Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program

Published date18 December 2019
Record Number2019-27245
SectionRules and Regulations
CourtAgricultural Marketing Service
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 243 (Wednesday, December 18, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 18, 2019)]
                [Rules and Regulations]
                [Page 69295]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2019-27245]
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                DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                Agricultural Marketing Service
                7 CFR Part 990
                [Doc. No. AMS-SC-19-0042; SC19-990-2 IR]
                Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program
                AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
                ACTION: Interim final rule with request for comments; extension of
                comment period due date.
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural
                Marketing Service (AMS) is extending the comment period due date for an
                interim final rule published on October 31, 2019, by an additional
                thirty (30) days from December 30, 2019 to January 29, 2020. The
                interim final rule establishes a domestic hemp production program
                pursuant to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The rule outlines
                provisions for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to approve plans
                submitted by States and Indian Tribes for the domestic production of
                hemp. It also establishes a Federal plan for producers in States or
                territories of Indian Tribes that do not have their own USDA-approved
                plan. The program includes provisions for maintaining information on
                the land where hemp is produced, testing the levels of delta-9
                tetrahydrocannabinol, disposing of plants not meeting necessary
                requirements, licensing requirements, and ensuring compliance with the
                requirements of the new part.
                DATES: Comments due dates: The comment period for the interim final
                rule published on October 31, 2019 (84 FR 58522), is extended. Comments
                received by January 29, 2020, will be considered prior to issuance of a
                final rule. Additionally, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act
                (PRA), comments on the information collection burden must also be
                received by January 29, 2020.
                ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments
                concerning this rule and the proposed information collection. Comments
                should be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking portal at
                www.regulations.gov. Comments may also be filed with Docket Clerk,
                Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS,
                USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-
                0237; or Fax: (202) 720-8938. All comments should reference the
                document number and the date and page number of this issue of the
                Federal Register and will be made available for public inspection in
                the Office of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours or can be
                viewed at: www.regulations.gov. All comments submitted in response to
                this rule will be included in the record and will be made available to
                the public.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Richmond, Chief, U.S. Domestic
                Hemp Production Program, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA; 1400
                Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237;
                Telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or Email:
                [email protected] or Patty Bennett, Director, Marketing Order
                and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA at the same
                address and phone number above or Email: [email protected].
                 Small businesses may request information on complying with this
                regulation by contacting Richard Lower, Marketing Order and Agreement
                Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue
                SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-2491,
                Fax: (202) 720-8938, or Email: [email protected].
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule (84 FR 58522) was issued under
                Section 10113 of Public Law 115-334, the Agriculture Improvement Act of
                2018 (2018 Farm Bill). Section 10113 amended the Agricultural Marketing
                Act of 1946 (AMA) by adding Subtitle G (sections 297A through 297D of
                the AMA). Section 297B of the AMA requires the Secretary of Agriculture
                (Secretary) to evaluate and approve or disapprove State or Tribal plans
                regulating the production of hemp. Section 297C of the AMA requires the
                Secretary to establish a Federal plan for producers in States and
                territories of Indian Tribes not covered by plans approved under
                section 297B. Lastly, section 297D of the AMA requires the Secretary to
                promulgate regulations and guidelines relating to the production of
                hemp in consultation with the U.S. Attorney General. USDA is committed
                to issuing the final rule expeditiously after reviewing public comments
                and obtaining additional information during the initial implementation.
                USDA may request more comments after the 2020 growing season has ended.
                In response to requests by commenters to AMS and executive departments
                and agencies that the public comment due date for this rule be
                extended, AMS is extending the comment period by an additional thirty
                (30) days to January 29, 2020.
                 Dated: December 10, 2019.
                Bruce Summers,
                Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
                [FR Doc. 2019-27245 Filed 12-17-19; 8:45 am]
                 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
                

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