But others have said they heard it could be July before permits can be issued.

Christin Kamm, spokeswoman for the Agriculture Department, said she could not speak to whether there is a delay. The staff is working on it, she said.

Taylor Gage, Ricketts' director of strategic communications, said Sen. Justin Wayne's bill (LB657), which made hemp a viable agricultural crop, was just signed into law a week ago and the department is working to get the program going.

"(The Ag Department) and (Nebraska State Patrol) are currently working on how to test the product as directed by the legislation," he said.

Bish said he's been repeatedly told Ricketts supported the bill, but every time he and others negotiated the bill with the governor's office this session there was resistance. And then Ricketts took the full five days allowed to sign the bill.

"There's definitely a dragging of the feet occurring," Bish said. "But there's still opportunity if they do get it done. There could be some growth."

Even if delayed until July, he said, some grain and fiber crop could be planted and grown. But for most Nebraskans this year, it would be not so much a cash crop, but an experiment.