NIC, HIA Look at Hemp Checkoff

In February, the National Industrial Hemp Council and The Hemp Industries Association​ released the results the month long survey conducted to identify industry attitude towards a hemp checkoff program. President, Larry Farnsworth, said the idea of a hemp checkoff program in the hemp industry has been being explored and it was thought best to gauge the industry's take on the checkoff program.

"We surveyed people's attitudes on whether or not they'd support a checkoff for research, for promotion and for consumer education. There seems to be support across the board, roughly 80%.”

Farnsworth added a checkoff is going to help the industry, not only from a promotional side, in terms of educating of consumers. He noted there are a lot of misconceptions about hemp.

"From the industry side of things, for the small farmers that grow hemp and the job creators that work within the industry, the economic impact studies from Texas A&M have shown that for every dollar you invest into checkoff program between $3 and $17, comes back to the farm."

The NIHC and HIA says 270 people responded during their survey which was conducted in November and December.

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