The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry issued its comments to the USDA on the Interim Final Hemp Rule, expressing concerns with proposed requirements that have the potential to adversely affect the growth of the hemp industry in Maine.
The comments come after a thorough analysis by state officials and include feedback from Maine farmers, according to a news release from the department. The USDA’s proposed hemp regulations were released Oct. 29, 2019, and states were invited to review and respond with comments within 60 days.
“The requirements proposed by the interim rule have the potential to be detrimental to Maine farmers who have invested in hemp production, as well as those who are planning to enter this emerging hemp industry,” said Amanda Beal, DACF Commissioner. “We strongly encourage the USDA to ensure that the final rules are practical and don’t hamper the future growth of hemp production and its potential contribution to Maine’s economy.”
Maine’s hemp program launched in 2016 with one grower; today 181 licensed hemp farmers are growing hemp in all of Maine’s 16 counties, and crop varieties are thriving.
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