ODA adopts industrial hemp rules

The Oregon Department of Agriculture said Monday it hasadopted administrative rules that allow for industrial hemp production andcreate a framework for a new agricultural industry in the state.

The rulesdefine production and handling requirementswhile establishing a permit andlicensing process for growers of industrial hemp, which includes feesassociated with ODA’s program.

With the adoption of the rules, ODA is expectinga crop to be planted this spring as permits will soon be issued.

The rules support a 2009 lawpassed by the Oregon Legislature authorizing industrial hemp production andpossession.

While industrial hemp, as defined in Oregon law, is arguably a safecrop and commodity, it is still classified by the federal governmentasillegal.

With the help of a rules advisory committee, ODA sought to write rulesthat adhere to state laws but also in a manner that will be tolerated byfederal enforcement agencies.

ODA oversight and othermeasures such as licensing and permits, which are unnecessary for conventionalcrops, are required by law for industrial hemp.

The rules advisory committee recommendeda license and permit fee large enough to cover ODA’sadministrative costs butstill be affordable to growers and handlers. It was also the committee’s goalto establish a self-sustaining, fee-for-service program for inspection,sampling, and testing.

With adoption of the rules,individuals can apply for licenses to grow or handle industrial hemp fiber andfor permits to grow agricultural hemp seed, in which case a license is also required. Fees for each are set at $1,500 and are valid for three years.

Oregon’sindustrial hemp law allows for hemp seed to only be used to plant new crops.The law also requires that the size of the industrial hemp crop of a grower beat least 2.5 contiguous acres and that industrial hemp contain less than 0.3percenttetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to distinguish it from marijuana, whichcontains much higher THC levels.

Currently, there is not asupply of agricultural hemp seed available in Oregon. ODA is looking into thefederal Drug Enforcement Agency’s permit process to import seed into the state.

The rules describerequirements for record keeping and annual reporting by growers as well as ODA’ssampling and inspection requirements and processes.

More information on ODA’sindustrial hemp program, including a downloadable application form for permitsand licenses, can be found at: <http://go.usa.gov/hbfF> or by calling(503) 986-4620.