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A Patchwork of Regulations: Hemp Pilot Programs Here to Stay Through 2021
Hemp Grower
This year was poised to be a turning point for the hemp industry as regulations set forth by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill) were due to expire Oct. 31. By then, states were supposed to have updated their hemp plans to be compliant with the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill), ushering in a new set of what many in the industry consider to be stricter regulations.
But the novel coronavirus’ arrival to the U.S. in early 2020 made that transition an even heftier challenge. Dozens of states operating under their pilot programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill were suddenly left to not only develop stricter regulations, but also enforce them, all with minimal contact with their colleagues due to social distancing measures.