The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, it might be said, is harshing the vibe of some growers of industrial hemp. The agency nixed its early signals that some farms would be certified as producing an organic crop, says Harvest Public Media.
A handful of states either allow growing of industrial hemp or research into its uses. Industrial hemp, used in fabric and consumer products, is part of the same plant family as marijuana. Although marijuana remains illegal under federal law, two dozen states have approved medicinal use of marijuana and three allow recreational use. The connection between hemp and marijuana inspired some lampooning when hemp farms, such as CBDRx in Colorado, said they had federal recognition for organic hemp.
“The dispute over whether to certify hemp as organic puts the plant’s murky legal status on full display,” said Harvest Public Media. Some of the companies that obtained organic certification before USDA’s change in policy “are using the organic seal to market products.”
“Organic certification of industrial hemp production at this time is premature and would be misleading to certified organic operations,” says an AMS directive issued last week. “The legality of the various uses of this product has not yet been determined.”
In related news, Colorado marijuana regulators put a hold on a large number of plans and products from two cultivation facilities in Colorado Springs over concerns they were treated with unapproved pesticides, says the Cannabist. “The health-and-safety advisory by the state’s Marijuana Enforcement Division is the first use of an executive order issued in November by Gov. John Hickenlooper declaring pesticide-laden pot a ‘public safety risk.'” The hold was issued last week. Denver health officials have issued several recalls and health advisories about marijuana contaminated by pesticides, said the Cannabist, which is a part of the Denver Post.