BY ACM STAFF
Arizona’s new, closely watched hemp program got one step closer to launching on Wednesday April 24th, when AZDA Industrial Hemp Program Manager Brian McGrew sent out an email announcing the program’s new early application start date.
“Industrial Hemp Program applications and forms are [now] available for download. Please submit early applications by May 17th,” McGrew’s email explained. Its the second time in less than a year, the Ag Dept. has been able to advance the start date. Sen Sonny Borrelli’s SB1003, signed last month, moved the start date for the program from Aug to June.
The new announcement hurries the process one step more: “Applicants that submit complete and accurate application packets by May 17th will be provided an opportunity to complete the process (submit licensing fee, sign licensing agreement, etc.) during an application event on May 31st, June 2nd and 3rd; or be provided information on how to complete the process by mail.”
Applications are being accepted for hemp farmers, harvesters, processors and nurseries. “Applicants will be contacted with additional information about the event once their application packet is reviewed,” McGrew’s email continued. “Applications, forms, and instructions can be found here: https://agriculture.az.gov/plantsproduce/industrial-hemp-program.”
McGrew previously announced the fee schedule at last month’s monthly public hearing and later at the inaugural HITA meeting April 11th. Hemp program committee member and national executive director of the Hemp Industry Association, Colleen Keahey Lanier, cheered the announcement. “It’s good to see the dept. understands the excitement around this crop and could work out advancing the start date. Right on!”
The US hemp market which totaled $820 million in sales in 2017 is expected to explode to $22 billion by 2022. For more info on AZ’s new program check out the Dept. of Ag’s Industrial Hemp home page or review their guideline document here.
–ACM Staff