CDFA to submit hemp plan soon

CDFA is finalizing its hemp plan to submit to USDA. Ross said she is hopeful this will happen in early August.

“That's a very important piece for bringing some certainty to the hemp growers here in the state,” she said.

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Uncertainties followed USDA’s interim rule issued in November, which provided a narrow 15-day testing window ahead of harvest. California growers were already struggling to meet CDFA’s 30-day window. Hemp is a labor-intensive crop, and mechanical harvesters are not readily available.

In January, Ross told Agri-Pulse she was optimistic USDA would have revisions to its proposal.