The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s interim final rule that would set up a domestic hemp production program under the 2018 Farm Bill has been sent to the Office of Management and Budget. That along with the upcoming South Dakota Legislature’s Interim committee meeting on hemp scheduled for July 11 is a positive sign for movement of the crop in South Dakota. That’s according to South Dakota Farmers Union lobbyist Mitch Richter.
He’s hopeful the interim committee will approve the movement of industrial hemp and send it to the 2020 legislature for possible approval.
Richter says he sees a definite market for industrial hemp in South Dakota although one of the challenges will be competing with other states who have already passed hemp bills.
Richter says if they can get an emergency clause passed during the 2020 legislative session, then they can possibly get hemp ready for growing later that summer.
