Humboldt County Bans Hemp Cultivation

<p>Humboldt County has become the latest jurisdiction to turn a moratorium on hemp into a permanent ban. The Board of Supervisors <a href="https://www.google.com/amp/s/hempindustrydaily.com/legendary-california-...">was unanimous</a> in its decision to prohibit outdoor cultivation of the plant last week. The reason? To protect marijuana farming.</p>

<p>Cannabis farmers in Humboldt, as in many other regions, worry about cross-pollination when there are hemp fields nearby. Male pollen from hemp can spread to marijuana crops and depress cannabinoid levels, farmers say. Those fears led to a moratorium on outdoor hemp cultivation in 2018. That moratorium was <a href="https://calmarijuanapolicy.org/2020/12/humboldt-county-extends-hemp-mora...">extended last year</a>. Nevada County also recently <a href="https://calmarijuanapolicy.org/2021/01/nevada-county-makes-hemp-ban-perm...">made its moratorium permanent</a>. Nevada, too, was flooded with calls from worried marijuana farmers.</p>

<p>Humboldt’s hemp ban could still be amended. There is pressure to at least allow hemp research by colleges and universities.