USDA Approves Florida’s State Hemp Program, Growing Begins As Early As April 27

April 18, 2020

The U.S. Department of Agriculture formally approved Florida’s state hemp program on Thursday, clearing the way for Florida growers to begin cultivating hemp later this month. Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried, who will oversee Florida’s state hemp program through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), offered the following statement:

“After months of incorporating feedback from the public, growers, and industry stakeholders, we are thrilled that Florida’s hemp industry officially begins now,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “By working closely with our farmers, processors, retailers, and consumers, Florida’s state hemp program will become a model for the nation, will set a gold standard for this emerging industry, and will create billions in economic opportunity for Florida. As our economy deals with the impacts of COVID-19, this approval will give our agriculture industry a new alternative crop for many years to come.”

With the state hemp program’s rules now filed for adoption and approved by USDA, FDACS will begin accepting applications to grow industrial hemp on April 27, the first day authorized under the state filing timeframe, online at FDACS.gov/Cannabis.

Comments

8 Responses to “USDA Approves Florida’s State Hemp Program, Growing Begins As Early As April 27”

  1. David Taylor on April 20th, 2020 6:03 pm

    It is about time we return to allowing hemp to be grown. Hemp makes the best rope for naval uses, great cloth, etc. Morning lines made from hemp do not snap back with a whiplash like a rubber band when they fail. I will forever recall the Navy training videos that showed the loss of sailors lives due to failed nylon mooring lines. Camp makes a good rotation crop and produces four times the paper per acre then trees.

  2. Resident on April 20th, 2020 2:47 am

    Let me guess the older generation is the ones referring to hemp as drugs.

  3. Paul on April 19th, 2020 8:36 am

    A boon for the munchie industry…

  4. Aaron McMillan on April 19th, 2020 8:14 am

    This is not drugs. This is industrial hemp. It’s a great sustainable product used to make rope, clothes, paper etc. It produces much better than trees and keeps our farmers farming.

  5. William Reynolds on April 18th, 2020 11:58 pm

    “”I JUST HAD TO COMMENT THAT I HAD TO CHUCKLE WHEN I SEEN THE COMMISSIONERS LAST NAME IS “FRIED”. THANKS THAT MADE MY DAY.”

    Just FYI…she pronounces it as “Freed”

  6. David Holland on April 18th, 2020 10:51 pm

    I JUST HAD TO COMMENT THAT I HAD TO CHUCKLE WHEN I SEEN THE COMMISSIONERS LAST NAME IS “FRIED”. THANKS THAT MADE MY DAY.

  7. BG on April 18th, 2020 9:51 pm

    More drugs……..GOD HELP US

  8. Lannie Bowman on April 18th, 2020 5:37 am

    I think it’s great it’s been hard on the farmers through this time we’re all in. Although the Hemp program is great for the farmers but I hope they don’t lose sight on the produce the Americans need for there daily food. Although the Hemp program will help the farmers recover some of the money they lost but we still have to be able to count on the American Farmers for our produce and not having to rely on other country’s for our food. Thanks And GOD BLESS AMERICA…….