
2023 Farm Bill
This may be a historic moment for hemp.
As the 2023 Farm Bill deliberations approach, American hemp
leaders “are united behind a plan of action,” noted the Hemp
Industries Association (HIA) in Vancouver, WA, recently.
“And this unprecedented alliance among 31 nonprofit hemp
organizations portends promise for congressional enactment of
the industry’s agenda.”
Those unfamiliar with the Farm Bill may not know that it is an
amalgam of legislation regularly voted on collectively that comes
before Congress about every five years. The omnibus outlines
support programs for farmers and puts in place a collection of
agricultural and related programs and measures. The last farm
bill, called the Agricultural Improvement Act, was passed in 2018.
There is, however, one slight problem.
Thus far, it’s not happening.
A recent Purdue University survey showed that two out of three
crop and livestock producers say they are uncertain or believe
Congress is unlikely to enact a new farm bill this year. Neither
the Senate nor House Agriculture committees have release a
preliminary version of the bill or even scheduled a bill-drafting
session. And the respected Ag Economy Barometer reported that
32% of farmers said a farm bill was “very unlikely” or “somewhat
unlikely” this year, and 35% were “uncertain.”
Other industry insiders are also wary that a farm bill will
be forthcoming any time soon. According to the Food and
Environment Reporting Network’s Ag Insider, 67% of those
questioned as part of its latest survey said they felt a farm bill
was unlikely this year or were uncertain if passage would even
take place. That was up seven percentage points in one month.
Only one-third suggested that such a bill in 2023 was “somewhat
likely” or “very likely.”
At press time, the Senate and House Ag committees were facing
delays in drafting the next farm bill which, at $1.5 trillion, is
projected to be the most expensive ever (the 2018 Farm Bill
crossed the finish line at a mere $867 billion). House Speaker
Kevin McCarthy announced in June that Republicans would look
for additional changes in work requirements or other reforms.
“Previously,” noted Ag Informer, “the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills
experienced delays, both due to conflicts over the SNAP program,
which represents $4 out of every $5 in the legislation.”
Eventually, however, it will be completed and passed. And for
hemp, that will be the historic part.
Priority Policy
Months ago, three of the nation’s leading hemp organizations –
HIA, National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC) and U.S. Hemp
Roundtable (USHR) – joined in collaboration for the first time
to develop a series of policy priorities for enactment in the 2023
Farm Bill, HIA said in a release.
The three groups then asked industry leader Morris Beegle,
co-founder and President of We Are For Better Alternatives
(WAFBA), to convene a meeting of more than 75 key hemp
stakeholders at the leading national hemp gathering that he
produces, the NoCo Hemp Expo.
“After an intense discussion and follow-up breakout groups to
expound on the deliberations, a priority policy document was
finalized,” HIA said. Since then, 31 state, regional and national
nonprofit organizations have signed on in support.
The document lists nine key policy priorities for consideration
by Congress. These include requiring FDA to regulate hemp
extracts such as CBD; easing the regulatory burden on hemp
farmers; repealing the hemp felon ban from the 2018 Farm Bill;
and addressing THC limits for hemp.
This document is being shared with key members of Congress
and will serve as the foundation for drafting legislative language
to be included in the Farm Bill.
NIHC President and CEO Patrick Atagi praised the work of the
hemp industry for broadly coming together to endorse hemp
priorities and hemp-specific Farm Bill priorities. “Working
Together Works are true words taught to me by my mentor,
former USDA Undersecretary William ‘Bill’ Hawks,” Atagi said.
“I am glad to see the hemp industry come together; it is a sign of
great things to come.”
“This is an historic moment for hemp,” concluded Jonathan
Miller, USHR’s General Counsel. “The five years since
legalization have been challenging, and the 2023 Farm Bill is our
next and best opportunity to take this industry a step forward.
The unity within the industry is remarkable and telling. Our
shared voice will resonate with Congress and help us turn this
opportunity into meaningful progress for hemp farmers and
product consumers.”
Added Beegle, “The last five years have taught us a lot, and
more than anything, that we as stakeholders need to align our
interests and our voices going into the 2023 Farm Bill so that we
correct the regulatory deficiencies that have plagued the growth
and development of this nascent industry. I’m optimistic and
encouraged by so many organizations coming together at this
time to collaborate and work in unison to improve the future of
the hemp industry."