IID will not provide water for Hemp or Cannabis cultivation
Imperial County officials are concerned over Imperial Irrigation District’s announcement that Hemp, like Cannabis, is illegal under federal law therefore they can’t deliver water to wherever it’s cultivated. IID sent out letters to local landowners this week.
Michael Kelley, I.C. Supervisor District 3, said, “At this point may be refusing to supply water, federal water they claim, to Hemp because it was associated with Cannabis from the federal level. But since the [2018] Farm Bill passed we think there’s an open door that the water could still be supplied to hemp growers in Imperial County.”
IID said they want to obey the law and can work with research groups only at this time.
Mike Pacheco, IID Water Department Manager, said, “The only exception that we are allowed as of right now would be for research, educational pilot program. We are aware of a couple of parcels that are growing Hemp and we hand-delivered the letter to them. And they notified us that they were under a research project.”
Pacheco said IID water is federal but city water is different.
“If they’re within city limits, then the city can provide them water. We don’t have no jurisdiction there within the city limits,” Pacheco said.
Wayne Richman, Founder of California Hemp Association, said he recently signed an Memorandum-of-Understanding with the county to help promote industrial Hemp in the area.
“Prohibition ended on December 21 st the day after President Trump signed the [2018] Farm Bill. It took Hemp off the Schedule-1 narcotics list, because there’s no THC of any consequence in Hemp itself only in its cousin Marijuana.”
IID said the government is still working on a plan to regulate Hemp production. So, for the time being, they cannot deliver water to any producer who’s not under a research category.
The county is concerned this might affect potential Hemp cultivators and working closely with IID to find ways to make cultivators feel welcome.
“To come up with some solution that they can recognize that the water should and would be available to hemp growers in imperial county,” Kelley said.
However, county officials were disappointed the letter was sent out. They said the Hemp industry is something the valley needs desperately at the moment.
