Senate-passed Farm Bill would legalize industrial hemp

Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced their legislation to legalize industrial hemp is included in the 2018 Farm Bill, which was passed by the full Senate on Tuesday. The Farm Bill now advances to the House for consideration.

Wyden and Merkley worked with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to ensure the bipartisan Hemp Farming Act of 2018 was included in the final Farm Bill.

The Hemp Farming Act clearly defines hemp as an agricultural commodity and removes it from the list of controlled substances. It also gives states the opportunity to become the primary regulators of hemp production, allows hemp researchers to apply for competitive federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and makes hemp farmers eligible to apply for crop insurance.

Wyden, Merkley, McConnell, and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.,introduced the bill earlier this year.

“For too long, the outrageous and outdated ban on growing hemp has hamstrung farmers in Oregon and across the country,” Wyden said. “Hemp products are made in America, sold in America, and consumed in America. Now, hemp will be able to be legally grown in America, to the economic benefit of consumers and farmers in Oregon and nationwide.”

“Finally we are recognizing industrial hemp for the agricultural product it is,” Merkley said. “This is a cash crop that hasn’t been allowed to meet its full economic potential because of outdated restrictions. When I visited a hemp farm mid-harvest, I saw firsthand the enormous potential of this diverse crop under the limited 2014 farm bill. This full legalization provides economic opportunity for farmers across rural Oregon and rural America–good for jobs, good for our communities, and just good common sense.”

The legislation builds on the past successful bipartisan efforts by Wyden and Merkley, who in 2014 helped legalize hemp pilot programs, the senators said in a news release.

In 2016, Wyden secured clarification for farmers after three federal agencies issued new guidance that conflicted with current laws governing the growing and selling of industrial hemp.

And Merkley has used his position on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee to secure key, bipartisan victories for Oregon’s hemp farmers–winning one provision that prevents the Drug Enforcement Agency from going after hemp farmers in states where hemp is legal, and another that allows hemp farmers to transport legal industrial hemp between states.

The Hemp Farming Act is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, Vote Hemp, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NSCL).

Wyden said the Farm Bill also includes provisions to help hop growers and provide drought relief to Oregon farmers.

“Rural Oregon communities can grow stronger with this bill’s big wins for hemp, hops and innovative opportunities in timber and agriculture,” Wyden said. “I am gratified that the fight for legislation that provides so many seeds for job growth has emerged with this bill helping Oregonians throughout our state.”

For Hop Growers

Wyden secured a provision to allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fight the two costliest diseases that affect hop plants, ensuring that Oregon State University can continue its work to address these threats. The provision was cosponsored by Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and supported by the Brewers Association.

Soil Health

Wyden also secured a win for climate with a provision to establish a pilot project for farmers across the country to implement advanced farming practices to capture carbon in soil. These farming practices have been shown to improve soil health and crop resilience while lowering the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. The soil health provision is supported by the American Coalition for Ethanol, Environmental Entrepreneurs, the National Corn Growers Association and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Drought Assistance

Wyden and other western senators included a provision to ensure long-standing Farm Bill programs will be easily accessible to states, counties and communities to combat drought. The provision streamlines USDA’s ability to get funding from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQUIP) on the ground to help western farmers with water conservation projects.

Energy Efficient Farms

Wyden included a measure that he sponsored with Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., to improve the energy efficiency of farms. The provision would allow federal funding from the Rural Energy Assistance Program (REAP) to be used to buy energy efficient farm equipment, which will help farmers reduce their operating costs. It will also encourage the expansion of energy and water efficient vertical farming.

Collaborative Forest Restoration

Wyden and Merkley secured a provision to increase funding for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) to empower rural communities across Oregon to restore effective forest management and improve forest health. The provision was also cosponsored by Jim Risch (R-ID), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Tom Udall (D-NM) and Jon Tester (D-MT).

Mass Wood Products

Wyden and Merkley secured several provisions in the Timber Innovation Act, supporting the development of mass timber products for building construction and promoting the growth of Oregon’s cross-laminated timber industry.

Fencing Assistance

Wyden and Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, sponsored a bipartisan amendment to provide farmers with up-front federal funding through conservation programs for fence repairs that is included in the final Farm Bill.