Published: October 9, 2019

Here are some industrial hemp quick facts you will want to know: 

  • The Colorado Department of Agriculture’s (CDA) regulatory role with Industrial Hemp is limited to the cultivation of industrial hemp.
  • The CDA does not have jurisdiction over the processing, sale or distribution of industrial hemp. Nor do we have referrals for, or market information on, the aforementioned at this time.
  • Seed Procurement / Seed Quality – Seed that exists in Colorado may be variable and have unknown THC levels. Random sampling of hemp fields will be conducted. There is a limited amount of CDA approved certified seed available.
  • Seed vs. Grain – Seed represents a product that will germinate, grow or reproduce. Grain is seed that has been treated so that it will not germinate, grow or reproduce and will be used for processing or consumption.
  • Pesticides – There are a limited number of pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc.) currently registered for use on Cannabis spp. (Industrial Hemp and marijuana) due to the predominant federal nature of pesticide regulation. The CDA has a list of pesticides that could be
    used on Cannabis spp. and not constitute a violation of pesticide labeling or other federal and state pesticide laws and regulations. This list is available on the CDA website.
  • Federal Farm Programs such as crop insurance, farm loans and conservation reserve may be jeopardized if industrial hemp is planted; these programs are managed by USDA a Federal Agency. Contact a lawyer for legal advice or the agency responsible for this information.
  • Banking – Banks such as state-chartered banks may be reluctant to provide services to Cannabis growers for fear of being prosecuted for federal laws and regulations violations. The CDA is not able to provide banking information related to industrial hemp.
  • Processing – Colorado’s industrial hemp rules state that industrial hemp producers must be able to provide documentation of in-state processing as part of registration. It is unknown at this time how many processing facilities will be available in Colorado at time of harvest.
  • Zoning – Check with local, city and county conveyances, codes and zoning requirements for industrial hemp prior to planting. While you can register with the State of Colorado to cultivate Industrial Hemp, local jurisdictions may have their own ordinances on land use.
  • Shipping – Shipping Industrial Hemp outside of Colorado is beyond the jurisdiction of the CDA. This remains federal jurisdiction and open to deliberation with federal officials.
  • Selling – Selling material outside of the regulated program exposes the registrant and the buyer to
    legal scrutiny from outside entities. The CDA does not have information at this time on who may be interested in purchasing materials from growers.

Our job is keeping you and your business…protected. We’ll continue our education on hemp and CBD later this week. 

 

Rick

 

All Access Insurance in Littleton, CO,  who represents multiple insurance companies as a “Broker” and provides products for auto, home,  commercial, workers compensation, and much more! Call us today for a free quote at (303) 932-1700.