Hemp Summit: Pandemic slows hemp growth

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The industrial hemp industries’ sophomore year saw a production reduction due to pandemic-related impacts on the market, workforce safety challenges, and other issues.

David Lakeman, Illinois Department of Agriculture Division of Cannabis manager, presented the final numbers for the 2020 hemp growing season during the recent Illinois Hemp Summit.

IDOA issued 802 hemp growers licenses for the 2020 season. Hemp farmers reported 2,734 acres planted resulting in 2,392 acres harvested. Illinois had 7,141 planted acres and 5,233 harvested acres in 2019; the first year production was legal in the state.

“Despite the challenges, the Illinois hemp industry continued to demonstrate resilience and strength.”

—  David Lakeman, Illinois Department of Agriculture Division of Cannabis manager

Farmers reported harvesting 1,278,00 pounds of flower, 39,000 pounds of seed, 8,500 pounds of grain and 48,000 pounds of fiber.

“The hemp industry, just like many others was hit by the pandemic,” Lakeman said.

“Workforce safety challenges, pandemic-related impacts on the market, and some initial issues with processing all contributed to a more difficult year for the hemp industry. Despite the challenges, the Illinois hemp industry continued to demonstrate resilience and strength. IDOA remains committed to being a good partner to the industry, and we look forward to the 2021 growing season.

“Given all of the obstacles in the last year, these are numbers we can be proud of and I look forward on building on them as we come into 2021.”

Lakeman, an Illinois native, took the helm of his current post on Sept. 1, after serving as a regulator for the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, where he worked on the state’s initial set of cannabis regulations.

State Services

As the hemp industry grows in Illinois, so has the state services.

“We’ve grown from a bureau to a division and we’re adding people so we can meet the greater demand of our growing industry,” Lakeman said.

A state hemp program manager will be named in the next few months to provide a contact point between producers and department staff.

“We’re excited to bring that person on board and bring an additional resource. Our philosophy at the division boils down to a few main concepts — transparency, open communication, predictability and consistency. This is better for us as regulators and better for you as the industry,” Lakeman said.

“Even if the answer you get is not the one that you want, my promise is that we will do our best to ensure that you know what’s happening and why, and you know that the regulatory structure and enforcement provisions that you face today are the same ones you’ll face tomorrow.

“I’m filled with optimism for the year to come. I’m eager to see what you’re going to do as we address the challenges that we face, and I really look forward to meeting all of you in person as circumstances permit.”

Industrial hemp grower license applications are available at agrlicensing.illinois.gov/Industrial_Hemp.