Statement on USDA Industrial Hemp Rules

Washington, D.C. – Below is a statement from Grant Smith, Deputy Director of National Affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance, in response to the USDA’s Industrial Hemp Rules announced today:

“We are pleased that, in the final rules, we were able to get the felony conviction ban removed for hemp workers, so that they can at least participate in the industry. Unfortunately, more work still remains to completely eliminate the ban, so those with felony convictions can—not just work in the industry—but also lead it by being able to obtain licenses of their own.

It is inconceivable that those that have been the most harmed by prohibition would then be further inflicted by being barred from taking part in the new legal economy.”