Subject: News release: Hemp licenses  12-12-07
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 09:52:03 -0600
Thread-Topic: News release: Hemp licenses  12-12-07
Thread-Index: Acg8DcW6A3djUZXhToiYIFjToGRD8w==
From: "Quanrud, Ted W."
X-RCPT-TO:

North Dakota Department of Agriculture

NEWS RELEASE

Dec. 11, 2007

2008 INDUSTRIAL HEMP GROWERS APPLICATIONS DUE JAN. 1

BISMARCK - Applications for 2008 North Dakota industrial hemp production licenses are due Jan. 1.

"Industrial hemp production remains in limbo," said Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson. "The refusal of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to distinguish industrial hemp from marijuana casts considerable doubt on whether holders of state licenses will be allowed to grow industrial hemp. Nevertheless, I am committed to fully implementing state laws authorizing the production, processing and sale of this crop in North Dakota."

Johnson said persons interested in growing and processing industrial hemp should contact Ken Junkert at the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) at (701) 328-2231 or kjunkert@nd.gov. More information is also available on the NDDA website, www.agdepartment.com.

"Prospective growers should understand that the process involves a criminal background check including fingerprints, as well as fees and considerable paperwork," Johnson said. "Finally, there is no guarantee that license holders will be allowed to grow industrial hemp."

Johnson said it may take congressional action to amend the Controlled Substances Act before state-licensed growers can produce the crop.

"That will likely be a lengthy and, given the current climate in Washington, very difficult process," he said. "It is unfortunate because the production of industrial hemp presents virtually no potential for illegitimate purposes and because the crop has considerable potential in North Dakota and other states."

Two farmers - Rep. David Monson, Osnabrock, and Wayne Hauge, Ray - obtained grower licenses in 2007 and applied for DEA registration to be bulk manufacturers of industrial hemp. DEA did not act on the registration applications. Monson's and Hauge's state industrial hemp licenses expire Dec. 31. 

-30-

MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210 or plahlum@nd.gov.