Grow Hemp in Connecticut
1) What is the current status of the Hemp Research Pilot Program in Connecticut?
Public Act 19-3, AN ACT CONCERNING A PILOT PROGRAM FOR HEMP PRODUCTION creates three (3) types of hemp licenses: growers, processors and manufacturers. During the 2019 growing season, all growers and processors will be operating under the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DOAG) Hemp Research Pilot Program (HRPP). Manufacturers of hemp products will be regulated by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). The processor license will be required to produce all animal food, and non-consumables, such as textiles and building products. The manufacturer license will be required for the in-state production of all consumables, which are defined as hemp products intended for human ingestion, inhalation, absorption or other internal consumption.
2) What are the research goals of the HRPP?
The HRPP supports research that advances the Department of Agriculture's understanding of hemp agriculture at national, regional and local levels. Research could include topics as simple as hemp seed planting depth or as complex as genomics-assisted crop improvements. It could also include processing and marketing topics.
3) Will there be minimum or maximum field sizes for hemp cultivation?
Yes, there is minimum field size of at least one-quarter acre for hemp cultivation. Before determining the size of your hemp crop, you may want to research hemp processors and manufacturers so you don't end up with a lot of hemp and no one to sell it to.
4) What is certified seed and will I need to use certified seed to begin my hemp research project?
Certified hemp seed may be obtained from other countries, and from other states. The grower is responsible for obtaining seed; DOAG is not involved in that process. The 4 Public Act defines certified seed as: hemp seed for which a certificate or any other instrument has been issued by an agency authorized under the laws of a state, territory or possession of the United States to officially certify hemp seed and that has standards and procedures approved by the United States Secretary of Agriculture to assure the genetic purity and identity of the hemp seed certified. Certified seed is a type of seed that has been bred to, over many generations, have certain traits. Plants with all the same traits are called "varieties." A variety is bred and maintained so that its characteristics are uniform, distinct and stable across generations. Plant traits that certified seed breeders breed for are things like plant height, plant uniformity, drought resistance, etc. (Genetics at CBD Seed Labs are of the highest quality and 100% USDA approved)