U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the establishment of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. This program, as required by the 2018 Farm Bill, creates a consistent regulatory framework around hemp production throughout the United States.
Later this week, an interim final rule formalizing the program will be published in the Federal Register that will allow hemp to be grown under federally-approved plans and make hemp producers eligible for a number of agricultural programs. The rule includes provisions for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to approve hemp production plans developed by states and Indian tribes including: requirements for maintaining information on the land where hemp is produced; testing the levels of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol; disposing of plants not meeting necessary requirements; and licensing requirements. It also establishes a federal plan for hemp producers in states or territories of Indian tribes that do not have their own approved hemp production plan.
The interim final rule becomes effective upon publication in the Federal Register.
USDA also developed guidelines for sampling and testing procedures that are being issued concurrently with this rule. These documents provide additional information for sampling agents and hemp testing laboratories.
Once state and tribal plans are in place, hemp producers will be eligible for a number of USDA programs, including insurance coverage through Whole-Farm Revenue Protection.
Governor Brad Little issued a statement on Tuesday following the USDA’s announcement.
“We expected new federal rules to address the transportation of hemp across state lines. From the start, I stated that we need to be sure the production and shipping of industrial hemp is not a front to smuggle marijuana or other illicit drugs into and around the state. I am reviewing the federal rules closely with my team, and we are building a plan to protect the health and safety of Idaho citizens when the interstate transportation of hemp becomes legal under the new federal rules. The plan will be a stopgap measure to address this issue until the Idaho Legislature develops a permanent regulatory framework around hemp.”
