USDA approves Nebraska hemp plan

The United States Department of Agriculture gave the okay to Nebraska Department of Agriculture's hemp plan, Tuesday.

Applications for licenses for the 2020 growing season will begin Monday, Feb. 3.

"Now that NDA has an approved state hemp plan in place, we can begin issuing licenses for the commercial cultivation processing, handling and brokering of industrial hemp in Nebraska," said NDA Director Steve Wellman.

According to the plan, officials will issue 270 licenses to hemp growers, 30 to processors and 15 to brokers.

LB 657, passed last May, was introduced by Sen. Justin Wayne, of Omaha. It legalizes industrial hemp and its products.

Per legislation, the Nebraska Hemp Commission will be created to promote hemp and hemp products.