Gordon releases Wyoming hemp update

Wyoming is awaiting federal review and approval of its plans to manage a new hemp industry in the state.

Governor Mark Gordon said the program was authorized by the 2019 legislature with passage of House Bill 171. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the federal Controlled Substances Act, authorizing a federal hemp program under state-delegated authority. Gordon said Wyoming is now waiting for the US Department of Agriculture to issue regulations and review the state’s plan. That plan was completed in April.

“Wyoming is doing everything we can to launch the hemp industry,” Governor Gordon said. “We have investigated every opportunity to move this industry forward in the state within our present statutory framework. Last week, during a horseback ride with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, I encouraged him to get agency rules in place as soon as possible, and that our farmers were depending on them.”

Wyoming Agriculture Department Director Doug Miyamoto said the state was ready. “We are installing testing equipment in our Analytical Services Laboratory right now. We will request emergency rulemaking authority as soon as our plan is approved,” said Miyamoto. “This would allow immediate implementation of our program while we concurrently take public comment on our rules.”

You can find the Governor’s latest update here.