S.C. farmers are now allowed to grow industrial hemp – but they don’t seem interested.

The application process for the 20 available S.C. licenses to grow hemp has been open since Aug. 1 and closes Sept. 15. But as of last week, zero applications have been received despite numerous phone calls + questions to the S.C. Ag Dept. about the newly legal crop.

Concerns?

❗Busy season | The end of summer = the beginning of fall planting season for farmers

❗It’s new | Industrial hemp hasn’t been allowed to grow in the U.S. since the 1930s

❗Marijuana stigma | Hemp does not have the chemical in marijuana plants that produces a high – but there’s still a stigma surrounding hemp

❗High costs | Hemp must grow on 20 acres of land (kind of a lot) – plus there’s added costs of seed + retrofitted equipment

❗Red tape | For farmers to have an industrial hemp contract approved, they must sign a contract with a buyer + agree to a 4-year research study with UofSC

❗Background check | Farmers must pass a State Law Enforcement Division background check to grow the crop

What is hemp even used for? It’s used in food, clothing, dietary supplements, textiles + more. The U.S. imports ~90% of its industrial hemp from China, but that may change in the future – 31 states now allow their farmers to grow the crop.

4 min read / The State