Noem Releases Statement on USDA Hemp Guidelines

Pat Powers

Noem Releases Statement on USDA Hemp Guidelines

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem today issued the following statement regarding the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new regulatory guidelines for industrial hemp:

“USDA’s guidelines are out, but my position on legalizing industrial hemp has not changed. I remain opposed to industrial hemp in South Dakota because of the impact it will have on public safety and law enforcement’s ability to enforce drug laws.

USDA does not preempt a state’s ability to adopt stronger requirements or prohibit production. South Dakota state law prohibits industrial hemp production, and that statute still stands. The guidelines do require the State to permit interstate transportation of hemp. My team is working to ensure we have proper procedures in place so this doesn’t become something that weakens our drug laws.

Conversations around hemp will continue, and I will continue to make the case that legalizing hemp will legalize marijuana by default.”

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34 thoughts on “Noem Releases Statement on USDA Hemp Guidelines”

  2. So it’s being transported through the state, meaning LE has to deal with it in any case, but our farmers can’t grow and harvest it themselves because reasons?

  4. I guess she supports big govt deciding for us rather than allowing individual liberty and personal responsibility. When did Republicans add that to the platform?

    1. We’ve seen plenty of personal responsibility in this day and age. From drinking to underage sex to driving while texting. Maybe the personally responsible folks should go see how well it works in San Francisco or denver…just watch where you step…but at least there’s an app for that.

        1. Boomers have destroyed pretty much everything that was great about America that allowed them to prosper. Now, they blame the younger generations for the problems they caused. The Ed Randazzo’s of this world need to be sent adrift on an ice sheet if we still have enough left.

          1. The Boomers stood guard during the Cold War and defended our country and helped build it to what it is today.

            1. To what it is today….

              Over 20 trillion in debt? Thanks, boomers!
              College 300% more expensive with a devalued bachelors degree? Thanks, boomers!
              Spending the last 20 years in armed conflict in the middle east? Thanks, boomers!

              Man, we sure are lucky to have you all!

              1. You potheads need to toughen up. Quit smoking that crap and acting like a victim. Worried about college costs? Join a branch of the military like I did. It can pay for college. Life is not a video game down on you’re mom’s basement get out and do something about it and be sober not stoned or drunk. Most of all GROW UP!

                1. 1. I don’t smoke weed.
                  2. I did serve in the military
                  3-inf. Your tired retorts never addressed the fundamental issues caused by your generation. Also: someone has been reading waaaaaaaaay too much Heinlein.

                  1. What are you spending you’re time doing? Complaining! Cry me a river and cue up the violin! Get you’re rear end out there and do something and worry how YOU can make things better! Life is action!

                    1. I am sorry, thin skinned boomer. I will try harder to never criticize your generation and the damage it has done.

                    2. When you get out of the way we will have a chance to fix everything you guys destroyed. Boomers are the most self centered and entitled generation to ever exist in this country. They have nothing to show for the past 50 years but waste and destruction and then they have the nerve to call us entitled for wanting a fraction of the opportunity they had. We will stop complaining when we can work part time, go to college, start a family, buy a home, and drive a nice vehicle while not going into massive debt just like boomers were able to do. Remember when a minimum wage was a livable wage? Boomers do because their dollar went much farther than ours and it was easier to obtain.

            2. And 9/11 went into the longest war, which is still on going on, under false pretenses. Don’t act like the boomers were the most selfless.

              This is a generational shift – it’s not a matter of if anymore but a matter of when.

              I also like that there are likely no people here with a background in addiction, treatment, or prevention commenting. Glad to have so many experts here on their keyboard hustle.

            3. Stood guard? More like fell for fear-mongering & allowed massive encroachments on Rights in the false name of nationall security.

      3. The dinosaurs are grasping at straws. Too bad all of the issues they try to tie to pot have nothing to do with pot.

  5. The ignorance from this administration is truly outstanding. She has zero faith in LE or counties to distinguish hemp from marijuana. The State already has the ability to 1) determine if someone is under the influence of marijuana for purposes of DWI and 2) determine THC concentration in marijuana. She keeps hanging her hat on that it will “weaken drug laws”. The truth is SD LE is supported by fines and court costs paid by Defendants who plead guilty to marijuana possession. Nothing happens with those low level cases – no jail time – just increased fine and suspended jail. Should SD legalize, it would be on the administration’s shoulders to make up that difference – something they cannot do.

  6. Careful Kristi, dig in too far and your going to convince people to vote for that constitutional amendment. You barely won the election remember.

  7. The hue and cry for “industrial hemp” is emanating from the marijuana enthusiasts not from the ag community. The market for the fiber and grain is, as yet, not sufficient to encourage farmers to take a chance on growing it. See https://www.newschannel5.com/news/hemp-farmers-cant-find-places-to-sell-crop-not-enough-processors. This is not an ag frenzy. It’s a CBD and marijuana frenzy. That makes it a public health issue and a law enforcement issue.
    Yet the loud voices, whose objective is to legalize recreational marijuana, continue to claim that it’s an ag issue. I am appreciative that Governor Noem recognizes the real issue here and stands firmly against it.

    1. So we shouldn’t be in the forefront? We should wait until the market has already been controlled by other States?

      1. Already there, Nick. For good or ill, if SD joins this party, we’ll be one of the last to arrive. I understand many advocates & libertarians feel it’s the right decision regardless — just don’t labor under the illusion that, after voting to change the state constitution, we’d garner a 1st mover advantage or even number among the early adopters.

    1. That entire article pretty much says that farmers love the ability to diversify their crop load with a potential boom product like hemp. It also discusses the advantages to getting out in front of the industry as opposed to waiting until its too late. FINALLY, and most importantly, it doesn’t mention marijuana or problems with law enforcement a single time… HMMMMMM

  9. It is interesting to read the South Dakota news sites social media stories on Hemp. The comment section has a vast majority of the usual potheads posting.

    1. But what about this Montana article where they dont even mention marijuana? If its such an issue, why arent they seeing it?

      No one here is disingenuous enough to argue that Montana is some coastal liberal haven right?

  10. It’s so stupid we have to get permission to grow hemp. Government should not even be involved. Turn CRP into hemp fields.

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