is greater than 0.7%, it must be destroyed.
“(Seeds) can travel nine to 12 miles and ruin a marijuana crop,” Cornie said. “If you`re a pot grower, you don`t want to have a hemp grain nearby.” The license for industrial hemp is processed by the state`s pilot program. The state has facilitated the licensing of industrial hemp and the expansion of cultivation. The state licensed more than 1,000 farmers in 2019. The Oregon Department of Agriculture is widely praised for its regulatory and agricultural expertise and ensures that hemp growers understand the rules and best practices for growing and harvesting hemp. Four major agricultural companies, namely Tree of Life Seeds Inc., Arkansas Hemp Genetics LLC, Friedrich Enterprises Inc. and Ozrak Botanical Farms LLC, have been licensed by their state`s Arkansas Plant Board to grow industrial hemp. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Commerce and Consumer Protection continues to regulate hemp production under the 2014 pilot program. The hemp plant is also drought-resistant, Mead said, which is useful in a state with a desert climate that is expected to see an increase in low-water years as the climate changes. Hempitecture has been in business since 2013, but operated in a legal gray area when it comes to handling and transportation, Mead said.
The company used to source hemp from Montana and other parts of the Northwest, but legalization allows it to bring the supply chain to Idaho. Farmers grow hemp for manufacturers looking for cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG) for their oils, lotions, foods and beverages.