Did you Receive all the Critical Documentation from your Supplier?

Check to see if you have all of the documents and information you should be getting from your supplier.

Over the last few years, the US hemp industry has been working to establish itself. According to a research study published by MarketsandMarkets™, the US Hemp market is expected to grow from the estimated 4.6 billion dollars in 2019 to 26.6 billion dollars by 2025.  This growth is driven by expanding legalization and research into the numerous beneficial cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, as well as the push into consumer based food and beverage applications.  If we hope to accomplish this goal in the next five years, then as an industry it’s time we acknowledge and address one of the largest issues plaguing the US hemp industry.

Having the proper documentation for your hemp varieties is imperative. Information presented to growers needs to be held to a higher standard across the US hemp industry. For years, companies have been selling genetics without the data and documentation needed to ensure the variety will perform to the standards growers expect, such as it is common for other agricultural crops. Each season, companies sell material to growers that fail to meet expectations. Don’t be another statistic. Ask for the documentation and the data before you purchase your hemp material.

COAs are a staple for any grower. You should always make sure you receive the most up-to-date COAs that a company has. Don’t be afraid to go through it with a fine-tooth comb and ask questions. Be weary of “too good to be true” results. With the testing protocols and legislation constantly evolving, it is important to ensure the COAs you receive meet the changing standards. Ask us about what your COA should look like.  If you are looking for information on how to read COAs and the data that should be included in one, we can help.

If you are interested in growing seeds, then ask your supplier for a feminization testing report,  This report should give you information on the percentage of properly feminized seed and the percentage of male seeds in a lot.  Improperly feminized seeds can result in a large percentage of males, which can have a devastating impact on your entire crop. Don’t risk your livelihood on seed that has insufficient documentation.  Each year, growers purchase millions of seeds on the word of the company selling the seed.  Always ask for the data. Their word is only as good as the data that backs it.  Ask us about our feminization reports for our two seed varieties, Pure CBD Lite and Pure CBG. Read more about our feminization process and how we DNA sequence each lot to ensure proper feminization.

Seed can be a great way to maximize your returns when growing your crop, but wouldn’t you want the confidence in your seeds to ensure you do maximize those returns? Ask your supplier if their seeds are certified? In the US, many states have different certification programs and may vary from program to program.  One certification you can be confident in is the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) Orange Certificate. This certificate is the International equivalent of the American ASOCA certificate (Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies). Such certificates are only awarded by accredited labs and follow tightly controlled sampling procedures of the seed lot to ensure it meets the quality standards required to receive the certification. The ISTA Orange Certificate ensures a quality standard in all states. Ask to see our ISTA Orange Certificates for our two seed varieties, Pure CBD Lite and Pure CBG. Read more about the importance of seed certification and the ISTA Orange certificate.

Is your material being shipped to you from another state or another country? If so, then be sure your supplier has a phytosanitary document. Most states require this document in order to legally ship material across state lines. Receiving any hemp material in states that require a phytosanitary document without having the appropriate documentation can cause your crop to be subject to destruction by authorities. Phytosanitary documents ensure that the material has been inspected by state or federal agricultural authorties to be free of any invasive organisms. Each state may have different phytosanitary requirements, so be sure you follow your state’s guidelines. Ask us about our phytosanitary documents and how we can facilitate shipping your material to you.

If you are receiving material that has been imported into the United States, then make sure your supplier has a USDA Import Permit. This permit acknowledges that the material in question has been approved to enter the country, meeting all of the specifications needed to secure a permit. If your supplier claims to have imported the material, but does not have a USDA import permit, then they have illegally smuggled the material into the US. We are very familiar with the intricate details pertaining to importing hemp into the United States, as US Nursery was the first company to be issued a USDA import permit for live hemp plants.

Before you purchase any hemp material, you should always ensure that the source you wish to buy from has an up-to-date hemp license that is registered with the state. This ensures that the operations of the supplier meet the requirements for cultivating and selling hemp material. Ask us about our hemp license for operating in the state of North Carolina.

It is a little known fact, but companies are required to have a nursery license in order to propagate and sell nursery stock. These licenses certify that plant material has been inspected for and is apparently free from potentially harmful quarantine pests and serves to prevent or reduce the introduction and spread of regulated pests into and throughout the United States. However, legislation has yet to catch up to this standard in the hemp industry. There are some states that still do not require a company that sells hemp plants to have a nursery license. It is important to be aware of which states do and which states don’t to ensure your supplier is following the proper guidelines.

Data drives decisions. As a grower, stay well informed about the varieties your supplier is offering. Always ask for the data to back their claims.  Data helps guide you to make educated decisions before you buy, while you’re growing and after you harvest.  As a grower, you can never have enough data to help you better manage your crop.  Ask us about the data we have compiled on all of our Pure line of genetics.  We have worked diligently with our partner, Puregene AG, to compile and translate vast amounts of data so that you, as a grower, have the best opportunity to be successful.