The budding hemp industry in Arizona is experiencing growing pains. Many farmers are being forced to destroy their crops because the high from the plants is just too high.
According to the Department of Agriculture, about 41% of hemp plants in the state have failed early THC testing. “I was very surprised about the reports,” said Sully Sullivan, the Executive Director of the Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona. “It was quite shocking.”
However, one local hemp grower says he is not shocked by the findings.
“I’m surprised it’s not a higher number of plants that had to be destroyed,” said Bruce Laird, the Owner of Avra Valley Growers.
Laird is currently growing produce on a plot of land at Leapin Lizard Farms near Anway Road and Avra Valley Road. Before growing fresh fruits and vegetables, he worked in the cannabis industry.
“[It] just became legal to grow industrial hemp here in Arizona in 2019,” said Laird.
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