Staff Report
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has established the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program, as required by the 2018 Farm Bill, to create a consistent regulatory framework for hemp production throughout the United States.
An interim final rule formalizing the program will be published in the Federal Register, which 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 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.
“At USDA, we are always excited when there are new economic opportunities for our farmers, and we hope the ability to grow hemp will pave the way for new products and markets,” said Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “We have had teams operating with all hands-on-deck to develop a regulatory framework that meets Congressional intent while seeking to provide a fair, consistent, and science-based process for states, tribes, and individual producers who want to participate in this program.”
The interim final rule becomes effective upon publication in the Federal Register.. A preview of the rule is posted on USDA’s website.
USDA also developed guidelines for sampling and testing procedures that are being issued with this rule. These documents provide additional information for sampling agents and hemp testing laboratories.
More information is available on the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program web page on the Agricultural Marketing Service website.
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. For information on available programs, visit farmers.gov/hemp.
