By Jennifer Dorsett
Field Editor
The Texas Hemp Coalition is slated to host a webinar, Basics of Texas Hemp, on May 19.
The webinar will feature Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) program administrators, Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) staff from the Consumer Protection and Retail Food Safety Divisions and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s statewide hemp specialist.
“With this being the first season for legal hemp farming in Texas, we know people have a lot of questions,” Ilissa Nolan, Texas Hemp Coalition executive director, said. “So, we’ve invited experts from across the state to discuss the basics of starting a hemp farming operation in Texas and to answer questions farmers or potential hemp farmers may have.”
During the webinar, TDA Assistant Commissioner Dan Hunter and Administrator of Regulatory Affairs Philip Wright will give an overview of the Texas regulatory and permitting process, which TDA oversees, to grow industrial hemp.
Other topics to be covered in the webinar include TDA-approved hemp varieties, licensed hemp handler samplers and other aspects of hemp crop testing and seed certification.
DSHS officials will discuss the agency’s oversight of consumable hemp products, including popular cannabidiol (CBD) products such as CBD oil or CBD consumables.
Food, drugs, dietary supplements, devices and cosmetics made in Texas that contain hemp or hemp derivatives are subject to DSHS regulations, including manufacturer licensing, retailer registration and product testing.
Longtime AgriLife Extension Service Agronomist and newly-appointed Statewide Hemp Specialist Dr. Calvin Trostle has worked extensively with TDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the development of resources for Extension agents and specialists to use in farmer and public hemp education programs. Over the past year, he has led or participated in more than 20 educational hemp seminars across Texas.
He will discuss AgriLife Extension hemp research efforts, including upcoming hemp variety trials, and share knowledge on issues and challenges with growing hemp in Texas.
Click here to sign up for the webinar set for 2 p.m. CST on May 19.
Click here for more information on the Texas Hemp Coalition.