Hemp is an incredibly versatile crop that can provide strong fiber, nutritious seed and highly valuable phytocompounds including cannabinoids and terpenes. It is critical that USDA recognize the full value and potential of hemp and create regulations that allow farmers to tap into the entire potential of hemp. We encourage USDA to replace the “Statement of Principles on Industrial Hemp” issued jointly with FDA and DEA, with a new statement acknowledging that hemp is no longer a controlled substance and recognizing that valid hemp uses include all parts of the plant and are not limited only to “industrial purposes.

Carol Lapetino