The state of Idaho legalized industrial hemp in 2021, the last to do so after the 2018 Farm Bill was passed. Governor Brad Little signed a measure to legalize the production, sale and transportation of the crop in April of that year, with production beginning the next year.
Reports from the state’s Department of Agriculture show that between 2022 and now, the acreage of hemp crop cultivated in Idaho has quadrupled.
Many expected the nascent industry to bolster the state’s economy greatly and while some strides have been made, farmers maintain that some restrictions are holding Idaho back. Triston Sponseller, a hemp processer and farmer, explains that primary concerns lie in the belief that hemp is marijuana or a stepping stone to ‘weed.’ He argues that this is not the case, as hemp is a launching pad to construction.
The crop has a million uses in hempitecture. For instance, it can be used to manufacture hempcrete, a building material that’s good for insulation. Hemp can also be used for landscaping.
He explains that hemp isn’t marijuana or CBD but fiber, which is needed for industrial manufacturing. Sponseller cultivates hemp in Roberts, Idaho and was the biggest grower in the state in 2022 and 2023. He adds that however, THC can be found in hemp seeds and flower, which are found in the seed head.
THC is one of the two primary psychoactive compounds found in the cannabis plant, the other being CBD. Unlike THC though, CBD does not induce a high when ingested.
This year, Sponseller grew the crop to harvest its seeds. Upon testing though, results showed that his crop had surpassed the legal 0.3 limit for hemp cultivators. As a result, he received a strike from the agriculture department and was also required to remove the top part of the crop.
This happened to 4 other farmers despite all of them purchasing what they thought was certified hemp seed. Getting 3 strikes in 5 years as a hemp producer prohibits you from producing the crop for another 5 years.
This, coupled with the extra costs farmers would have to foot to pay for extra tests on more crop, has turned many farmers cautious. Sponseller believes that the state relaxing some of its restrictions, particularly regarding remediation, would go a long way.
It already helps that the rotational crop makes soil more nutrient-dense and requires minimal water. In addition, he notes, it would create more manufacturing jobs in the state.
As the industry continues its growth around the country, entities like Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) would appreciate the creation of policies and regulations which align with the realities that all industry players face while conducting their operations.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Software Effective Solutions Corp. (d/b/a MedCana) (OTC: SFWJ) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/SFWJ
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