Industrical Hemp Production in Nevada

by Leanna Lehman --  Nevada has recently legalized the growing of commercial hemp in the United States thanks to the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill last December. Ashley Jeppson from the Nevada Department of Agriculture, NDA, addressed local officials and Fallon Rotarians on Tuesday. According to Jeppson, there are now approximately 8,000 acres of hemp production in Nevada.  As defined in Nevada Bill 396 (NRS 557), the growth of commercial hemp is legal as long as it does not exceed regulatory concentration limits. Some confusion surrounds the hemp and marijuana as industries, as both are new crops on the Nevada agricultural landscape.  Hemp and marijuana plants are both subspecies of cannabis.  THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive component in cannabis and generally is concentrated in the plant between 15%-25%, but can test higher. While it is federally illegal to cultivate marijuana, it is legal within the State of Nevada under the purview and guidelines set forth by the Department of Taxation.  According to federal law, cannabis is considered hemp as long as no part of the plant, including the flowers and seeds, exceed a 3% concentration limit of THC. The Farm Bill, which previously restricted the cultivation of the hemp flower, permits growers to extract and process the female flower which is the source of the popular CBD oil. CBD is the second most prevalent cannabinoid in the cannabis plant and is non-intoxicating, unlike THC.  It is touted as a medical treatment for wide range ailments including certain types of epilepsy, arthritis, pain, depression, schizophrenia, diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease, and several other conditions. CBD oils are now also being seen in pet products, given to children, used in such as creams and lotions, and is used both orally and topically. “The role of the Department of Ag is to keep the cultivation hemp and marijuana separate,” said Jeppson.  Growers must get state approval before being able to legally produce hemp in Nevada and are subject to an application and permit process, inspections, and product testing to ensure compliance. Components within the hemp plant can change during its growing season. Growers must constantly monitor THC levels as stress, water and soil conditions, weather, and other factors can alter the plant's TCH levels. “Growers are required to notify the state within 15 days of harvest,” states Jeppson. “If crops test above the 3% concentration limit it will be retested. If it tests too high the second time, the crop must be destroyed.” Hemp production for the purpose CBD oil is proving a promising tax revenue source with seemingly unlimited medicinal applications; however, NDA reminds Nevadans that it is a felony to grow hemp in the state without a license. The Farm Bill now places CBD oil from hemp under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA explicitly states that CBD is neither a legitimate food supplement nor a medication and must not be marketed or labeled as such. Locally sourced CBD can be found at Western States Hemp For more information on hemp in Nevada go to - Nevada Department of Ag   Support local, independent news – contribute to The Fallon Post, your non-profit (501c3) online news source for all things Fallon. Never miss the local news -- read more on The Fallon Post home page.