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It could be about a year before farmers grow their first hemp crops in Tennessee. Until then, the bill's sponsor, state Republican Senator Frank Niceley, is trying to answer questions farmers might have about the new law. When Governor Bill Haslam signed the bill into law, it specified that the crops would only be used for research and development purposes. Niceley told 6 News it's up to the Department of Agriculture and universities, like the University of Tennessee, to hash out the details before farmers get thrown in the mix.
Will Coley owns a specialty farm in Maryville where he raises rare chickens, rabbits and ducks. Coley is looking to expand what his farm offers by growing hemp, which is known as “marijuana's cousin.” It's a crop that was grown more than half a century ago in Tennessee. "If hemp is going to start in Tennessee, why not have my family be part of those first hemp farms?," he said.
Coley wants to know how he can get his hands on the now legal crop. Niceley told 6 News he believes hemp will bring in money and jobs to the state. "If farmers will make money, they'll raise it. If they can't make money, they won't raise it, but there's no taxpayer money subsidizing it, so it's just free market," said Niceley. That market could include clothing, jewelry and rope, but it's not that easy to grow yet.
According to Niceley, farmers will most likely need to partner with universities, like UT and the Department of Agriculture for now. They are also required to pay a permit fee of $500. For eager farmers like Coley, he's willing to invest in what he calls a “future cash crop.” “The new farmers that are getting in on the ground level really have the ability to have a huge impact on the society in our entire state," said Coley. Niceley mentioned to 6 News that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the Justice Department are working to separate industrial hemp and marijuana into different laws. Right now they are grouped together. It's expected that the first hemp crops will be grown by next spring.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Wate.com
Author: Cameron Taylor
Contact: Contact Us
Website: New hemp law interests area farmers
Will Coley owns a specialty farm in Maryville where he raises rare chickens, rabbits and ducks. Coley is looking to expand what his farm offers by growing hemp, which is known as “marijuana's cousin.” It's a crop that was grown more than half a century ago in Tennessee. "If hemp is going to start in Tennessee, why not have my family be part of those first hemp farms?," he said.
Coley wants to know how he can get his hands on the now legal crop. Niceley told 6 News he believes hemp will bring in money and jobs to the state. "If farmers will make money, they'll raise it. If they can't make money, they won't raise it, but there's no taxpayer money subsidizing it, so it's just free market," said Niceley. That market could include clothing, jewelry and rope, but it's not that easy to grow yet.
According to Niceley, farmers will most likely need to partner with universities, like UT and the Department of Agriculture for now. They are also required to pay a permit fee of $500. For eager farmers like Coley, he's willing to invest in what he calls a “future cash crop.” “The new farmers that are getting in on the ground level really have the ability to have a huge impact on the society in our entire state," said Coley. Niceley mentioned to 6 News that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the Justice Department are working to separate industrial hemp and marijuana into different laws. Right now they are grouped together. It's expected that the first hemp crops will be grown by next spring.
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Wate.com
Author: Cameron Taylor
Contact: Contact Us
Website: New hemp law interests area farmers
