South Dakota is closer to submitting a final proposal to regulate hemp to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but it’s likely a framework won’t be in place for this growing season.
South Dakota officials sent a draft plan Thursday for the USDA’s review before a final submission, KELOLAND News reported.
State Department of Agriculture spokeswoman JaCee Aaseth said the department is not only working on a final plan, but also staffing the program, and crafting administrative rules. She said there’s no specific timeline for when the state would start accepting applications to cultivate hemp.
To date, the USDA has approved 17 state plans. Some 22 states, including one (Montana) that has received USDA approval for its 2020 plans, are operating under the 2014 pilot research program for the 2020 season.
