VIRGINIA HEMP FARMER, STATE AND MARKET CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

VIRGINIA HEMP FARMER, STATE AND MARKET CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

Virginia hemp agriculture and farming is experiencing a time of acceleration, complexity and frustration. This is an exciting and potentially prosperous enterprise for hundreds of family farmers and ancillary small businesses and thousands of rural Virginians. I have identified some relatively simple issues that our state leaders could focus on to positively impact rural constituents. 

CHALLENGES:

Farmer Issues:

1. Need education and guidance

2. The retail market is unstable and oversupplied, but there are many underserved populations

3. Expensive enterprise to start, maintain and insure

4. Processing facilities are not sufficient

5. Low official THC levels cause crops to be destroyed

State Issues:

1. In-state processing facilities are not sufficient

2. Dispensary system rewards out-of-state, vertically integrated corporations and sidelines Virginia farmers 

3. Legislative issues and roadblocks, ie: Delta 8 legality, cannabis timetables and access, THC levels

4. Capacity for facilities inspections, labeling and testing requirements

Market Issues

1. Ample retail supply of out-of-state products; not encouraged to “buy Va-Grown.”

2. Some products are trendy but unstable (Delta 8, hemp “flower”)

3. Underserved markets need more access (specific disabilities and illnesses, low income.)

4. No market demand for Virginia-grown industrial hemp products

IMMEDIATE SOLUTIONS:

1. Education and advisory programs for farmers to develop successful business plans

2. Public awareness campaign to encourage buying Virginia grown, support Virginia farmers, and to buy the right products for your improved health

3. Encourage the public to create a demand for industrial hemp products (lumber, straw, textiles, fuels, plastics.)

4. Commitment to legislation improvements

1. clarifying THC/Delta 8

2. Inclusion of Virginia farmers into dispensary model

5. Commitment to state improvements:

1. More and better processing facilities

2. Standardized inspections, testing, labeling procedures

6. Commitment to encourage state funding and support with loans and grants:

1. Start-up capital expenses

2. Lower crop insurance

7. Commitment to ensuring Virginia-grown hemp gets into the hands of Virginia patients with medical needs, working with physicians and distributors

PROJECTED RESULTS:

1. A robust new economy for Virginia’s farmers...Virginia to be a national leader

2. Help farmers transition from obsolete or overproduced crops to a new and stable industry

3. Support Virginia’s farmers and their families, rural communities and small businesses to become more prosperous and independent

4. Encourage natural, plant-based healing products

5. Increase employment

6. Increase tax revenue

7. Build rural support