In support of hemp pilot programs, USDA approves all parts of hemp plant in the application process; Congressman Comer to introduce bill to remove hemp from Schedule 1.

Denver, Colorado—07/05/2017—On Wednesday, June 28th, National Hemp Association Board Chairman Geoff Whaling met with senior U.S. Department of Agriculture staff, with the encouragement of Agricultural Secretary Perdue. Geoff initiated the meeting along with Erica McBride of the Pennsylvania Industrial Hemp Council. This was the first meeting that Secretary Perdue and his team have afforded the Industrial Hemp Industry.

Meeting attendees, along with Geoff and Erica, were Jonathan Miller representing the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, as well as representatives from Senator Merkley and Representative Comer’s offices. Representing Secretary Perdue was Chief of Staff, Heidi Green; Acting General Counsel, Steve Vaden; and Michele Esch, Acting Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary for Research along with senior USDA Policy staff. The meeting reaffirmed critical elements of the working relationship that the hemp industry has established with the USDA since the enactment of Sec. 7606 of the 2014 Farm Bill.

Under the new administration, the USDA will continue to treat all parts of the hemp plant as being covered under the current Farm Bill and will not attempt to delineate parts of the hemp plant as practiced by the DEA. The USDA will continue to support the hemp pilot projects permitted under Sec. 7606, and continue to welcome grant and loan applications, as well as all other applicable funding opportunities offered by USDA and NIFA.

“All hemp industry participants are encouraged to participate in these funding opportunities,” stated Whaling. “USDA confirmed that nine Industrial Hemp funding requests to NIFA are being processed and that USDA has encouraged those who submitted previous requests to resubmit them."

While the USDA does intend to fully support hemp under the existing regulatory environment, it too welcomes the opportunity to engage with the DEA in differences over legal and regulatory interpretation - a stance that should prove helpful in moving forward with the introduction of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2018.

“USDA also offered to provide a quick response to any Secretary or Commissioner of Agriculture who is looking for clarification on either the Farm Bill or SOP, which may be preventing the States that have enacted enabling Industrial Hemp legislation from advancing research," said Whaling. “This is a welcoming change over the previous administration."

INDUSTRIAL HEMP FARMING ACT of 2018

Corresponding with the USDA meeting, Whaling had the occasion to update Representative James Comer and Senator Bob Casey, a Member of the US Senate Agricultural Committee.

In addition, hemp leaders from throughout the US were invited to a legislative update regarding the status of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2018 and its introduction to Congress during the current session. Jonathan Miller hosted the conference call with Kentucky Congressman James Comer who is the lead sponsor of the bill and who has been a tireless advocate of hemp as a de-scheduled agricultural crop.

Congressman Comer hopes to have the bill introduced in July, while continuing to gain key support throughout Congress and the committees that are most influential to getting the legislation passed. While legislative compromise is expected, the bill’s primary purpose is to remove hemp from the Schedule I substance list; set workable levels for THC content; allow states to self-regulate the cultivation of hemp. With these limited legislative approvals, hemp will be able to move forward in dramatic ways, encouraging both investment and economic growth within the hemp industry.

The National Hemp Association looks forward to the introduction of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2018 and will provide Congressman Comer and his co-sponsors our full and committed support in passage of the legislation.

“There is new leadership in the USDA, on the Hill and within our industry,” said Whaling. "I am confident that this group will advance our industry to a level never before achieved."

About National Hemp Association:

The National Hemp Association is a leading 501(c)6 trade association that supports the growth and development of all aspects of the emerging industrial hemp industry. Based in Colorado, the association serves hemp farmers, processors, manufacturers, researchers, policy makers, elected and appointed officials, the investment community and citizens who are in favor of the re-birth of industrial hemp as a major U.S. crop. More information at: www.NationalHempAssociation.org.