|
NASDA elevates hemp policy, prioritizes USDA engagement with NASDA members on Farm Bill hemp...
Story Date: 2/27/2019
| |
Source: PRESS RELEASE, 2/26/19
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) adopted new policy on industrial hemp at its annual Winter Policy Conference. NASDA acknowledges the economic potential of industrial hemp in the United States and encourages uniformity in hemp regulation.
“Updating our hemp policy to ensure consistency in testing and regulation serves states by anticipating and addressing challenges before they develop,” NASDA Second Vice President and Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles said. “It’s important that we are proactive in our policy-making so that paths are clear, and opportunities are present for hemp growers.”
In addition, NASDA urges USDA to consult state departments of agriculture and release guidance on the promulgation of hemp regulations in the 2018 Farm Bill.
“NASDA has long supported the declassification of industrial hemp as controlled substance because it provides farmers opportunities to diversify their operations,” NASDA CEO Dr. Barb Glenn, said. “I am thrilled that the Farm Bill accomplished this, and that NASDA members, as the top agricultural leaders of their states, will regulate industrial hemp cultivation with federal agencies.”
NASDA’s new policy on hemp reads:
• NASDA supports the production, processing and commercialization of hemp.
• NASDA encourages research in all aspects of hemp from production to finished products.
• NASDA supports consistent model legislation to assist state legislatures in their efforts to enact laws permitting hemp production within their jurisdictions in accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill.
• NASDA supports the development of uniform standards for field sampling and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content testing with gas chromatography (GC) methods.
• NASDA encourages the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), in consultations with states, to develop a model regulatory framework for oversight of the processing of hemp and manufacturing of Cannabidiol (CBD) which will protect public health, comply with federal law, and foster growth in the industry.
These policy steps embody the 2019 Winter Policy Conference theme “Elevating Ag, Accelerating Food” and are a continuation of NASDA’s initiative to advance agriculture in the states by answering emerging opportunities and challenges such as industrial hemp production.
NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association that represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances agriculture by forging partnerships and creating consensus to achieve sound policy outcomes between state departments of agriculture, the federal government and stakeholders.
|
|
|
|
