Hawaii’s industrial hemp cultivation program has suffered a setback after seeds imported from Jamaica arrived lateand failed a basic inspection.
According to HTH, “http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/local-news/hemp-growing-program-suffers-setback”
Source: Hawaii Hemp Program Delayed by Noncompliant Jamaican Seed | Ganjapreneur
On July 2, 2017 the Hawaii Tribune Herald reported, “
When it arrives, the hemp seed will be distributed to three groups for further cultivation.
“We have the contracts in the process right now, but haven’t finalized yet,” Munekata said. “Once those documents are signed … these three awardees should start growing at some point in July.”
“We really did think we were hitting a roadblock on the whole thing,” Munekata said. “It was kind of a surprise in mid-June, and right when we received the permit we were ready to go.”
Ka‘u farmer Greg Smith, who is partnering with Honaunau farmer Steve Sakala in the Green Hawaii Genetics project, said he was excited about the “forward motion.”
“They hope by the first of the year (in 2018) they’ll not only be able to distribute to (more) grow it but also to create product lines,” he said.
The development contracts are for a year.
“It usually takes two or three generations to develop (a seed), but we’re going to do our best, and we’re going to try to create the best seed for the state,” Smith said.
Draft rules for the hemp pilot program itself were approved by the Board of Agriculture and will be reviewed by the Small Business Review Board in July. After that, they will be sent to the governor’s office for final approval.
Read the full story at the HTH >>