The hemp industry has official approval to move forward in Idaho.
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) on Monday announced that the United States Department of Agriculture had approved the Idaho State Hemp Plan (ISHP).
Under the terms of the Idaho Code and the 2018 Farm Bill, the ISDA can proceed with licensing hemp producers and handlers.
Idaho legalized hemp production earlier this year when Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 126 into law.
In 2019, Governor Little issued an executive order authorizing hemp transportation through the state.
In addition to setting timelines for the ISHP, House Bill 126 legalized the production, processing, research, and transportation of hemp products with less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Sales and use of any cannabis products with more than 0.3 percent THC remain illegal in the state.
Under the terms of House Bill 126, the ISDA became responsible for developing a state hemp plan in compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill.
“I’m very proud of the entire ISDA team for working so quickly to implement the new law, and I know we could not have gotten here alone,” says ISDA Director Celia Gould. “We extend our thanks to the Governor’s office, industry stakeholders, Idaho State Police, USDA , and the Idaho law enforcement community for excellent collaboration and assistance.”
Anyone interested in participating in the Idaho hemp industry can apply for licenses at the ISDA website beginning November 8, 2021.
The ISDA website also provides resource documents to help applicants through the process.
