The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will continue to oversee hemp cultivation in the state.
The Agency currently has authority to regulate the production, safety testing, labeling, and sale of psychoactive cannabis products, so the transition of authority allows for better regulation of the ever-evolving cannabis industry.
“Given the multiple scenarios where hemp processing crosses over to the regulatory authority of the CRA, this move certainly makes sense, particularly for cannabinoid production,” said Molly Mott, MDARD’s Industrial Hemp Program Manager.
Both MDARD and the CRA understand that hemp – a legal agricultural commodity at both the state and federal levels – does not require the same degree of regulation marijuana does in all situations.