we got the call and the department is officially changing the sampling protocols to keep our farmers protected. 117 of you signing on really pushed this over the line so thank you for sticking with it. now we just keep a close eye on the rollout to make sure everything …
September 14, 2019
Final supporters
IF YOU ARE A HEMP LICENSE HOLDER WE URGE YOU TO SIGN OUR PETITION AND BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR LICENSE NUMBER
Dear Kent Leonhardt,
The West Virginia Hemp Industries Association (WVHIA) is proud to represent the most exciting agricultural industry of our time. Your administration has helped to open the door to an entirely new plant industry that will help to diversify our economy and improve our annual farm revenues. We applaud your victories under the pressure of our U.S. Attorney and praise your support of the farmers who are courageously venturing into this brave new world. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that our farmers will be protected and profitable over this critical time as we fight to gain a foothold in the global hemp industry.
To ensure that the investments made in hemp production and processing in West Virginia are not threatened by overly-restrictive regulations we need to have a conversation about the hemp sampling protocols for THC compliance. Our state’s hemp farmers are gravely concerned with the sampling methods that have been adopted by the WVDA Plant Industries Division. My intention is to quickly brief you of the problem with your administration's current sampling methodology and also provide a solution that will ensure compliance with federal law while putting our farmers at ease about their crop sampling this year.
Problem: The current sampling methodology does not distinguish between intact flowers and whole plant ground biomass. These are two distinct markets for these products and the sampling protocols need to fairly accommodate each harvesting practice.
Solution: Adopt the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s sampling protocols to ensure that farmers who grow for the intact flower and biomass markets are fairly tested for compliance with federal THC standards.
Please reference the attached “Procedures for Sampling, THC Testing, and Post-Testing Actions”[1] from Ryan F. Quarles, Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture. This document clearly and fairly addresses the concerns our farmers have with the sampling protocols for the intact flower and whole plant ground biomass markets, as well as the acceptable THC threshold. We are requesting that you to direct the Plant Industries Division to adopt similar sampling protocols. Without these critical changes, the current sampling system will surely fail our farmers and millions of vested dollars in our state’s agricultural economy will be lost. In addition, we are also advocating for utilization of WVU Extension Services agents to aide the department in conducting the sampling so that our farmres can rely on a timely sampling and test result.
We thank you for your time and attention to this very important and urgent matter. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any assistance that you may require in this request.
Very truly yours,
J. Morgan Leach
WVHIA President
(304) 834 - 2822
--------------------------------------
Marc Dunbar
WVHIA Executive Director
[1] Hemp Program Procedures for Sampling, THC Testing, and Post-Testing Actions https://www.kyagr.com/marketing/documents/HEMP_LH_THC-Sampling-Testing-Post-Testing-Procedures_2019.pdf
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
July 31, 2019
40 Comments
I agree with the WVHIA. We are struggling generational farmers that took a chance on one acre, hoping for the best outcome for our family.
We grew last year [2018], still haven't got the results from samples and testing 7/23/19
This should be an opportunity for you to return WV to the best hemp laws and rules in the nation. Please don't hesitate to let us all know you care about your farmer's livelihood and allow us to compete with our neighbor states with clear, simple, intelligent, inexpensive, achievable guidance.
As a WV farmer I support the proposed changes to help our hemp industry grow. Burden associated with the existing sampling protocol is one reason I have not yet started growing hemp in WV.
Over-Regulation is not conducive to a thriving Hemp industry within West Virginia and puts us at a significant disadvantage as an agricultural player on the national level. We need to be able to compete on a fair level as the industry grows.
Let's make WV great again... Let's move ahead without fear Keep it at 1% Educate and promote don't obstruct...WV and the world needs this plant...Don't give in to grandstanding, grandfather our legal intentions, save farms farmers and families...I Don't keep us Last...Jim promised we'd beat Kentucky...Let's learn from those with experience...
