However, that hasn’t stopped the Wyoming Department of Agriculture – or the state’s growers – from preparing for legalization in full force. Rep. Bunky Loucks, R-Casper, who led the charge for legalized hemp in Wyoming, said he and numerous other industry stakeholders have already been developing their own industry plans for growers around the state.

The Wyoming Hemp Association, which recently held its first meeting, is currently working with the state Department of Agriculture to build the organization in line with the plan approved by the state. Over the next few months, the group hopes to stand as a resource for growers and producers and set up an industry from scratch.

“I was very upset we didn’t find a way to do it this year,” Loucks said. “I wish the governor would have found a way to do things different. The bottom line is it’s way too late to get plants in the ground this year. But we’ve been overcoming great adversity behind the scenes, and now we’ve got this group here to help farmers get good information and good growing techniques to set people up for success.”

The USDA has indicated it won’t review state plans until its rules are finalized and in place – which Gov. Mark Gordon has chosen to respect.