Hemp Farming Permits Exceeded Expectations for 2018
Sunday, January 27th, 2019 -- 8:43 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -Two state lawmakers who were instrumental in legalizing industrial hemp farming in Wisconsin say the crop's return in 2018 exceeded expectations.Sen. Patrick Testin of Stevens Point and Rep. Tony Kurtz from Wonewoc say nearly 250 grower permits and 100 processor licenses were issued by the Department of Agriculture this past year--far surpassed the interest initially projected by industry experts. The GOP legislators believe that 2019 will bring even more growth in the hemp industry. Currently, they are working on legislation to help farmers, processors, retailers and consumers move forward with confidence. DATCP could issue two to three times more licenses this year than it did in 2017.
Former Governor Scott Walker signed a bill in December 2017 that authorized farmers to grow hemp under a pilot program as long as they obtained a license. Nearly a year later, the 2018 Farm Bill also made the practice legal on a federal level.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.