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January 27, 2022

CT hemp cultivation plan approved for 2022, applications now open

Oral CBD hemp oil.
By Skyler Frazer

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s hemp production plan was approved by the federal government earlier this month, state officials said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the “Connecticut State Plan for Hemp Production,” paving the way for this year’s cultivation. Applications are now being accepted, and state hemp officials recently met to go over some key information and statistics from last year’s grow.

Details about the program -- like specifics about testing and crop cultivation and destruction -- can be found on the state’s website. Some changes to the USDA’s program, which Connecticut had to align with, include requirements of applicants to: report the exact location and acreage of hemp plants; collect hemp samples for testing 30 days before harvest; and register with the USDA’s Farm Service Agency.

According to state officials, more than 328 acres of hemp have been harvested in the state since the program’s inception in May 2019. Last year there were 98 hemp licenses issued for 397 different lots, including 470,600 square feet of indoor hemp growing space and 85 acres planted. That includes 49 different kinds of hemp, state officials said.

Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt said the state has had to change parts of the program a few times since 2019 to be compliant with modified USDA standards. 

“Now as we roll into 2022 we’re finally having a fully authorized state hemp program, which means this should be the last time that we have to make these adjustments to be in compliance with our federal guidelines,” Hurlburt said.

Any growers participating in Connecticut’s program with licenses that expired at the end of last year need to reapply under the new program to grow hemp this year.

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