Current Policy
Since 2014, every Agricultural Act, also known as the Farm Bill, has defined hemp and broadened how we may grow it, initially for research purposes and now for commercial production. Finally, in 2018, the 45th President of the United States signed into law a new definition recognizing hemp as an agricultural commodity. However, this critical step towards legalizing hemp farming nationwide did not account for industry nuances when growing and processing diverse crops, particularly grain and fiber.
The language that became law assigned authority to the USDA based on a limited and outdated belief. The idea is that because hemp is part of the Cannabis genus, regardless of its target production, it must be subject to THC testing. Although the intent behind this testing is valid in ensuring producers are not propagating a DEA-controlled substance, the overbearing perception and management of THC create unnecessary challenges for a historically profitable and productive crop.
The current singular plan that manages three very different crops remains problematic. It puts a cost burden and red tape on farmers who require a more efficient process to succeed and increase acreage to meet demands for grain and fiber. Montana’s USDA-approved state Hemp Plan, follows performance-based sampling and remediation methods based on risk for higher levels of THC. Therefore, the idea that certain hemp varieties may be exempt from THC testing is not new, and it’s time to make this federal policy.
Why We Need An Industrial Hemp Exemption
Hemp has been growing, again, in the United States for the last seven (7) years. Pilot programs under the authority of the State Departments of Agriculture collected data about the varieties grown and have adhered to and strictly enforced THC testing protocols. It’s time we leverage that information to reduce the burden on hemp farmers who grow solely for grain and fiber. The end-use products that result from their production are already recognized and exempted from the Controlled Substances Act. So why should we continue to burden the farmers who grow these crops with background checks, costly sampling, and testing protocols?
In summary, it's simple. Producers who choose to grow hemp for grain and/or fiber purposes are at very low, if any risk at all, of harvesting an illegal crop. Therefore, federal law should not mandate testing and instead enforce reasonable programs that require harvest designation and visual inspection of hemp fields, both of which are far less burdensome to the American farmer.
Industrial Hemp Act of 2023
Grain and Fiber Industrial Hemp- Exemption Framework
Creates a separation by definition and regulation of industrial hemp fiber and grain from cannabinoid or flower hemp. The bill language maintains the current 2018 Farm Bill regulatory framework for cannabinoid hemp production with the following new framework for industrial hemp production:
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New statutory definition for industrial hemp for grain and fiber - creating a distinction fromcannabinoid hemp or dual/tri-purpose cannabinoid crops
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Same 2018 Farm Bill licensing with added designation for only grain/fiber production & harvest (including GPS coordinates of land on which hemp is produced & FSA report)
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Signed declaration that producer will only harvest grain/fiber and will not harvest or sell flower material or extract any resin from crop (note- full use of hemp seed/grain authorized)
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No background check required
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Required visual inspection (i.e. in person, video, aerial with drones, or unmanned aircraft) to confirm uniform crop production consistent with production designation on license
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No sampling or testing for uniform production consistent with production designation
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Additional exemptions for known producers using certified seed/varieties
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If visual inspection reveals inconsistent crop production with designation, the Department may detain crop and require documented verification of production (i.e. seed/variety receipts, sales contract, planting report) and reserves State, Tribe, or Territory right to require harvest inspection
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If a producer fails the visual inspection, document verification, and harvest inspection, the State, Tribe, or Territory reserves the right to conduct chemical testing on harvested material that fails the visual inspection to determine compliance or civil and/or criminal enforcement