Resident
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we got the call and the department is officially changing the sampling protocols to keep our farmers protected. 117 of you signing on really pushed this over the line so thank you for sticking with it. now we just keep a close eye on the rollout to make sure everything …
September 14, 2019
Final supporters
IF YOU ARE A HEMP LICENSE HOLDER WE URGE YOU TO SIGN OUR PETITION AND BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR LICENSE NUMBER
Dear Kent Leonhardt,
The West Virginia Hemp Industries Association (WVHIA) is proud to represent the most exciting agricultural industry of our time. Your administration has helped to open the door to an entirely new plant industry that will help to diversify our economy and improve our annual farm revenues. We applaud your victories under the pressure of our U.S. Attorney and praise your support of the farmers who are courageously venturing into this brave new world. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that our farmers will be protected and profitable over this critical time as we fight to gain a foothold in the global hemp industry.
To ensure that the investments made in hemp production and processing in West Virginia are not threatened by overly-restrictive regulations we need to have a conversation about the hemp sampling protocols for THC compliance. Our state’s hemp farmers are gravely concerned with the sampling methods that have been adopted by the WVDA Plant Industries Division. My intention is to quickly brief you of the problem with your administration's current sampling methodology and also provide a solution that will ensure compliance with federal law while putting our farmers at ease about their crop sampling this year.
Problem: The current sampling methodology does not distinguish between intact flowers and whole plant ground biomass. These are two distinct markets for these products and the sampling protocols need to fairly accommodate each harvesting practice.
Solution: Adopt the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s sampling protocols to ensure that farmers who grow for the intact flower and biomass markets are fairly tested for compliance with federal THC standards.
Please reference the attached “Procedures for Sampling, THC Testing, and Post-Testing Actions”[1] from Ryan F. Quarles, Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture. This document clearly and fairly addresses the concerns our farmers have with the sampling protocols for the intact flower and whole plant ground biomass markets, as well as the acceptable THC threshold. We are requesting that you to direct the Plant Industries Division to adopt similar sampling protocols. Without these critical changes, the current sampling system will surely fail our farmers and millions of vested dollars in our state’s agricultural economy will be lost. In addition, we are also advocating for utilization of WVU Extension Services agents to aide the department in conducting the sampling so that our farmres can rely on a timely sampling and test result.
We thank you for your time and attention to this very important and urgent matter. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any assistance that you may require in this request.
Very truly yours,
J. Morgan Leach
WVHIA President
(304) 834 - 2822
--------------------------------------
Marc Dunbar
WVHIA Executive Director
[1] Hemp Program Procedures for Sampling, THC Testing, and Post-Testing Actions https://www.kyagr.com/marketing/documents/HEMP_LH_THC-Sampling-Testing-Post-Testing-Procedures_2019.pdf
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
July 31, 2019
40 Comments
I also would recommend removal of all registration for manufacturers and sellers requirements for products in its entirety. This is burdensome and limits marketability. It creates an unfair marketability for wv companies. It is certainly an over regulation that is not needed.
I agree with the WVHIA. We are struggling generational farmers that took a chance on one acre, hoping for the best outcome for our family.
We grew last year [2018], still haven't got the results from samples and testing 7/23/19
This should be an opportunity for you to return WV to the best hemp laws and rules in the nation. Please don't hesitate to let us all know you care about your farmer's livelihood and allow us to compete with our neighbor states with clear, simple, intelligent, inexpensive, achievable guidance.
As a WV farmer I support the proposed changes to help our hemp industry grow. Burden associated with the existing sampling protocol is one reason I have not yet started growing hemp in WV.
Over-Regulation is not conducive to a thriving Hemp industry within West Virginia and puts us at a significant disadvantage as an agricultural player on the national level. We need to be able to compete on a fair level as the industry grows.
Let's make WV great again... Let's move ahead without fear Keep it at 1% Educate and promote don't obstruct...WV and the world needs this plant...Don't give in to grandstanding, grandfather our legal intentions, save farms farmers and families...I Don't keep us Last...Jim promised we'd beat Kentucky...Let's learn from those with experience...
Resident
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I also would recommend removal of all registration for manufacturers and sellers requirements for products in its entirety. This is burdensome and limits marketability. It creates an unfair marketability for wv companies. It is certainly an over regulation that is not needed.