Vermont hemp growers in a ‘panic’ over proposed federal regulations

Some Vermont hemp farmers are in a “panic” over hemp regulations proposed by the federal government this week that would strictly regulate the amount of THC — the psychoactive chemical found in the plant when it’s harvested.

The rules, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday, would bar farmers from harvesting hemp plants that have a THC concentration of more than 0.3%.

Under Vermont law, farmers can cultivate hemp with a THC concentration under 1%.