Federal hemp regulations released by USDA

Tuesday USDA released the first draft of White House approved industrial hemp rules. 

The interim final rule released today gives states and applicants a view of the regulations for approval of plans submitted by states and Indian tribes for the domestic production of hemp. 

Missouri previously released its own hemp program guidelines and rules , but has stated that the state will align Missouri’s final regulations to conform with USDA requirements and standards. 

With federal oversight and regulation states will no longer be capable of restricting interstate shipping of lawfully produced hemp.

States may continue to regulate their own intrastate crop production.

Included in the draft rules are procedures for tracking hemp grow operations, acceptable testing methods, and proper disposal of non-compliant plants. 

Some of Missouri’s hemp industry leaders were quick to scrutinize some parts of the USDA rules including testing requirements.

“Samples must be tested using post-decarboxylation or other similarly reliable analytical methods where the total THC concentration level reported accounts for the conversion of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) into THC.” 

Additionally USDA released guidelines for sampling and testing hemp. 

With USDA rules created the state will now submit their hemp program for approval.

Over 500,000 acres of hemp was grown nationwide this year. With adoption of the new rules the industry will move toward standardization.