# Industrial Hemp Act of 2023: What You Need to Know

This bill makes it easier for farmers to grow industrial hemp as a commercial crop across the United States. Industrial hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant that contains very little THC (the compound that gets you high), so it's fundamentally different from marijuana. Right now, hemp farming is heavily regulated by the federal government, which makes it complicated and expensive for farmers to get into the business. This bill removes many of those restrictions and lets states have more control over their own hemp programs instead of the federal government micromanaging everything.

The practical effect is that farmers who want to grow hemp for things like fiber, seeds, or CBD products won't have to jump through as many hoops or deal with as much red tape. Currently, hemp farmers have to get special licenses, follow strict testing requirements, and deal with federal oversight that makes the whole process slow and costly. Under this bill, the process becomes more streamlined and similar to how other agricultural crops are regulated. This could help American farmers compete with countries like Canada and China that already have thriving hemp industries, and it could create new jobs in farming, processing, and manufacturing.

For consumers, this could mean more domestically-produced hemp products at potentially lower prices, since American farmers would find it more practical to enter the market. It also supports the growing industry around hemp-based products like textiles, paper, and wellness items. The bill essentially recognizes that hemp is a legitimate agricultural commodity rather than treating it like a controlled substance, which aligns federal law with the reality that many states have already legalized hemp farming.

Industrial Hemp Act of 2023

Tester, Jon

Industrial Hemp Act of 2023 This bill exempts industrial hemp production from certain inspection and testing requirements. Under current law, the hemp production program requires that all hemp production meet the same inspection and testing requirements. The bill amends the hemp production programs for a state, Indian tribe, and the Department of Agriculture to (1) establish a separate definition for industrial hemp, (2) require a procedure for hemp producers to designate the type of hemp production as industrial hemp or hemp for any other purpose, and (3) exclude industrial hemp from testing requirements. Industrial hemp producers are subject to annual visual inspections. If a producer fails a visual inspection, the producer may be (1) required to provide certain documentation on the in-field practices, and (2) subject to chemical testing on harvested material. Currently, a person with a felony conviction related to a controlled substance is prohibited from participating in the hemp production program for ten years. This bill includes an exception to allow participation by a person producing industrial hemp. However, a person who knowingly produces a crop that is inconsistent with the industrial hemp designation is prohibited from participating in the hemp production program for five years. The bill also preempts state and tribal law for the regulation of industrial hemp.