Ohio Farmer

The new report examines the requirements for state hemp programs prescribed by the 2018 Farm Bill, and contains some notable approaches and highlights.

October 23, 2020

2 Min Read
A close up of a hemp plant field with a sunrise in the background
HEMP: A new report takes a close look at hemp production and the different approaches states are taking to regulate it under the 2018 Farm Bill. chriss_ns/Getty Images

A new report for the National Agricultural Law Center examines the different approaches states are taking to regulate hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill. Innovative State Approaches to Hemp Regulations under the 2018 Farm Bill is available at Ohio State University’s Farm Office website.

Over the last few years, the agricultural sector has been buzzing with excitement about the potential of a new crop — industrial hemp. For years, hemp was increasingly regulated across the country because it was legally classified to be the same as marijuana, another type of cannabis.

In 1970, the Controlled Substances Act completely illegalized hemp production. This criminalized approach to hemp changed with the 2018 Farm Bill, however, which removed hemp from the definition of “marijuana” and gave states a chance to create their own hemp regulation programs. Many states seized the opportunity.

As of May 5, USDA had approved hemp plans from 16 states: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. 

This white paper examines the requirements for state hemp programs prescribed by the 2018 Farm Bill. Even within these “requirements,” there is room for states to innovate. The report looks at how they’ve done so while summarizing the unique aspects of state hemp programs that go beyond the USDA’s minimum requirements. There are many creative approaches that states are taking in regulating hemp production, and the report contains some of the notable approaches and highlights the similarities and differences among the approved state hemp regulatory programs.

USDA’s National Agriculture Library funded the research on this project, which was conducted in partnership with the National Agricultural Law Center.

Essman, J.D., is an OSU Extension Farm Office senior research associate in the agricultural and resource law program. Email [email protected] or visit farmoffice.osu.edu.

Source: OSUE, 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.

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