New law expands hemp program participation

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A new law expands the number of growers who can participate in South Carolina’s hemp program, as well as the acreage they can farm.

The program, administered by the S.C. Department of Agriculture, previously allowed for 40 permits for up to 40 acres each to be issued in 2019. The new law allows anyone who previously applied for a 2019 permit to be eligible to grow hemp, pending the passing of state and federal background checks. Farmers will also be permitted to grow hemp on an unlimited number of acres.

Fifteen farmers were selected for the pilot program in December 2017.

Gov. Henry McMaster signed the new law on March 28.

“I’m excited additional farmers will be given an opportunity to grow hemp in 2019, and I greatly appreciate Gov. McMaster’s support of this bill as we continually seek to grow South Carolina’s largest industry,” S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers said in a news release. “Interest in hemp continues to grow each day, and this expansion will help South Carolina become competitive throughout the entire country.”