The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U. S. Department of Agriculture issued its final rule for a U. S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. The final rule makes changes to the interim final rule, and includes an expansion of the pre-harvest sampling for testing to harvest window from 15 days to 30 days, among others. The final rule doesn’t immediately impact Vermont Hemp Program participants, as Vermont plans to continue to operate under the pilot program authorization and administer the Vermont Hemp Rules. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets will review the final rule and decide next steps.
For more information about the U. S. Domestic Hemp Production Program and the key provisions of the final rule, please visit the AMS website, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/19/2021-00967/establishment-of-a-domestic-hemp-production-program.
If you have question about the Vermont Hemp Program, please contact Stephanie Smith at Stephanie.smith@vermont.gov.