Hemp Farmers – Make your voice heard at the USDA Industrial Hemp Webinar

This is your opportunity to make your voice heard

The hemp and CBD industry are intertwined—they depend on one another, and regulations that affect one can, and will, affect the other. That’s why it’s so important to have your voice heard when the USDA provides you with the space to do so. The vast majority of hemp farms and CBD companies in the United States aren’t represented by a lobby. Short of sitting down and writing the USDA or your local congressman (who statistically will never directly read your message to begin with), public forums are the best way to make yourself heard.

Join your fellow hemp farmers on March 13th, 2019

What is the point of the webinar?

The webinar is being held specifically to solicit public commentary on portions of the 2018 USDA Farm Bill as they relate to industrial hemp. You can learn more about the U.S. Hemp Production Program here.

Why should you attend the webinar?

The USDA Webinar will be your only chance to speak up about regulations that are currently being developed, and will not be implemented until the 2020 hemp growing season.

Does it cost anything to join?

No, the USDA hemp webinar will be completely free.

Does the government support hemp and CBD production?

According to the Canna Law Blog, the FDA believes that “Congress wants there to be a pathway for CBD to be available,” and is operating off of that assumption.

Who else is in favor of the Industrial Hemp Program?

ATTRA NCAT have made their readers aware of the webinar as have MJ Shareholders, Pot Portal, and several other cannabis-industry sites. Although the USDA website isn’t the most visually satisfying web portal, they have released bulletins in addition to their new Hemp webinar specific web pages.

What are some of the operations procedures that may be affected by changes to the 2018 USDA Farm Bill?

• Information maintenance regarding land used for hemp cultivation.
• Delta-0-tretrahydrocannabinol testing of hemp plants.
• Hemp plant, product, and byproduct disposal methods and requirements.
• Provisions regarding compliance with Farm Bill statutes.

How can I register to speak during the webinar?

You can register here to speak or provide oral commentary during the listening session.

How many people will get a chance to speak?

The Webinar will only allow for 60 speakers, at 3 minutes speaking time each.

You must submit your comments beforehand.

Email your comments to farmbill.hemp@usda.gov before March 11, 2019 if you would like the opportunity to speak during the Webinar.

Include the following in your email

1. A complete transcript of the comments you wish to make, not to exceed 3 minutes in length when spoken aloud.
2. Your First name and Last name.
3. The name of the Organization or Business you represent.
4. Your Organizational or Job title.
5. Your Address including City and State
6. Your Email Address
7. Your Phone Number

How will you know if you’ve been selected to speak?

A webinar agenda will be released on this event website by March 11, 2019.

You can find out more about the 2018 Farm Bill Implementation Listening Session here.

How many viewers can watch the Webinar at one time?

Only 1,000 viewers at a time will be able to view the webinar.

Who should you contact if you have any questions?

You can reach Andrew Hatch (Chief, Program Services Branch, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA) by phone at (202) 720-6862 or by email at andrew.hatch@usda.gov