The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) last week announced another one-year delay in the enforcement of a rule requiring hemp products sold in the country to be tested by a laboratory registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It’s the third year in a row that officials have delayed enforcing the rule.
Following the temporary suspension of the rules, hemp product makers can utilize any third-party lab not registered with the DEA for product testing until December 31, 2025.
“USDA is delaying enforcement of this requirement based on input received from state and tribal governments and third-party cannabis testing facilities that have experienced delays in completing the DEA laboratory registration process. Because of these setbacks in the completion of the DEA process, USDA is concerned there will be inadequate approved hemp laboratory testing capacity for the 2025 growing season.” — USDA statement, in a press release
Industrial hemp is legal in the U.S. per the 2018 federal Farm Bill but despite witnessing a flourishing hemp products space now for years, the federal government has done little to address the burgeoning industry.
Get daily cannabis business news updates. Subscribe
End