USDA Reopens Hemp Comment Period on Federal Interim Rules

USDA has reopened their comment period for the interim final rule that was published on Oct. 31, 2019, and established the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. Make your voice heard! The comment period was likely reopened as USDA heard that some requirements of the rule were not achievable, too costly, or just don’t make sense. Comments must be received by October 8, 2020. Read Rural Vermont’s comments as submitted to USDA. 

Written comments should be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov. Comments may also be sent via email to farmbill.hemp@usda.gov or sent to USDA/AMS/Specialty Crops Program Hemp Branch, 470 L’Enfant Plaza SW, PO Box 23192, Washington DC 20026.

More information about the provisions of the interim final rule is available here.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture will submit a state plan to USDA for approval.  If approved, Vermont’s plan require:

  • crops complying with a 0.3% total THC concentration, including measurement of uncertainty;

  • 15 day sampling to harvest window

  • not permitting individuals with felony drug convictions to register with the state program, except as permitted under federal law; and 

  • not allowing growers to sample their own crops- growers will need to use disinterested or third party sampling agents.

  • Using DEA registered laboratories

For a grower to be covered under the Vermont pilot program, crops must be sampled, tested and harvested before Oct 31, 2020. 

Vermont Hemp Rules are in effect with the exception of the certified laboratory lab program (growers can currently use a lab they have a relationship with even if not certified) and the provisions of the Vermont Branch, which are not launched yet. All aspects of the rules are enforceable, including sampling procedures, recordkeeping, and testing by harvest lot number.  

If you are looking for additional information, check out the Agency of Agriculture’s Hemp Program. 

Rural Vermont