After a lengthy process filled with back-and-forth revisions, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Colorado’s State Hemp Management Plan.
The decision comes more than 18 months after the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) submitted its hemp plan following the 2019 publication of the USDA’s interim final rule (IFR) on hemp. And in August 2020, the USDA ordered Colorado to revise its hemp plan, Hemp Grower previously reported.
Colorado launched its hemp pilot program in 2014, and the program has greatly expanded since, according to a press release on the Colorado government website. In nearly six years, “the program has rapidly scaled up production, launched a certified seed program, diversified supply chains, and is establishing a statewide Hemp Center of Excellence, which will help direct research, outreach, and educational efforts for Colorado’s hemp industry,” the release states.
According to the release, the state’s hemp plan provides hemp producers with specific details, practices, and procedures to ensure they comply with federal standards.
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“CDA has worked closely with the USDA to draft a plan that gives the greatest flexibility to Colorado’s hemp producers while ensuring requirements are in place in accordance with federal standards,” Greenberg said. “Throughout this process, we’ve consulted regularly with stakeholders in the hemp industry, including producers, researchers, policy experts, and the public.”
Earlier this year, the USDA issued its final rule on hemp, replacing the IFR. According to the release, the final rule and Colorado’s state-approved hemp plan will take full effect on Jan. 1. 2022, with some provisions already taking effect.
“Colorado is the undisputed leader in the cannabis industry, and our hemp plan is a model for the country,” Polis said. “Hemp is a versatile crop, an economic engine that supports jobs and our agriculture industry. We look forward to seeing how hemp can be further developed for fuel, food, and other uses while being a source of revenue for family farms.”
The state’s announcement also included a statement from Willie Nelson, American musician, actor and long-time cannabis activist, who said Colorado should “be proud of leading the charge for the hemp industry.” (Nelson’s CBD company, Willie’s Remedy, sources its hemp exclusively from Colorado growers.)
“There are many ways that this crop can benefit both small, family farmers and Americans in their everyday lives,” Nelson added. “From textiles and feed to fuel and plastics, hemp is the answer. I applaud Governor Polis for prioritizing hemp, and I look forward to seeing the results. Hemp=Fuel-Food-Fiber!”
