Hemp

Since the earliest days of U.S. history, hemp has been an important crop in American agriculture. The crop was grown mainly for fiber, but with the introduction of the cotton gin, the industry became practically nonexistent by the 1950s.

The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 made production so strongly regulated that the industry all but disappeared. The 2018 Farm Bill once again made hemp production federally legal in the U.S.  Today there are three main segments of hemp production: fiber, seed and oil.

Beginning in the summer of 2019, experts in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences began field research trials and developing economic models to help Georgia farmers make sound production decisions. Potential growers should be aware that the hemp market is highly volatile and they should exercise due diligence in working with processors/vendors to sell their crop. At this time there is no commercial production of fiber hemp in Georgia, with production geared toward the extract/smokable flower market. Growers should thoroughly review the rules and regulations for growing industrial hemp on the Georgia Department of Agriculture website.

Publications

Production Publications

• A Preview of Industrial Hemp for Flower Production in Georgia
• An Introduction to Fiber Hemp Production in Georgia
• An Introduction to Hemp Chemistry and Lab Results
• The Hemp Regulatory Environment: A Brief History and Outline of Current U.S. and Georgia Regulations
• Externalities with Establishing Hemp Production/Processing

Economic Publications

• Hemp Budget for CBD Production in Georgia
• Hemp Production Economics: Current Situation in Georgia

Societal Implication Publications

• Awareness and Perceptions of Hemp
• Consumer Views on Use and Legality of Hemp Based Products

Tools

• Production Budget Planning Tool - Hemp Flower for CBD Oil (Excel)

Websites

state and federal resources

Federal Rules and Regulations Information on the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program from the United States Department of Agriculture.

State Rules and Regulations Information on Industrial Hemp Production from the Georgia Department of Agriculture.