Idaho Farm Bureau Reaffirms Hemp Support

Gov. Brad Little made clear his stance on industrial hemp during the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation’s 80th annual meeting. Hemp was a major topic of discussion during the House of Delegates meeting, where farmers and ranchers vote on proposed changes to IFBF’s policy book.

The 2018 farm bill, which was passed into law last December, made it legal, for the first time in the United States, for farmers to grow, process and sell industrial hemp, which by federal law can only contain a minimal amount of THC, the psychoactive compound that gets marijuana users high.

According to experts, it is virtually impossible to get high from industrial hemp.

The farm bill left it up to states to create their own policy on hemp and Idaho is one of only three states in the nation that doesn’t allow hemp production. Attempts to pass legislation that would legalize hemp production in Idaho are expected during the 2020 Idaho Legislature, which convenes in January.

Little said he has no problem with hemp as long as it’s not used as a means to camouflage marijuana.

“I have no problem with hemp but I do have a huge problem with … marijuana,” he said.

Idaho Farm Bureau Federation policy has supported industrial hemp production for more than two decades. During their policy development session Dec. 4-5, Idaho Farm Bureau voting delegates confirmed IFBF’s position on industrial hemp.

Carl Montgomery, a Jerome County farmer, pointed out that IFBF has supported hemp production for almost three decades.

The delegates also tacked a host of other issues important to those involved in the state’s agricultural industry, including water rights, land use, wolves, open range and grizzly bears.

The meeting attracts several hundred farmers, ranchers and their families, as well as industry leaders who come to watch as Farm Bureau voting delegates from across the state develop the policy that will guide the organization during the coming year.

IFBF is Idaho’s largest general farm organization and represents 14,000 people involved with agriculture.