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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Standing guard ... City gears up for hearings on future growth ... Medford School District on the hunt for teachers ... Standing guard ... City gears up for hearings on future growth ... Medford School District on the hunt for teachers ... OREGON AGRICULTURE Oregon hemp farmers can plant in spring Crops remains illegal under federal law Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Feb. 4, 2015 at 4:57 PM By The Associated Press Posted Feb. 4, 2015 at 4:57 PM » Social News PORTLAND  — Oregon farmers could put in their first crop of industrial hemp this spring, the state Agriculture Department says. The department has finished making rules and is now accepting applications for licenses to grow. Hemp is the cousin of marijuana that doesn't cause a high. Historically, the crop was used for rope, but advocates these days tout it for clothing, food and cosmetics as well. The crop is still illegal under federal law, but eighteen states have removed barriers to production, said Lauren Stansbury of the Hemp Industries Association told The Oregonian. Three reported crops last year, she said: Colorado, Kentucky and Vermont. The Oregon Legislature made industrial hemp legal in 2009, but state officials held off rule-making until the Obama administration signaled that it wouldn't make cracking down on hemp cultivation a priority. The recreational marijuana initiative that Oregon voters approved last year included legal hemp, saying its goal was to make sure the crop could be planted in accordance with the existing law. During the rule-making process, potential hemp growers chafed at some restrictions, but agency officials said they were set in the law. Among them was a three-year license, which might discourage growers who thought to give the crop a one-year test. The agency priced the license at $1,500. Another was a prohibition against processing hemp seeds into oil, diminishing potential uses. The law requires industrial hemp to contain less than 0.3 percent of the chemical that gives marijuana its kick. That's tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC. Where Oregon farmers will get seeds for a first crop isn't clear — Canada and other nations are mentioned as potential suppliers. Agriculture Department officials say they are investigating how other states have gotten seeds, including getting permission from federal drug authorities. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Feb. 4, 2015 at 4:57 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501