WDA 11-1-19
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released an interim final rule for hemp regulation in the United States on October 31, 2019. The Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA) is reviewing this rule to determine what changes need to be made to the state plan in order to receive delegated authority for hemp regulation in Wyoming.
“We’re excited to move forward in this process to provide more crop options for producers in Wyoming,” said Doug Miyamoto, director of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. “With the release of this interim final rule, we have the opportunity to amend the plan we submitted in April to better align our program with the federal regulatory framework to increase our chances of receiving delegated authority to regulate hemp in Wyoming.”
In order to receive delegated authority from the USDA, state plans must be at least as stringent as the federal regulatory framework set forth by the USDA in the 161 page rule. The WDA is working with Governor Gordon’s office and the Wyoming Attorney General’s office on the plan review and amendments prior to resubmitting the plan to the USDA. Once the WDA submits our amended state plan to the USDA, they will have 60 days to review our plan to determine if the WDA will receive delegated authority to implement and oversee a hemp regulatory program in Wyoming.
“We are working through this lengthy document to find the areas our state plan needs to change in order to be as stringent as the federal regulations,” said Miyamoto. “Our goal is to work this through the process as quickly as we can so we are prepared to have licenses available for producers and processors upon receiving delegated authority prior to the 2020 growing season.”
The WDA will provide updates on the hemp program status throughout this process. For more information on the hemp program in Wyoming, please visit agriculture.wy.gov/divisions/ts/wyindustrialhemp
