Grow hemp or marijuana? USDA wants farmers to choose

According to recent reports, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revoking hemp licenses for farmers participating in state-approved marijuana programs that are also operating under the USDA’s federal hemp production guidelines. A Politico article published over the weekend shed light on this issue, further elucidated by Marijuana Moment in this article with perspective from U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel, Jonathan Miller. 

In his statement, Miller emphasized that the situation is “not only very unfortunate, but it’s also counterintuitive,” considering the shared expertise between growing hemp and marijuana. He criticized the stance taken by the USDA, and urged the agency to reconsider, suggesting potential amendments in the Farm Bill if statutory limitations exist. 

“The expertise gained by growing one plant is very transferable to the other—they basically are the same species—and having a black-and-white bar like this is bad public policy. I would hope that USDA would revisit this, and if they believe their hands are tied by statute, then it is something we should fix in the Farm Bill,” said Jonathan Miller, U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel.

While reports indicate uncertainty about the number of affected farmers and the administrative handling of the issue, the USDA has yet to publicly respond. A spokesperson for the agency told Politico that the USDA regulates all states and hemp growers uniformly.

Taking a proactive stance, the U.S. Hemp Roundtable has stepped in to advocate for equal opportunities for all hemp farmers, irrespective of their involvement in legal marijuana cultivation. The organization is encouraging affected farmers to share their stories, recognizing the significance of firsthand accounts in their outreach efforts.

If you are a farmer whose hemp license has been revoked by the USDA due to legal marijuana cultivation in your state, we encourage you to share your experiences. Firsthand narratives are crucial in shaping our advocacy efforts!

Check out these recent industry updates!

• 
  Updates in Seven States: Alabama, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, and Texas
  A quick breakdown: Use our State Action Center to contact lawmakers and protect the future of hemp in your state. Take Action Now A big thank you to all hemp supporters …
• 
  Updates in Seven States: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Montana, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Texas
  A quick breakdown: Use our State Action Center to contact lawmakers and protect the future of hemp in your state. Take Action Now A big thank you to all hemp supporters …
• 
  Bill Updates in Three States: California, Florida, and Rhode Island
  Use our State Action Center to contact lawmakers and protect the future of hemp in your state. Take Action Now A big thank you to all hemp supporters for taking action …
• 
  Bill Updates in Nine States: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Nevada, Tennessee, and Texas
  Alabama: HB 445, which limits hemp beverages to 5mg THC per serving and restricts sales to liquor stores, is being fast-tracked for a Senate floor vote ahead of the May 7 …
• 
  Hemp Bill Updates in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, and Texas
  Victory in Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, and Missouri! Efforts to restrict hemp products—including bans on beverages and e-commerce—failed to pass in all four states. Special thanks to Missouri lawmakers who stood …
• 
  Recap of U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel, Jonathan Miller, Testifying Before House Oversight Committee
  On Wednesday, April 9th, Jonathan Miller, General Counsel for the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, testified before the House Oversight Committee during a hearing titled “Restoring Trust in FDA: Rooting Out Illicit Products.” Throughout …