The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released the details of its domestic hemp production program. The program will create a regulatory framework around U.S. hemp production. In the regulatory process, states will provide a hemp production plan to the USDA. The agency will evaluate those plans within 60 days of submission. States still have the choice to authorize or not authorize hemp production. “There may be a few states that choose not to authorize hemp in their borders,” explains USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach. “States can be more restrictive than the farm bill, but they can’t be less restrictive. We believe most states will submit plans to the USDA.” An interim final rule will be published in the Federal Register later this week. When the rule is published, it takes effect immediately. A public comment period will open once the rule is published. Hemp sampling and testing guidelines will also be released with the final rule. Read the interim final rule.
