[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 18, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 69295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27245]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 990

[Doc. No. AMS-SC-19-0042; SC19-990-2 IR]


Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Interim final rule with request for comments; extension of 
comment period due date.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS) is extending the comment period due date for an 
interim final rule published on October 31, 2019, by an additional 
thirty (30) days from December 30, 2019 to January 29, 2020. The 
interim final rule establishes a domestic hemp production program 
pursuant to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The rule outlines 
provisions for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to approve plans 
submitted by States and Indian Tribes for the domestic production of 
hemp. It also establishes a Federal plan for producers in States or 
territories of Indian Tribes that do not have their own USDA-approved 
plan. The program includes provisions for maintaining information on 
the land where hemp is produced, testing the levels of delta-9 
tetrahydrocannabinol, disposing of plants not meeting necessary 
requirements, licensing requirements, and ensuring compliance with the 
requirements of the new part.

DATES: Comments due dates: The comment period for the interim final 
rule published on October 31, 2019 (84 FR 58522), is extended. Comments 
received by January 29, 2020, will be considered prior to issuance of a 
final rule. Additionally, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA), comments on the information collection burden must also be 
received by January 29, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning this rule and the proposed information collection. Comments 
should be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking portal at 
www.regulations.gov. Comments may also be filed with Docket Clerk, 
Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, 
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-
0237; or Fax: (202) 720-8938. All comments should reference the 
document number and the date and page number of this issue of the 
Federal Register and will be made available for public inspection in 
the Office of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours or can be 
viewed at: www.regulations.gov. All comments submitted in response to 
this rule will be included in the record and will be made available to 
the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Richmond, Chief, U.S. Domestic 
Hemp Production Program, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA; 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Stop 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; 
Telephone: (202) 720-2491, Fax: (202) 720-8938, or Email: 
[email protected] or Patty Bennett, Director, Marketing Order 
and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA at the same 
address and phone number above or Email: [email protected].
    Small businesses may request information on complying with this 
regulation by contacting Richard Lower, Marketing Order and Agreement 
Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW, STOP 0237, Washington, DC 20250-0237; Telephone: (202) 720-2491, 
Fax: (202) 720-8938, or Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule (84 FR 58522) was issued under 
Section 10113 of Public Law 115-334, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
2018 (2018 Farm Bill). Section 10113 amended the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946 (AMA) by adding Subtitle G (sections 297A through 297D of 
the AMA). Section 297B of the AMA requires the Secretary of Agriculture 
(Secretary) to evaluate and approve or disapprove State or Tribal plans 
regulating the production of hemp. Section 297C of the AMA requires the 
Secretary to establish a Federal plan for producers in States and 
territories of Indian Tribes not covered by plans approved under 
section 297B. Lastly, section 297D of the AMA requires the Secretary to 
promulgate regulations and guidelines relating to the production of 
hemp in consultation with the U.S. Attorney General. USDA is committed 
to issuing the final rule expeditiously after reviewing public comments 
and obtaining additional information during the initial implementation. 
USDA may request more comments after the 2020 growing season has ended. 
In response to requests by commenters to AMS and executive departments 
and agencies that the public comment due date for this rule be 
extended, AMS is extending the comment period by an additional thirty 
(30) days to January 29, 2020.

    Dated: December 10, 2019.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-27245 Filed 12-17-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P