LINCOLN — Federal officials approved Nebraska’s hemp plan Tuesday, opening the door for would-be growers, processors and brokers to get licensed.
Nebraska Agriculture Director Steve Wellman said the agency will start taking license applications Monday for the 2020 growing year.
“Now that NDA has an approved state hemp plan in place, we can begin issuing licenses for the commercial cultivation, processing, handling and brokering of industrial hemp in Nebraska,” he said.
According to the plan, officials estimate the state will issue 270 licenses to hemp growers, 30 to processors and handlers and 15 to brokers.
The process was authorized by a law passed last year, which legalized industrial hemp and its products in the state, as allowed under the 2018 federal farm bill.
The law provides for the licensing and regulation of the new crop and creates the Nebraska Hemp Commission to promote hemp and its products.
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State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, who introduced last year’s hemp bill, said the federal approval was “a step in the right direction of growing this industry.”
This year, he said, the Legislature needs to work out some kinks with the state law. He has a proposal that would clarify the legal status of CBD, or cannabidiol, products and regulate smokeable hemp. A second bill would make largely technical changes sought by the State Agriculture Department.
Last year, the agency chose 10 entities at random from among 176 applicants to be allowed to legally plant, harvest and process hemp this year. Interested parties had only a few days to put a plan together and apply.
The practical cousin of marijuana, hemp is defined as strains of the cannabis plant that are less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical with higher concentrations in other cannabis strains that produces intoxicating effects.
Growing, handling or processing hemp without a signed license agreement from the state remains illegal in Nebraska.
The only exception is for heirloom cannabis plants or seeds, meaning the kinds of cannabis native to Nebraska that are found growing wild, as long as they are not grown for commercial purposes.
Photos: Nebraska State Parks
Photos: Nebraska State Parks
Fort Robinson State Park
Bison roam the canyons, hills, and grasslands of Fort Robinson State Park in northwest Nebraska.
Fort Robinson State Park
Rick Brandt of Roca, Nebraska, saddles his mules at the Peterson Wildlife Management Area in Fort Robinson State Park.
Fort Robinson State Park
Bighorn sheep are dropped gently at a site in Fort Robinson State Park near Chadron, Nebraska. The sheep were collected and airlifted to the park as part of an ongoing wildlife conservation and tracking effort.
Fort Robinson State Park
Texas longhorns from the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge enjoy the scenic surroundings of the Red Cloud Buttes at Fort Robinson State Park.
Fort Robinson State Park
Rain hits Saddle Butte at Fort Robinson State Park in Dawes County, Nebraska.
Chadron State Park
Mule deer weather a snowstorm on U.S. Forest Service land near the Black Hills Overlook on the west edge of Chadron State Park.
Chadron State Park
The West Ash fire burns at Chadron State Park near Chadron Nebraska, in Dawes County. In 2012, a pair of wildfires forced authorities to close the park, cancel classes, and evacuate about 150 residents.
Chadron State Park
Less than a year after the fires, green grass returns to the hillsides at Chadron State Park, but it will take decades to replace burned ponderosa pines.
Smith Falls State Park
Located about 25 minutes east of Valentine, Smith Falls State Park encompasses trails, campgrounds, and riverbanks along both sides of the scenic Niobrara River.
Smith Falls State Park
A historic iron footbridge leads to a boardwalk and the base of Smith Falls.
Smith Falls State Park
Smith Falls is the highest waterfall in Nebraska, standing 70 feet tall.
Niobrara State Park
Overlooking the Missouri and Niobrara Rivers, Niobrara State Park gives visitors a panoramic view of the rivers and valleys below.
Niobrara State Park
Using GPS coordinates, geocachers at Niobrara State Park go in search of hidden treasures.
Niobrara State Park
A young whitetail buck can be seen through the trees along the road to Niobrara State Park. The winter months offer an exceptional opportunity to view wildlife in the park.
Ponca State Park
At the entrance to Ponca State Park stands the Towers of Time monument, featuring three towers, a fountain, waterfall and reflecting pool. The monument is a celebration of the region's natural and cultural environment.
Ponca State Park
Alicia Wielgus of Columbus, Nebraska, lifts a common carp out of a water tank at the Missouri River Outdoor Expo at Ponca State Park.
Ponca State Park
Jonathan Wood of Roxbury, New York, prepares a barn owl for a demonstration during his Extreme Raptor show during the Missouri River Outdoor Expo. Wood showed falcons, owls, a bald eagle, and other raptors from around the world.
Ponca State Park
Birds take flight at Ponca State Park in Ponca, Nebraska.
Mahoney State Park
An aerial photo of Mahoney State Park, Nebraska's most popular state park.
Mahoney State Park
Ace, the horse, shows Melynda Schmit, of Kearney, Nebraska, how much he wants to be fed just before horseback riding begins.
Mahoney State Park
Rainy weather doesn't keep attendees from enjoying Memorial Day weekend at Mahoney State Park.
Platte River State Park
Geese ignore a sign at Platte River State Park.
Platte River State Park
Fifth graders from Plattsmouth Middle School take part in an archery lesson. Nearly 2,000 schoolchildren participated in the Outdoor Discovery Program at Platte River State Park, trying out activities such as fishing, archery, kayaking and shooting.
Platte River State Park
Students from Fairview Elementary School kayak at Platte River State Park as part of the Outdoor Discovery Program.
Platte River State Park
"Glamping," a portmanteau of "glamour" and "camping," defines the effort to experience nature without sacrificing the comforts of modern living. Three new glamping cabins were unveiled in 2018 at Platte River State Park in Louisville, Nebraska.
Indian Cave State Park
Park visitors climb the stairs to the cave at Indian Cave State Park.
Indian Cave State Park
Emily Welch, 6, and her mother Lisa Welch of Hamburg, Iowa, visit Indian Cave State Park. On the cave walls are petroglyphs carved by Native Americans thousands of years ago.
Indian Cave State Park
In 2011, high water from the Missouri River closed the lower roads along the river at Indian Cave State Park. Because of statewide flooding during March 2019, access to the cave and river was once again restricted.
martha.stoddard@owh.com, 402-473-9583,
Martha Stoddard
Martha Stoddard keeps legislators honest from The World-Herald's Lincoln bureau, where she covers news from the State Capitol. Follow her on Twitter @StoddardOWH. Phone: 402-670-2402
