Standing Room Only As Arizona’s Industrial Hemp Program Takes A Step Forward
August 6th, 2018
Standing Room Only As Arizona’s Industrial Hemp Program Takes A Step Forward
On Friday, August 3rd the Arizona Department of Agriculture’s Industrial Hemp Pilot Program (IHPP) took a milestone step forward with the first-ever public meeting of the Industrial Hemp Program Rules Committee (IHPRC) at the state capitol.
It was standing room only as the public packed the small meeting room to observe and participate in the inaugural meeting of the IHPRC. Mark Killian, Director of the Department of Agriculture (AZDA) commented humorously that it was the largest public turnout he had seen.
The IHPRC, which is an advisory committee composed of non-governmental agricultural industry professionals, was appointed by the AZDA to provide input and advisement on the development of administrative rules used to license and regulate the Industrial Hemp Pilot Program.
The strong turnout from the public highlighted how important the potential of hemp is to Arizona’s citizens. One after the other, community members stood up and voiced their thoughts, concerns and hopes for the Arizona hemp program -- A wide range of citizens spoke up from generational Arizona farmers to CBD companies, from hempcrete companies to industry activists. The public dialogue on the future of Arizona’s hemp industry is just beginning... Now is the time to speak up, share ideas and ask questions in an open forum!
The AZDA has created this much-needed opportunity for the public to interface directly with the IHPRC and the AZDA so the voices of Arizona can be heard -- Together we can all be a part of helping to shape Arizona’s hemp industry.
Please join HITA in elevating the voice of the local Arizona hemp industry by having your own voice heard at the next public IHPRC meeting on Friday, August 31st at 12:00PM at 1688 W. Adams St., Phoenix, AZ, in Room 206. Together we can grow Arizona’s hemp industry!
Sully Sullivan
Executive Director
Hemp Industry Trade Association