Hemp Farming Faces Uncertain Future in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania – In 2018, the federal government allowed the growth of hemp, sparking hope for many farmers. Josh Bobbert, from Lawrence County, saw it as a chance to boost his family farm, which he runs with his wife and nine children. However, his expectations of making a good profit from his 61 acres of hemp have not materialized.
Bobbert, like many in the industry, feels that the government has not provided the necessary rules to ensure a stable market for hemp, a plant related to marijuana. “They didn’t offer a legal framework or set safety standards,” he noted.
Next month, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania will hold a hearing in Harrisburg to discuss the hemp industry. A key focus will be on recent developments, including changes in a federal bill that some believe could harm the hemp market.
Zachary Adams, the center’s executive director, mentioned the frustration among business owners about the lack of time to adjust to these new regulations. Following the legalization of hemp in 2018, an explosion of new THC products emerged, often without proper testing. Senator Gene Yaw pointed out that this led to a situation where individuals manipulated the plant to increase THC levels, contributing to a rapid growth in industry size—from $5 billion to $30 billion.
Now, some believe that the recent federal law aimed to control THC products could ultimately threaten the entire hemp sector. Kevin Lusky, a hemp grower from Beaver County, remarked, “They didn’t need to make sweeping changes; they just needed to fix a few things.”
Hemp has been cultivated for centuries, being used for various products like paper, plastics, and skincare items. After many years of regulation, the 2018 U.S. farm bill finally distinguished hemp from marijuana, allowing legal cultivation again, although farmers must still register with the government. As of now, Pennsylvania has granted 165 permits for hemp cultivation and 34 for processing.
Despite the challenges, some lawmakers believe in hemp’s potential as a profitable crop. Representative Russ Diamond noted that with the right regulations, hemp could significantly benefit small farms. Rep. Dan Moul echoed these sentiments, suggesting that proper oversight could help Pennsylvania become a key player in the hemp industry.
The upcoming hearing on January 15 during the Pennsylvania Farm Show will include testimonies from government officials, farmers, and business leaders. Jake Sitler, who heads a hemp business and the Pennsylvania Hemp and Cannabis Guild, emphasized the need for balanced regulations, saying, “We want guidelines to operate safely, but we also don’t want excessive rules.”
Sitler has spent years advocating for clearer regulations in Harrisburg and is now considering pairing these efforts with a push for recreational marijuana legalization to gain more traction.
Lusky and his father cultivate hemp on modest plots, focusing on products like hemp animal bedding and high-protein animal feed. However, recent developments have left Lusky unsure about continuing to grow hemp next season.
Bobbert faced his own struggles this year, losing 250 hemp plants to flooding. Yet, he stresses the ongoing need for government support for farmers. “There’s no backing for farmers or producers,” he lamented.
