SD Ends Industrial Hemp Program
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden signed legislation to end the state’s industrial hemp program. This bill returns authority to the federal government, eliminating state-level oversight and costs.
Published March 19, 2026
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden signed legislation to end the state’s industrial hemp program. This bill returns authority to the federal government, eliminating state-level oversight and costs.Published July 14, 2025
A new rotational crop is starting to make its way onto some farms in the Northern Plains. Agricultural Utilization Research Institute Director of Business and Industry Development Harold Stanislawski says there's a place for hemp in production agriculture. "I think…Published November 5, 2019
Despite USDA’s release of regulatory guidelines for industrial hemp, the crop will not be grown legally in South Dakota. Governor Kristi Noem issued a statement, saying she remains opposed to industrial hemp because of the impact on public safety and…Published March 14, 2019
The South Dakota legislative session has wrapped up. One disappointment for the South Dakota Farmer’s Union is Governor Noem's veto of industrial hemp. Lobbyist Mitch Richter says there is enough interest in the state to discuss further in the next…Published March 3, 2019
The South Dakota legislative session is winding down and a bill to legalize industrial hemp is still not getting verbal support from Governor Kristi Noem. South Dakota Farmers Union lobbyist Mitch Richter is hopeful Noem remains open. "She came out…Published February 21, 2019
Minnesota lawmakers are considering legislation to legalize industrial hemp. Minnesota Senator Kent Eken says the state is in a good position to produce the crop, because of their already established pilot program. "I think this has the potential to be a…Published February 11, 2019
Governor Kristi Noem told reporters on Friday South Dakota isn’t ready for industrial hemp. "I would prefer we wait to see what the federal guidelines look like and make sure we have a system set up correctly," says Noem. "I want…Published December 31, 2018
The North Dakota Department of Agriculture doesn’t plan to continue their pilot program for industrial hemp in 2019. Instead, licensing will be delayed until NDDA can adjust to the new farm bill. Industrial hemp will be addressed in the state…Get a weekly digest from RRFN to stay up-to-date on all the latest news in agriculture.