As requested by our founding principal and leading hemp expert Courtney N. Moran, LL.M., the USDA granted a 30 day extension to the US Domestic Hemp Production Program Interim Final Rule Comment Period. The new due date is January 29, 2020!
As it is currently written, the USDA Interim Final Rule gives cause for concern for farmers and hemp-related businesses, as they put them directly at risk for being engaged in criminal activity. The rules also create challenging time lines for harvest and test facility requirements that could create bottlenecks and cause farmers to lose crops and profits.
Lobbying efforts from Agricultural Hemp Solutions, led by Courtney Moran, have given farmers and concerned citizens a 30 day extension to get their comments into the UDSA, providing hope for reform in some of the burdensome requirements and regulations proposed in these final rules.
To learn more about the concerns voiced so far by hemp advocates Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkely, read this.
More information from the USDA
On December 18, the USDA published an official deadline extension. Here is an excerpt directly from the USDA:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the comment period for the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program interim final rule until Jan. 29, 2020, to allow stakeholders additional time to provide feedback. Stakeholders are invited to submit written comments on the interim final rule and proposed information collection by visiting www.regulations.gov. Comments may also be submitted by mail to Docket Clerk, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; or by fax at (202) 720-8938. Comments received by Jan. 29, 2020, will be considered before a final rule is issued. More information about the provisions of the interim final rule is available on the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program web page on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) website.
You can read the USDA’s full Notice to Trade extension statement here.
Request a Consultation
If you’d like help in drafting your comments to the USDA feel free to reach out. You can also request a consultation with Courtney N. Moran, LL.M. to discuss how these rules may impact your business.
We look forward to hearing from you!