Licensed hemp acreage has quadrupled since 2018, according to report from Vote Hemp

Vote Hemp has released its 2019 U.S. Hemp Grower License Report, showing that licensed hemp acreage has quadrupled since 2018. According to the report, 13 more states have developed hemp programs for a total of 34 participating states which have licensed a total of 511,442 acres for hemp cultivation, a 455% increase from 2018. States issued licenses to 16,877 farmers and researchers in 2019, a 476% increase compared to 2018. Additionally, there was a 483% increase in licensed processors, for a total of 2,880, however, because states like Colorado do not license processors, this number is actually significantly higher.

The growth in processors is largely for extraction and positions the hemp industry well to meet market demand for extracts, but more investment is required for fiber and grain processing, says Vote Hemp. While these numbers are impressive, Vote Hemp does note that significantly less hemp is actually planted compared to what is licensed, due to factors such as access to seed and/or clones. Vote Hemp estimates that 230,000 acres will actually be planted, but only 50-60% will actually be harvested due to crop failure, non-compliant crops, and other factors.

“Now that we have lifted federal prohibition on hemp farming, it’s time build the infrastructure, and expand hemp cultivation and the market for hemp products across the country so that all can reap the benefits of this versatile and sustainable crop,” said Eric Streenstra, president of Vote Hemp, in a press release.