PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The USDA announced that their interim rule on production and growing of industrial hemp will be published in the Federal Register on Thursday.

South Dakota Farmers Union Lobbyist Mitch Richter says even though the rule is calling for hemp testing at DEA labs, he doesn’t think that will cover all of Governor Kristi Noem’s concerns.

He expects the interim legislative hemp committee to meet again and talk about the USDA rule as they formulate their legislation.

The USDA interim rule calls for states to submit their hemp plans to the feds. Richter says once South Dakota approves the growing of hemp, legislators would want to then put that plan together.

Richter says although industrial hemp isn’t as valuable a crop as corn or soybeans, that it would still prove to be an economic benefit for growers if it’s approved. He says CBD oil isn’t the only product from it, there’s also fiber, seed and oil.