South Carolina to Double Industrial Hemp Program
[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]S[/dropcap]outh Carolina’s pilot program for industrial hemp is expected to double, possibly making hemp a reliable cash crop for the state.
According to WTOC, the 2019 South Carolina Industrial Hemp Pilot Program will consist of 40 farmers who will be selected to grow a total of 40 acres of hemp in 2019. The South Carolina Commission of Agriculture hopes to provide an opportunity to study how industrial hemp can best be used in the state.
This year, South Carolina chose 20 farmers to grow 20 acres of hemp each. Since the program has been successful so far, lawmakers are willing to expand. The hemp harvest this year will begin in June, and many more are already interested in signing up with the program for next year.
“Prospective growers throughout the state are eager to join the program even without knowing exactly where it’s going to grow best,” Sally McKay with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.
Many farmers are happy to take advantage of growing hemp, not because of its relation to the smokeable version of cannabis, but because it provides a great opportunity to make money and expand industry.
“I think that any farmer that has the capability to grow this should be able to grow it,” said Janel Ralph, CEO of a CBD oil company that uses hemp to derive its products. “That’s the only way we’re going to know and understand how this crop is going to benefit the farmers in South Carolina.”
Industrial hemp was approved in 2017 in South Carolina and the state is also working on developing a more inclusive medical cannabis program. The state will soon become a leader when it comes to the manufacturing of hemp products for industrial use.
