Advocates and the Colorado Department of Agriculture gave encouraging remarks for the revival of hemp as a cash crop during the Four States Ag Expo last week.
Under Amendment 64 passed by voters in 2012, Colorado farmers are allowed to grow industrial hemp for commercial purposes. But there are some strict requirements, including registration with the Colorado Agriculture Department.
Producers must register with the state agency by May 1 if they’d like to grow industrial hemp during the 2014 growing season. The fee for commercial production is $200 plus $1 per acre. For research purposes, the annual fee is $100 plus $1 dollar per acre.
“I recommend starting out on the research and development level to see how it goes and better understand the crop in this climate. We don’t know which strain is best for your area,” said Michael Singer, an agricultural specialist with the department.
Hemp crops can’t exceed 0.3 percent THC, the psychoactive ingredient reaching 10 to 20 percent in marijuana, a genetic cousin of hemp.
“Hemp does not get you high,” said presenter and hemp advocate Karen Kreshner. “You could smoke a whole roomful, and it would not alter your consciousness.”
Inspectors will analyze 1 in 3 industrial hemp farms to ensure the minuscule THC amount is complied with, Singer said. Noncompliance will result in the crop’s destruction, but the grower can try again the next year.
“We know there will be some trial and error, especially because there are very limited seed stocks for hemp right now,” he said.
During the inspection, the registrant or authorized representative must provide the inspector with complete and unrestricted access to all industrial hemp plants, seeds and registration documents.
Singer added state regulations are farmer-friendly.
“Also, a producer can have their hemp crop in different locations and on different properties,” he said, “as long as it is all recorded in the paperwork.”
However, there are production challenges for hemp and legal issues.
Hemp has not been grown commercially in the U.S. since World War II. Because it is within the cannabis plant family, the Drug Enforcement Agency considers it illegal under the Controlled Substance Act.
However, the U.S. Department of Justice has issued guidelines that will, if followed, limit the likelihood of federal enforcement against commercial hemp producers.
“While the state passed legislation legalizing the cultivation of industrial hemp, there are still many unanswered questions on the federal level,” said Ron Carleton, deputy commissioner for the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Growing hemp is becoming more accepted nationwide. Congress included in the 2014 Farm Bill a provision permitting research and development of hemp by universities. The provision specifically exempts hemp production by higher-education facilities from the Controlled Substances Act, the first decriminalization of hemp at the federal level in 70 years.
Industrial hemp is typically used to make textiles, fuel, oil, soaps and paper, but there are many other applications, including as a durable and organic replacement for plastics.
