The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a third consecutive delay in enforcing a rule requiring hemp growers to test their crops exclusively at laboratories registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The enforcement deadline has been pushed back to December 31, 2025, citing ‘setbacks’ at the DEA that have resulted in ‘inadequate’ access to approved testing facilities.
This decision follows input from state and tribal governments, as well as third-party cannabis testing facilities, which have experienced delays in completing the DEA laboratory registration process.
The delayed rule, mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill, aimed to ensure product safety compliance for hemp crops. While growers must still adhere to other testing regulations, the DEA registration requirement will not be enforced until the new deadline.
This provides temporary relief to the hemp industry, which has consistently criticized the proposed requirement, arguing that it leads to bottlenecking and that non-DEA certified laboratories can conduct effective testing.
Despite the challenges, the USDA has demonstrated support for the hemp industry. The department has appointed industry stakeholders to a federal trade advisory committee to promote US-grown cannabis globally.
Furthermore, the USDA has awarded $745,000 to the National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC) to promote the industry in emerging international markets.
Proposed provisions in the latest Farm Bill also aim to reduce regulatory barriers for certain hemp farmers and potentially eliminate a policy banning individuals with prior drug felony convictions from participating in the industry.
However, the hemp industry continues to face ongoing regulatory uncertainty, including congressional proposals that could effectively ban most consumable hemp-based cannabinoid products.
Bipartisan lawmakers and stakeholders continue to push for clearer guidelines, which could be incorporated into the forthcoming Farm Bill.
