Untrustworthy hemp seed suppliers pose risk to farmers
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC) is warning the public about predatory hemp seed vendors known to be currently active in the state.
This year marks the first time hemp will be grown in Indiana as a commercial crop, not a research crop, said Donald Robison, OISC seed administrator. That means that the number of hemp growers around the state is increasing and so, too, are reports of faulty seed and untrustworthy vendors.
In some cases, Robison said, people are paying for seed and the product is never delivered. In other cases, the product doesn’t match what is promised by the label. With hemp especially, this can be a problem as many buyers end up with a marijuana, not a hemp, crop.