Federal pesticide regulators are reviewing products for use on hemp, a major step toward making the newly legal crop a national commodity.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday asked for public comment on 10 pesticide applications it has received.
The EPA “is taking the next step toward registering crop-protection tools for hemp in time for use during the 2020 application and growing seasons,” administrator Andrew Wheeler in an agency announcement.
Wheeler said the EPA hopes the “transparent and public process” will bring increased regulatory clarity to hemp farmers in time for next growing season, which the industry has been asking for since the 2018 Farm Bill passed.
Comments will be due 30 days after the information is officially posted on the federal register. Tips for preparing and submitting comments are available here.
The agency said it plans to review applications for pesticide use on hemp as it would for any other crop.
