The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) this week submitted the Texas Hemp Program outline to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for approval.

This document, and the changes to state rules that establish the new program, must be approved and finalized before TDA can begin granting licenses to legally grow hemp in Texas.

“Growing hemp will come with a set of unique requirements, including a background check,” Brant Wilbourn, Texas Farm Bureau associate director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities, said. “But submitting the state hemp program outline is the next step in the process, so we are continuing to make progress on adding an additional crop for Texas farmers to grow.”

The plan sent to USDA encompasses the federal requirements for a state hemp program and follows state law with corresponding references to forthcoming rules outlining the Texas hemp program. These rules will be published for public comment soon, TDA said.

A 30-day public comment period will follow, after which the rules can be changed or adopted. Once the rules take effect, TDA can begin issuing licenses.

TDA Commissioner Sid Miller expects to have a Texas hemp licensing program in operation in early 2020, according to an agency news release.

This week, Dallas-based Panda Biotech also announced it is developing its first industrial hemp processing facility. The industrial facility will process the plant and turn it into a material that can be used for car parts, insulation, clothing and more.

The Panda Biotech High Plains Hemp Gin will be a 255,000 square-foot facility located in Shallowater.

Hemp can be used to produce food and beverages, cosmetics and personal care products, nutritional supplements, textiles, paper, construction and insulation materials, super capacitor batteries, automotive products and more, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

CBD oil is growing in popularity as an alternative pain reliever, as are hemp seeds and hearts.

Click here for more information about the Texas Hemp Program.