Alaska Regulators Propose Rules for Hemp Farming

The Alaska Division of Agriculture has completed draft regulations for implementing the state’s industrial hemp industry. The regulations come after the passage of Senate Bill 6 in 2018. Once the bill was signed into law, it directed the Division of Agriculture to create regulations for the state’s hemp pilot program.

The goal of the division was to determine the best varieties of hemp for the climate in Alaska, according to the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman. The division is also working on a state registry for hemp farming as well as guidelines for manufacturing and retail operations. Once regulations are finalized, they will be issued so that hemp cultivation can begin.

The Director of the Division of Agriculture, David W. Schade, said, “These proposed (state) regulations are a result of the efforts to implement that directive. Our staff has researched the issues surrounding development of a program, including the challenges of regulating cannabidiol (CBD), one of the compounds found in cannabis plants. We’ve worked with the Department of Law to develop a good legal framework for the industry.”

DNR Commissioner Corrie Feige said, “With the 2018 farm bill declassifying industrial hemp as a controlled substance, there is even greater interest in this proposed industry. Alaska is one of the leading states in this effort, and it’s important that we hear from all interested parties on these regulations so we can get it right.”

The proposed guidelines can be viewed using the Alaska Online Public Notice system on the Alaska Plant Materials Center webpage.