Hemp is a big business today! With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp farmers saw a new era of industrial hemp or hemp-derived CBD market. However, since the passage of the law, a legal gray area persisted that left the hemp produces with more questions than the answers. It may seem that the laws have allowed the farmers to grow hemp and truckers to transport it legally across the state boundaries. Apparently, it hasn’t!
However, with a lot of hemps grown and sold across the country, one significant question is, how is it moved? Here, we are going to tell you everything about what problems come in hemp transport, and what the solution is-
Challenges That Come In Hemp Transportation
Here are some of the challenges for those involved with hemp transportation-
Lack Of Federal Guidance
Transporting any product containing CBD or hemp has been a tricky task. And, transporting such materials across the state lines is even trickier- thanks to the fine line between federally legal or state illegal. The Farm Bill was passed to define a legitimate gray line or outline some rules and regulations to ease the production, cultivation, or distribution of hemp.
But, no such regulations have been established yet. Currently, the hemp is produced under the 2014 Farm Bill, which is a piece of legislation excluding transportation details. It entails that industrial hemp still exists in that legal gray line without any protection during interstate transportation.
Clashing Laws Between The States
The 2018 law was touted as a potential boon to the hemp trucking industry. However, potential perils still existed as the law failed to give clear details to remove the risks for moving hemp in interstate commerce. The varying hemp rules and the lack of regulations wreaked havoc on the hemp industry.
Lack Of Truck Drivers To Transport Hemp
It was perhaps the largest challenge for those involved in the hemp business. Due to the lack of interstate hemp transportation laws, fewer drivers were willing to transport the plant. As the confrontation with the state law remains a possibility, it also deters willing truck drivers.
Lack Of Insurance To Cover Hemp
Another big challenge is not having the right insurance to cover hemp transportation. It is one of the most significant things businesses need to figure out as they open their doors to transportation. Further, there are only a handful of insurance companies that cover it.
Other challenges may include finding a carrier willing to haul the crop. Probably, it is due to the crop’s smell. Thus, you need to look for a company that is well-equipped with necessary implements to sow or harvest the crop and provide professional hemp transportation services.
What Is The Solution?
Around 41 states were considered to be legal for industrial hemp or other hemp products. Even in Oklahoma and Idaho (stricter states), hemp products are sold in the stores as long as they show negative results when tested for THC. However, with the varying state regulations, safe passage of hemp without some level of risk to the drivers seems a bit tough.
One solution is to stick to professional hemp transportation companies. With more and more farmers turning to grow hemp and the growing need for transporting the hemp for commerce, several companies have put efforts to equip their vehicles for the task. You can search online to find the options available to you.
What Does The Future Hold For Hemp Business?
The US Department of Agriculture has recently issued a draft of interim rules supporting the 2018 hemp plant legalization law. Though these interim guidelines don’t address the hemp export issues, they ensure that states can’t prohibit the interstate transport of hemp materials. If the clause happens to remain in the final guidance, it will be a boon to the hemp transport business. The Federal Government might make the legalization of interstate hemp transport clearer in the coming years.
