Missouri’s Hemp Industry Leaders Band Together in Call to State
Category: USDA
(Greenway) – Missouri Hemp Trade Association, Missouri Hemp Association, and Missouri Hemp Producers Association have joined together with other industry leaders in a call for action to Gov. Mike Parson and Missouri Department of Agriculture.
After reviewing the USDA suggested guidelines for state programs and testing, farmers and members from around the state reached out to their respective leadership voicing their disapproval. They have reached out to neighboring states to fight back against what industry leaders have called unfair and overzealous restriction.
“If you follow what’s written, they are taking the legs out from under the industry,” Tyler Morgan, President of Missouri Hemp Trade Association said. “CBD as it is now could just be gone – 80 percent or more of what was grown last year wouldn’t exist.”
As a result, these leaders have called upon the Governor and Missouri Department of Agriculture to move forward with an independent state controlled program without the oversight of the USDA and without submitting a USDA plan proposal.
Morgan said of the letter, “It’s time for Missouri to move forward under our own laws. The USDA has given us that option since our law is authorized under the 2014 Farm Bill. We need to ensure that we keep our voice beyond the end of the comment period and extend our reach to our surrounding states so that we can influence this in the right direction.”
For their part the Missouri Department of Agriculture is working to establish regulations and procedures in advance of the 2020 industrial hemp growing season. As part of the rulemaking process, the Department is asking for public comment on the proposed industrial hemp rules. The comment period comes to an end on from December 1, 2019. To view and comment on the proposed rules, click here.
Alternately, USDA is also accepting comment for the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program interim final rule. The comment period continues through December 30, 2019. You may submit comment on the USDA rules here.
The U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program interim final rule outlines provisions for the USDA to approve plans submitted by States and Indian Tribes for the domestic production of hemp and establishes a Federal plan for producers in States or territories of Indian tribes that do not have their own USDA-approved plan.
