USDA Won’t Enforce Rule Requiring Hemp To Be Tested At DEA Labs For Another Year Due To ‘Inadequate’ Access For Growers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is once again delaying enforcement of a rule requiring hemp growers to test their crops exclusively at labs registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), citing “setbacks” at the agency that have led to “inadequate” access to such facilities.
This is the third year in a row that USDA has delayed enforcement of the lab testing policy for hemp required under the 2018 Farm Bill that federally legalized the crop. Growers will still need to follow other testing rules to ensure product safety compliance, but the DEA registration requirement now won’t be enforced until at least December 31, 2025 under the newly extended timeline.
“USDA is delaying enforcement of this requirement based on input received from state and tribal governments and third-party cannabis testing facilities that have experienced delays in completing the DEA laboratory registration process,” the department said. “Because of these setbacks in the completion of the DEA process, USDA is concerned there will be inadequate approved hemp laboratory testing capacity for the 2025 growing season. Laboratories testing hemp must comply with all other regulatory requirements.”
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/usda-wont-enforce-rule-requiring-hemp-to-be-tested-at-dea-labs-for-another-year-due-to-inadequate-access-for-growers/