Both the Nebraska Hemp Association and the Nebraska Chapter of the Hemp Industries Association today requested Governor Ricketts reject the industrial hemp regulations proposed by the Department of Agriculture and grant their previous requests for a meeting to discuss their proposals for industrial hemp research and development in Nebraska.

The organizations made their first joint request to meet with the Governor on May 15, 2015 to discuss the deficiencies of the proposed regulations and the economic development industrial hemp could provide rural Nebraskans and their communities. The Governor has not yet agreed to any meeting.

Bill Achord, President of the Nebraska Hemp Association, said, “At least 35 other industrial countries promote hemp. Congress and the Legislature authorized research plots over a year and 3 months ago. Nebraska still has no final regulations and those proposed would suppress development. We have a proposal consistent with the information given to the Department and 2 separate legislative committees. We are sending that proposal to the Governor and the Department today.”

“The Hemp Industries Association estimates that the value of retail sales of hemp products in America for 2014 was at least $620 million, up from $581 million in 2013. They forecast North American hemp industry annual earnings to surpass one billion dollars in 2015.  Cultivated acres in other North American countries are growing 24% annually,” said Jason Feldman, President of the Nebraska Chapter of the Hemp Industries Association.

“Nearly all the hemp products sold in Lincoln, and across the United States are imported from Canada, European countries or China.  Kentucky, North Dakota, Maine, and other states are now permitting hemp to be grown legally. Other states can see the potential and are preparing. Nebraska could be a national leader, given our climate, soil, and expertise. Planting needs to start next spring. But we can’t even get the Governor to listen.”