Federal Government to Take Control of Wisconsin Hemp Program

The Wisconsin hemp program transitions to federal control next year, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will take over on January 1, 2022, replacing the state’s four-year pilot program. The change is expected to save farmers money through lower application fees and allow them to use private testing laboratories.

The change was announced last week by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), according to the report.

“There’s so many factors that go into it, but our thought on this whole process was we wanted to put the industry in the best opportunity to produce hemp in Wisconsin. Right now this transition is the best option.” — DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski, via Wisconsin State Journal

Because hemp farmers in Wisconsin already follow federal regulations, the change is not expected to disrupt hemp farming in the state, according to the report.

“We are collaborating with USDA for a smooth transition and providing hemp growers with the resources they need to understand any changes,” said DATCP’s Division of Agriculture Resource Management administrator Sara Walling in a statement.

Lastly, the state will continue to work with hemp farmers this season for testing. Processors—though they will no longer need a processing license from the state—will remain under state authority for consumer and food products.