Time is ticking for Oregon hemp farmers. Beau Whitney, the founder and chief economist of Whitney Economics, estimated the 2019 Oregon hemp crop could be worth more than $1 billion. After that, Oregon hemp farmers could come under direct oversight over the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Oregon has more acres devoted to growing hemp than potatoes and onions combined. As of Oct. 7 2019, the Oregon Department of Agriculture licensed 1,940 growers and slightly more than 63,000 acres of hemp, making it the second largest hemp growing state in the nation.
Time is ticking for Oregon hemp farmers. Says Hemp Grower
When Republican state senators walked out of the Capitol at the end of February to prevent a vote on a climate bill, they opened the door to uncertainty for hemp farmers.
Republicans’ continued absence jeopardizes passage of House Bill 4072, which would give the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) the authority to conduct criminal background checks and other necessary requirements to comply with the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The legislative session is scheduled to adjourn March 8.
“We’ve...
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