Hemp growers will soon be required to test their crops two weeks before harvest to ascertain the THC content. In the wake of the new changes that were slated to be in action this year, some hemp growers and even senate lawmakers have come out asking an extension before the regulations are enacted.
In a virtual statement released by a U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mai Dinh, farmers have some freedom when it comes to testing the THC amounts of their crops. She was also quick to reiterate that hot hemp will not be allowed into the market.
Thanks to the Farm Bill, farmers can grow hemp plants on US soil. However, the hemp crop needs to strictly adhere to not more than 0.5% THC. In fact, the legal limit is 0.3% THC considering errors in testing.
Unfortunately for farmers, hemp plants are quite unique crops. As you plant the seeds, they may grow into what is called hot hemp. This is hemp with more than 0.3% THC.
In the proposed regulations, hemp growers are expected to work with the DEA labs across states for the testing exercise. All hemp plant samples will be tested 15 days before the harvest date. Farmers flouting the new regulations may face criminal charges. The illegal crops will also be set for destruction by relevant authorities.
According to Dinh, the DEA testing will be in place in next year‘s crop and not this year. This is due to what can be termed as logistical barriers. The DEA only has 47 testing facilities which won’t be enough to sufficiently serve all hemp farmers.
Several changes by hemp regulating bodies have in recent days caused a stir in the industry with some politicians and stakeholders calling for an extension of the current regulations.
