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New law in Nebraska allows for hemp research projects.

Don McCabe, Nebraska Farmer Editor

July 9, 2014

2 Min Read

The Hemp Industries Association, an organization that represents industrial hemp industry, recently announced Nebraska has formed an HIA affiliate organization.

The Nebraska Hemp Industries Association follows the passage in the Nebraska Legislative this spring of LB 1001. The law, which becomes effective in July, allows for research into the production and marketing of industrial hemp and provides powers and duties for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to regulate the crop.

The law does not allow for the commercial production of industrial hemp.

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Regulations to carry out the law have not been developed by the NDA and Bobbie Kriz-Wickham, the department's assistant director, says no research projects are expected to begin this year.

The new association will focus on supporting industrial hemp farming and manufacturing industries in the state, says Jason Feldman, who founded the Nebraska chapter.

NEHIA will also provide assistance to farmers interested in growing the crop, including information regarding sourcing certified hemp seed, information about seed varieties and hemp agronomy, and connect hemp producers with hemp manufacturers and processors both in the U.S. and abroad, Feldman says. 

"As Nebraskans continue to learn more about the value that hemp brings with it, NEHIA will be there not only as educators to the public, but also to facilitate the needs of all levels of the industry including research, farming, manufacturing and retail," says Feldman.

"HIA and the new Nebraska affiliate hold no position on the issue of medical or recreational marijuana legalization. Industrial hemp has been defined as distinct from marijuana, having no drug value whatsoever. The NEHIA will focus exclusively on the growth of the industrial hemp market throughout Nebraska."

NEHIA will launch its initial fundraising campaign this year, in preparation for the interest to establish hemp as a new trade commodity for the Nebraska economy. Fundraising is primarily based on both individual memberships and business memberships.

LB 1001 permits hemp cultivation for research and development purposes.

Hemp's industrial applications include paper, building materials, bio-composites, vehicle components, nutritional foods, bio-fuel, soap and cosmetics, animal bedding, packaging materials, textiles and other products.

To learn more about NEHIA, go to www.nebraskahia.org.

State Sen. Norm Wallman of Cortland introduced the Nebraska legislation. He says the law was modeled after the section in the new farm bill that makes industrial hemp research exempt from federal drug laws.  

While a cousin to marijuana, industrial hemp has only a tiny fraction of the ingredients that allows marijuana users to get high.

About the Author(s)

Don McCabe

Nebraska Farmer Editor

Growing up on a farm near Newcastle, Neb., Don McCabe was always interested in agriculture. After a four-year stint in the U.S. Navy, he earned his journalism degree from the University of Nebraska. He joined the staff at Nebraska Farmer in 1977, first as a writer and eventually serving for many years as the publication's editor. McCabe is now retired in Lincoln, but still contributes regularly to Nebraska Farmer as a freelance writer. 

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