The state of Indiana has submitted proposed guidelines to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the legal production of hemp.
The Indiana State Hemp Plan was submitted to the USDA Dec. 26. State officials hope to receive a determination by early March.
States want to capitalize on the emerging industry. A May 2019 CNBC report suggested legal hemp production and related support businesses could become a $2.6 billion industry by 2022.
The state said the USDA released the interim final rule for the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program on Oct. 30. The rule governs the production of hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill and outlines the provisions for the USDA to approve plans submitted by states and Indian tribes.
The USDA has 60 days to review Indiana’s plan and offer comments.
Indiana’s plan addresses elements of the USDA hemp rule including sampling, analytical testing, licensing and growing requirements.
The 2020 growing season will continue to be a research year in Indiana.