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Intentional violations: crop destruction, fine/civil penalty, restricted from program participation for 5 years, potential criminal charges for high-THC production
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Each state, tribal jurisdiction, and territory is authorized to determine the severity of civil and/or
criminal charges for knowing non-compliance with an election to solely grow industrial hemp
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Sponsored By:
Supported By:
Aaron Diaz
Abdulnur Zaid
Adil Chaudhry
Alec "Andy" Bennett
Alec Bennett
Alex Brockman
Alex Fredericks
Alex Seleznov
Alice Kolbe
Align Agro
Allissa Halker
Alona Thompson
Alyse Russel
Amanda Terpstra
Amanda Worthen
Amy Pursell
Amy Williams
Andrea Dove
Andrea Franklin
Andrea Sarchet
Andrew LoPresti
Andrew Seegars
Andy Elliott
Angela Cheatwood
Angela Robinson
Anjli Kumar
Anke Roggenbuck
Anna Betz
Anne Barga
Anthony Sorantino
Arabella Cook
Armani Muhammad
Arthur Walker
Ashley Powell
Ashley Rohrer
Axel Hinrichs
Barbara Filippone
Barbara Peachey
Baylee Jennings
Bear Fiber
Beau Whitney
Becky Kincaid
Ben Brimlow
Bernard Bille
Bernard Ries
Beth Lawrence
Beth Stukenholtz
Beth Wittmer
Bette Vetter
Bill Brockmiller
Bill Shepard
Bish Enterprises
Blain Becktold
Bob Doyle
Bob Green
Bob Hiatt
Bobby Hughes
Brett Brown
Brevin Perkins
Brian Armstrong
Brielle Lesh-Siminitus
Britt Berg
Brooke Carlson
Brooke Demos
Brooke Henderson
Bryan Wilson
Cameron McIntosh
Cameron Stepanek
Camille Holladay
Canna Markets Group
Cannon Republic Feed and Fiber
Carl Ovulley
Carlos Ovulley
Carlos Romero
Carly Keller
Carol Pierpont
Caroline Heidl Hall
Carrie Roy
Casey Albarran
Cassondra Cadavieco
Catherine Pierce
Cathiejo Carter
Chad Frey
Chad Rosen
Charlene Matila
Charles Levine
Charles Streitwieser
Chelsea Peterson
Cheryl Ellis
Cheryl Fergen
Chris Johnstone
Chris Kinsel
Chris Miller
Christian Betz
Christian Gray
Christian Schoenhoff
Christie Apple
Christopher Christensen
Chuck Cessna
Claire DGaia
Claire Manning
Clare King
Claudia Gale
Clint Raaf
Colin Howard
Colin Wilson
Colton Easterday
Colton Fox Zemaitis
Connie Bloom
Connie Sprong
Constance Tate
Corinne Cagle
Craig Lewis
Cynthia Bish
Cynthia Murdough
Damon Hess
Dan Smith
Daniel DeShane
Daniel Evans
Daniel Falk
Daniel Higbee
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Donald Chin
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Er Levy
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Esther Bell
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Field Theory Foods
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Fred Villa
Frederick Henderson
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FyberX
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Georgia Stansell
Geran Tarr
Glenn Head
Green Tree Ag
Greg Sindt
Gregory Bayne
Guy Bummolo
Haley Lucas
Heather Rod
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Heidi Lopez
Heidi MacDonald
Heidi Semder
Hemp Building Institute
Hemp Harvest Works
Hemp Solutions LLC
Hemp Traders
Hempitecture
HempWood
Henry Ostaszewski
Hergert Milling
Holly Bell
Houston Hemporium
Human Rights
ihemp Michigan
iHempX
International Hemp
J R Maloney
JA Clay
Jacob Allen
Jacob Waddell
Jacquelyn Smith
Jade Berreau
Jake Odegard
James Booze
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julius williams
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Konopius
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KS Hemp Consortium
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Larry Walter
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Let's Talk Hemp
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Lonestar Industrial Materials
Lori Daytner
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Midwest Hemp Technology
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Minnesota Hemp Farms, Inc
Monte Goodrich
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Nathan Snyder
Nathanael Berry
National Industrial Hemp Coalition
Natosha Wallace
Nebraska Screw Press
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NoCo Hemp Expo
Olaf Isele
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Panda Biotech
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Patirick Van Meter
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Paul Breaux
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Planet Based Foods Global
Prairie PROducers LLC
Priya Varadachary
Queen of Hearts
Rachel Berry
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Ramon Gil
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Rebecca Adams
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Revolution Hemp, LLC
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Russell Dial
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Texas Hemp Coalition
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Virginia Hemp Coalition
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