By JORDAN STRICKLER

Kentucky Correspondent

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Continuing with its successful hemp growing, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) has opened the application period for those wishing to participate in the state’s industrial hemp research pilot program for the 2018 growing season.

“I am proud to report that our program participants grew more than 3,200 acres of hemp this year, the most ever under the industrial hemp research program,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles. “My vision is to expand and strengthen our research pilot program to put industrial hemp on a responsible path toward commercialization. Our increased production and processing is welcome news for the industry.”

In 2017, Kentucky’s farmers planted 3,200 acres of hemp, up from 2,350 in 2016, 922 in 2015 and 33 acres in 2014 – the first year of the program. In addition to 194 grower participants, 48 hemp processors are conducting research as part of the KDA program.

Recently, bipartisan legislation was introduced at the national level which could invigorate the hemp industry. House Resolution 3530 – the Industrial Hemp Farming Act – was authored by U.S. Reps. James Comer and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.). The bill would exempt industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act.

The United States is currently the No. 1 importer of hemp fiber, most of which it buys from China and Canada. According to a 2005 Congressional Research Service report, the U.S. is the only developed nation that has not developed an industrial hemp crop for economic purposes.

Experts suggest that the U.S. market for hemp products is approximately $600 million per year. Currently hemp that is grown can be sold for profit, but only if authorized by a state's agriculture authorities.

Applications for pilot programs may be downloaded from the KDA website at www.kyagr.com/hemp and must be postmarked or received by Nov. 15, at 4:30 p.m. EST. Processor/handler applications are preferred by the same date, with a final deadline of June 1, 2018.

This year, the KDA is also opening a public comment period for preliminary draft regulations governing the industrial hemp research pilot program. Earlier in 2017, the Kentucky General Assembly passed state Senate Bill 218, tasking the KDA with promulgating administrative regulations for the program.

Once the process is complete, program rules will be found in administrative regulations, as the law prescribes.