The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill established industrial hemp as an industrial commodity—not a controlled substance—in the state of Alabama. Farm Bill legislation defines hemp as all parts of the plant less than 0.3% THC, including derivatives, extracts, and cannabinoids. Tetrahydrocannabinol—or THC— is the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects. 

The cultivation and production of industrial hemp is illegal without a grower’s permit obtained from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI).

The ADAI, Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) are partnering to provide growers with production information and growing guidelines. Applications for the 2020 growing season will be available through the ADAI. The anticipated dates for accepting hemp applications for the 2020 Hemp Program will be October 7 through November 14, 2019.  Hemp applications will be open to growers, processors/handlers, and universities.

Alabama Extension professionals will be providing guidance to Alabama hemp growers through the cultivation and harvesting season. Though Extension personnel cannot collect or transport samples, they will be able to offer research-based solutions to weed and insect control issues.

Related:2019 hemp harvest underway

Source: Alabama Cooperative Extension System, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.