Lawmakers from Oregon advised state agricultural professionals on Monday to start up a pilot project that would let farmers start planting industrial hemp crops before next year’s growing season. The lawmakers claimed the program missed this year’s season due to worries in the state legislature over hemp’s coexistence with the marijuana industry. These concerns arose from the fact that marijuana became allowed for adult recreational use in July. Potential hemp farmers face a numerous amount of problems. The main problem is that cannabis is illegal at the federal level although prosecutors – with caution – have allowed state tests to advance.
Lawmakers said in their statement – which was sent to Katy Coba (Oregon Department of Agriculture Director) – that preparations in last year’s Farm Bill permit for states and universities to research potential pros of farming hemp commercially. Oregon has distributed thirteen licenses to growers since adding rules to allow the hemp program in January. Although able to, not all growers have begun planting yet according to the Department of Agriculture. State officials are currently looking in on farms to ensure that they are keeping up with hemp growing laws. These laws can be very strict; for example, growers can only farm hemp for a $1,500 licensing fee. In addition, testing is necessary to make sure that their crops do not possess enough intoxicating chemicals to drive people under the influence. Industrial hemp farmed within the state must have below 0.3% THC, which is the main ingredient in marijuana.
Marijuana is a resourceful plant used for many things. It may be used to get high, and hemp. In addition, it may be used to make clothes, paper, fuels, foods, and even cosmetics. These are the different ways that the Cannabis sativa plant may be used. Nationally, over nineteen states have legalized some degree of hemp production. Kentucky, Colorado, and Vermont became the first states to allow legal farming of the product, the Hemp Industries Association states. “The potential for industrial hemp production represents a great opportunity for Oregon agriculture,” the lawmakers wrote.
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