USDA to Conduct Nationwide Survey of Hemp Farmers
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The Federal Department of Agriculture is expected to roll out its latest hemp survey to farmers nationwide this month. The annual survey, which was first rolled out in 2021, aims to understand the state of this growing industry better.
The department’s Mountain Regional Field Office director, Rodger Ott, explained that the survey data would assist regulatory agencies, producers, processors, and state governments, among other industry entities.
Results from the previous year’s survey show that the value of hemp produced increased by 18%, reaching $291 million. Data also found that over 27,000 acres of this agricultural crop were planted in 2023. Survey questions normally include acreage for hemp operations, plans for outdoor production, and secondary and primary uses of hemp.
Stakeholders in the industry have been asked to respond to the survey by January 30th, with the results being published in April.
The federal agriculture department is also making changes to the crop’s insurance program, which includes eliminating smoke damage from claim coverage. This comes as it continues to strengthen the burgeoning industry, having recently appointed new individuals to a trade advisory committee focused on bolstering efforts to promote cannabis grown in the U.S. globally.
In other news, a regulation that would require hemp farmers to have their crops tested at DEA-registered laboratories is yet to be enforced, with the department noting that some issues have resulted in insufficient access to these facilities. This is year three in a row that this regulation’s enforcement has been delayed, as stipulated under the 2018 Farm Bill.
Earlier in August, stakeholders also received word of a policy change implemented in China that would impose tighter restrictions on CBD derived from hemp. This comes after a United States-China trade deal that would see the latter country purchase hemp from America expired in 2022.
Additionally, the National Industrial Hemp Council received $745,000 to promote the hemp industry in emerging markets globally. These monies were awarded during a risky time for the industry, which had suffered huge losses in 2022.
With legislators advancing measures that’d essentially ban most cannabinoid products based on hemp, the industry still appears to be on shaky ground.
The 2024 Farm Bill draft contains proposed amendments to federal hemp regulations, including changes to the definition of hemp so that cannabinoids like THC-A and delta-8 THC would be tested for. Other proposed changes include a reduction of regulatory barriers for farmers who cultivate hemp for fiber or grain and changes to how THC’s legal limit is calculated.
Any regulatory changes are going to be closely watched by entities like Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) to assess what effects such changes could have on their business plans.
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