Vermont has decided to no longer operate a state hemp program as of 2023. The Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets recently sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture formally withdrawing from the USDA hemp pilot program. The agency will continue to operate their hemp program until December 31, 2022. During the transition period Vermont promises to participate in a joint webinar with the USDA, help refer registrants to the USDA grower licensing system, and engage in outreach to reach potential 2023 registrants.
Vermont first legalized hemp in 2013. The following year Congress passed the Agricultural Act of 2014 which allowed states to set up pilot programs to regulate the production of hemp. Hemp production was legalized nationwide in 2018 and USDA adopted rules in 2021 to oversee licensing of hemp growers and processors. As of 2023 Vermont hemp producers must apply to receive approval from the U. S. Domestic Hemp Production Program.
Find the announcement from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets here: https://agriculture.vermont.gov/hemp-program/new-phase-vermont-hemp-production
For more information visit Hemptoday here: https://hemptoday.net/vermont-abandons-hemp-program-less-than-one-year-after-it-started/
