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MDARD gives overview of new hemp rules
The Michigan Department of Agriculture says they will be working to better connect hemp growers and processors following feedback on the state’s pilot program.
Industrial Hemp Program Director Gina Alessandri says licensing information for industrial hemp is exempt from freedom of information requests, however, the state law has been updated to allow for contact sharing for those who wish to foster marketing opportunities.
“There’s a legitimate need of connecting growers and processors,” she says.
Also new for the 2021 growing season, growers can no longer collect their own hemp samples for THC testing.
“USDA received 5,900 comments and a lot of them were related to this very topic of no other option for ‘hot hemp,’” she says.
Alessandri (Al-ah-sand-ri) says hemp not meeting the .36 percent or lower THC threshold still needs to be destroyed but USDA is planning for a future remediation process.
Alessandri spoke on the new state and federal guidelines for industrial hemp at the recent virtual Midwest iHemp Expo.
