Tennessee Farmers Can Now Legally Produce Industrial Hemp

Jacob Redmond

Well-Known Member
The Tennessee Legislature recently passed legislation removing industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana in the criminal code according to information on the Tennessee Department of Agriculture website.

Farmers now have the option of growing industrial hemp on a limited basis. Producers must apply for a license through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

According to information on the TDA site, it is still considered illegal under federal law. This emphasizes the importance of only growing under a license and only using certified seed. More information can be found at the following website:

TDA - Industrial Hemp.

The Tennessee law requires that levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, THC be .3 percent or lower. To insure this level, certified seed must be used. Random sampling of fields will be conducted to control the production of industrial hemp with illegal levels of THC.

While closely related to marijuana, industrial hemp is in the Cannabis species but has much lower levels of the mind-altering compound, THC.

According to facts gathered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, industrial hemp was a common agricultural crop in the early history of the colonies and the United States. Hemp was widely used in maritime industry with rope, sails, canvas, as well as sacks and paper.

Most of the hemp produced in the early history of the United States was produced by Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky. Demand for hemp declined with the arrival of steamships.

There was a slight resurgence in demand during World War II. State and federals limited hemp production due to its relation to marijuana. The development of synthetic fibers also contributed to the decline in its demand.

The world production of industrial hemp is estimated at 55,700 metric tons with China, Russia, and South Korea being the leading producers. A significant amount of hemp products comes from Canada.

Currently, there is not a commercial market in the U.S. The development of a market will require private investment, which could occur if there is enough demand.

According to the TDA website, Canada has been researching industrial hemp since the early 1990s. This will likely be the best source of production information until research information is developed in the United States.

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News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Tenn. farmers can now legally produce industrial hemp - Work It, TriCities: Business News
Author: Chris Ramsey
Contact: cwramsey@utk.edu
Photo Credit: Hemp Oil Canada
Website: TriCities.com: Your news for Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee powered by the Bristol Herald Courier.
 
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This emphasizes the importance of only growing under a license and only using certified seed.

Unfortunately, a state hemp growing license will NOT protect you from federal, state, county or city police in Tennessee. The state, county and city police rely heavily on subsidies from the Department of Justice war on drugs program. Tennessee can barely afford to retain its civil servants due to a large number of pensioned retirees and medical insurance costs. Thus, local departments rely on federal subsidies any way they can.
 
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