North Carolina Industrial Hemp Pilot Program
For centuries, industrial hemp (plant species Cannabis sativa) has been a source of fiber and oilseed used worldwide to produce a variety of industrial and consumer products. Currently, more than 30 nations grow industrial hemp as an agricultural commodity, which is sold on the world market. In the United States, however, production is strictly controlled under existing drug enforcement laws. Currently there is no large-scale commercial production in the United States and the U.S. market depends on imports.
The 113th Congress made significant changes to U.S. policies regarding industrial hemp during the omnibus farm bill debate. The Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-79) provided that certain research institutions and state departments of agriculture may grow industrial hemp, as part of an agricultural pilot program, if allowed under state laws where the institution or state department of agriculture is located. The FY2015 appropriations (P.L. 113-235) further blocked federal law enforcement authorities from interfering with state agencies, growers, and agricultural research. (From " Hemp as an agricultural commodity, " Congressional Research Service)
Hemp production has been legalized in North Carolina, but only as part of the state's pilot program as allowed under federal law. As such, it will still be awhile before the first fields are planted. The N.C. General Assembly passed Senate Bill 313 in 2015, but dictated that an Industrial Hemp Commission would need to be established to develop the rules and licensing structure necessary to stay within federal laws. The Commission will be appointed and can begin to meet after $200,000 of non-state monies is raised to fund itself. The law was modified in 2016 in House Bill 992 .
Timeline
1600s - 1900s
Hemp is grown throughout the U.S. and used mainly for its fibers.
1937
The U.S. government outlaws the production of hemp as part of the Prohibitive Marijuana Tax Act.
1942
Hemp for Victory. The U.S. government encourages farmers to grow hemp needed to make ropes and parachutes for the war effort. Prohibition resumed after the war.
1970
The Controlled Substances Act classified the Cannibus sativa plant as an illegal “schedule I drug,” which imposed strict regulations on the cultivation of industrial hemp.
2014
Congress passes the Agricultural Act of 2014, which allows for certain states to grow industrial hemp as part of an agricultural pilot program for research purposes.
2015
N.C. legislators pass the Industrial Hemp Bill (SB 313) that allows for the formation of the Industrial Hemp Commission.
May 2016
Funding is obtained to create the commission.
Oct. 2016
Appointment of the 9-member commission. Each board member will need to pass the ethics review process.
Nov. 1, 2016
First board meeting of the N.C. Industrial Hemp Commission held at the Martin Building at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
TBA
Commission will adopt rules; then the rules go to the Rules Review Commission and be placed for public comment.
TBA
Farmers can apply for a permit to participate in the pilot project to grow industrial hemp.
N.C. Industrial Hemp Commission
Tuesday, November 1, 2016; 2 p.m.
Martin Building, NC State Fairgrounds
Raleigh, NC 27607
The purpose for the meeting will be to establish an agricultural pilot program for the cultivation of industrial hemp in the State.
If you have questions, please contact Lori Pfister with the NC Industrial Hemp Commission office at (919) 707-3236.
Source...
For centuries, industrial hemp (plant species Cannabis sativa) has been a source of fiber and oilseed used worldwide to produce a variety of industrial and consumer products. Currently, more than 30 nations grow industrial hemp as an agricultural commodity, which is sold on the world market. In the United States, however, production is strictly controlled under existing drug enforcement laws. Currently there is no large-scale commercial production in the United States and the U.S. market depends on imports.
The 113th Congress made significant changes to U.S. policies regarding industrial hemp during the omnibus farm bill debate. The Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-79) provided that certain research institutions and state departments of agriculture may grow industrial hemp, as part of an agricultural pilot program, if allowed under state laws where the institution or state department of agriculture is located. The FY2015 appropriations (P.L. 113-235) further blocked federal law enforcement authorities from interfering with state agencies, growers, and agricultural research. (From " Hemp as an agricultural commodity, " Congressional Research Service)
Hemp production has been legalized in North Carolina, but only as part of the state's pilot program as allowed under federal law. As such, it will still be awhile before the first fields are planted. The N.C. General Assembly passed Senate Bill 313 in 2015, but dictated that an Industrial Hemp Commission would need to be established to develop the rules and licensing structure necessary to stay within federal laws. The Commission will be appointed and can begin to meet after $200,000 of non-state monies is raised to fund itself. The law was modified in 2016 in House Bill 992 .
Timeline
1600s - 1900s
Hemp is grown throughout the U.S. and used mainly for its fibers.
1937
The U.S. government outlaws the production of hemp as part of the Prohibitive Marijuana Tax Act.
1942
Hemp for Victory. The U.S. government encourages farmers to grow hemp needed to make ropes and parachutes for the war effort. Prohibition resumed after the war.
1970
The Controlled Substances Act classified the Cannibus sativa plant as an illegal “schedule I drug,” which imposed strict regulations on the cultivation of industrial hemp.
2014
Congress passes the Agricultural Act of 2014, which allows for certain states to grow industrial hemp as part of an agricultural pilot program for research purposes.
2015
N.C. legislators pass the Industrial Hemp Bill (SB 313) that allows for the formation of the Industrial Hemp Commission.
May 2016
Funding is obtained to create the commission.
Oct. 2016
Appointment of the 9-member commission. Each board member will need to pass the ethics review process.
Nov. 1, 2016
First board meeting of the N.C. Industrial Hemp Commission held at the Martin Building at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.
TBA
Commission will adopt rules; then the rules go to the Rules Review Commission and be placed for public comment.
TBA
Farmers can apply for a permit to participate in the pilot project to grow industrial hemp.
N.C. Industrial Hemp Commission
Tuesday, November 1, 2016; 2 p.m.
Martin Building, NC State Fairgrounds
Raleigh, NC 27607
The purpose for the meeting will be to establish an agricultural pilot program for the cultivation of industrial hemp in the State.
If you have questions, please contact Lori Pfister with the NC Industrial Hemp Commission office at (919) 707-3236.
Source...
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