Pubdate: Tue, 25 Aug 2015
Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR)
Copyright: 2015 The Oregonian
Contact:  http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324
Author: Noelle Crombie

OREGON SUSPENDS INDUSTRIAL HEMP PROGRAM

The Oregon department of agriculture Tuesday said it would stop 
issuing licenses for industrial hemp effective immediately.

The agency said the "lack of clarity" and "policy concerns that have 
become apparent" in the program's first year prompted the decision.

People who already have licenses under the state's hemp program will 
not be affected.

The state's hemp program has come under fire, particularly in 
southern Oregon, a region renowned for marijuana production.

Some outdoor marijuana growers argue that industrial hemp cultivation 
should be limited to eastern Oregon - far from their lucrative 
marijuana crops. At the very least, they don't want hemp in 
Josephine, Jackson and Douglas counties.

Cannabis producers worry hemp pollen will find its way to their 
unpollinated female cannabis flowers, known as sensimilla, slowing 
their growth and leading to seeds. The result: weak, seedy marijuana.

Agriculture officials said they would work with policy makers and the 
industry to determine when the state can resume the nascent program.

That decision is not likely to come until after the 2016 legislative session.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom