Sparks, Nev -
June 23, 2021The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) State
of Nevada Hemp Plan was approved by the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) on May 28, 2021. The USDA requires states with hemp programs
to submit a plan describing how the state’s regulations and processes will meet
federal requirements to ensure hemp, not marijuana, make it to consumers. Hemp
is defined by a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of less than 0.3%,
differentiating it from marijuana more commonly associated with the
psychoactive effects of THC.
“We are committed to the preservation and promotion
of the hemp industry in Nevada,” said NDA Plant Industry Division Administrator
Ashley Jeppson. “The approval of our Nevada Hemp Plan will allow for support to
be provided on a state level and for resources to be allocated for this industry.”
Per USDA federal regulations, all state hemp
programs must have a plan that meets minimum federal guidelines. This includes describing
state processes for registering growers, crop sampling and chemical analysis,
and remediation or disposal of non-compliant crops. Hemp must be confirmed
through chemical analysis measuring the THC concentration, and crops exceeding
0.3% THC are considered non-compliant.
The NDA provided a presentation detailing
federal requirements to certified hemp growers. In addition, the NDA held three
public workshops and a hearing to receive public input and engage with the
industry.
The approved State
of Nevada Hemp Plan can be viewed on the USDA
website, and more information on the NDA Hemp program can be found at agri.nv.gov/hemp.
About the Nevada Department of Agriculture
The Nevada
Department of Agriculture (NDA) mission is to preserve, protect and
promote Nevada’s agriculture. The department has 150 dedicated employees
providing services in its five divisions, Administration, Animal Industry,
Consumer Equitability, Food and Nutrition, and Plant Industry. The department’s
$232 million budget facilitates regulatory and administrative work in
agriculture and food manufacturing industries, protecting public and
environmental health and worker safety, and providing food distribution and
oversight for the United States Department of Agriculture’s school and
community nutrition programs.
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