Hemp Advocates To Celebrate First Planting Of Newly Legalized Crop In Washington

Tom Banse | Jun 4, 2017

Now that it’s legal in Washington state, a handful of farmers and the Colville tribe have submitted applications to grow industrial hemp. On Tuesday, Moses Lake will be the scene of a “first planting” demonstration of the non-drug cousin of marijuana.

In the inaugural growing season, seven entities have applied to the Washington State Department of Agriculture to grow and process industrial hemp or to be seed distributors. The agency has approved three licenses so far, with the rest under review.

Seattle-based hemp industry consultant Joy Beckerman of Hemp Ace International foresees the first legal crop in the state in almost 90 years going to fiber and oilseed markets.

Hemp Advocates To Celebrate First Planting Of Newly Legalized Crop In Washington