RD403 - Annual Report on the Status and Progress of the Industrial Hemp Research Program – November 1, 2016


Executive Summary:
The 2015 Session of the Virginia General Assembly enacted the Industrial Hemp Law (Law) (Va. Code § 3.2-4112 et seq.), which authorizes the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to establish and oversee an industrial hemp research program that will be directly managed by public institutions of higher education. 2016 marked the first year that the three public universities with VDACS-approved industrial hemp research programs grew industrial hemp in Virginia. These universities planted a total of approximately 37 acres in industrial hemp. To facilitate the universities’ research projects, VDACS imported 16 varieties of industrial hemp and issued Industrial Hemp Grower’s licenses to 29 individuals.