Final regulations governing the U.S. production of domestic hemp become effective March 22. Farmers and others affected by the development must now adhere to requirements widely considered a vast improvement over an interim final rule (IFR) published in October 2019.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the massive final rule in January under then-President Donald Trump, but as part of a customary review of pending regulatory actions during a new administration, USDA took time to review the 301-page document following the inauguration of President Joe Biden.
“We’re really pleased that the final rule was such an incredible improvement over the interim final rule, and it really demonstrates both that the career staff at the USDA as well as the new Biden administration took into account all of the industry’s concerns,” said Jonathan Miller, general counsel to the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, in an interview.