HEMP NEWS
The Missouri Hemp Program Has Dissolved
Missouri hemp producers to operate under USDA Domestic Hemp production .
by Tyler Morgan , MHTA , Board of directors , and Chairman
Editor Note : We asked Tyler Morgan , Board of directors and Chairman of the Missouri Hemp Trade Association , to explain what ’ s behind the recent dissolution of the Missouri Hemp program and what it means for the future of Missouri-grown hemp and its ancillary businesses . He is what Morgan shares with our readers on this important topic .
Missouri hemp producers will now operate under the USDA Domestic Hemp production program beginning January 1 , 2023 . The former Missouri Hemp program , as approved by the USDA , has been dissolved . By statute , the Missouri program had to be funded by fees generated by producer registrations , and there were not enough people participating to make that happen in a reasonable way . The fees would need to be so high that the Missouri Hemp program would not have an affordably viable program . Current hemp farming / producer registrations will expire on December 31 , 2022 .
in Missouri . It advocates and works to support the development of the entire hemp industry . Now it must take its initiatives to Washington DC and work with our federal representatives to advance our cause . Hemp and hemp-derived products are the Legal Cannabis Industry . As the industry grows , we must defend it from those that would exclude or limit growers from what is already legal . MoHempTrade must advocate for clear consumer protection and labeling laws . It must protect the business owners , brands , farmers , distributors , entrepreneurs , manufacturers , customers , and everyone building the hemp industry across Missouri . This already affects the livelihood of thousands of Missouri businesses and millions of customers . Solutions must come from within our industry instead of being imposed by outside parties .
Beginning in late October , the Missouri Department of Agriculture ( MDA ) and the USDA started a virtual and in-person outreach program to help with this transition as it moves into the 2023 growing season . These events are listed on the MDA Hemp program website .
Some positive changes will come with this transition . The hemp program has challenges that the Missouri Hemp Trade Association ( MoHempTrade ) must address as it builds the hemp industry across the state . A couple of immediate benefits are : 1 . There will be no application fees for licensing as a producer with the USDA . Each noncontiguous parcel that is farmed will need a separate registration . This requirement was a financial burden at $ 750 per registration under the former Missouri program .
2 . Producers will not be required to have a separate seed and propagule license . The right to produce seeds and propagules and sell them to other registered producers is automatically part of registration with the USDA . You will need a standard seed license under Missouri seed law , and those guidelines can be found at the MDA website .
There are challenges ahead as well . The Missouri Hemp Trade Association has a lot of work to do on behalf of its members and for the benefit of our state . Now that the former program has been statutorily dissolved , MoHempTrade remains the one voice for hemp
We must remove barriers to entry . We need exemptions from burdensome fees and irrelevant testing requirements to produce fiber , grain , food , and feed by farms and businesses across the state . Hemp needs a level playing field with other commodities to build a thriving industry . We need strong and lasting partnerships with other associations and businesses as we face these challenges . Hemp will be part of every industry as an important keystone in our economy . However , that potential will not be realized unless we have reasonable regulations that protect our farms and producers by removing all criminal implications and threats of economic loss . It cannot be realized if the right to participate is only granted to a few .