PERIOD FOR HEMP RULES EXTENDED

Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson has extended the comment period
for rules on the production of industrial hemp in North Dakota.

The new deadline is Oct. 30.

Johnson said his department made some changes after a public hearing
in June and wants to give people more time to review them.

The rules require growers to pass a criminal background check and be
fingerprinted. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration would
review each permit application and have the final say on whether a
farmer is allowed to grow hemp.

Farmers in the United States are barred from growing hemp without a
DEA permit. Drug enforcement officials consider hemp a controlled
substance because it is a distant relative of marijuana.

Supporters say industrial hemp cannot get anyone high, and growing it
would help boost the farm economy.

Industrial hemp can be used in such products as clothing, cosmetics,
food, paper, rope, jewelry, luggage, sports equipment and toys.