The 20-Day Rule: MDARD, Hot Crops, and the End of the Wild West
“If you talk to them, they’ll work with you. If you don’t, you won’t like the consequences.” — Jeff Gallagher (quoted on the show)
The Gold Rush is over. The “Green Rush” has sobered up.
According to Molly Mott from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), who joined us for this week’s iHemp Hour, Michigan has 166 registered hemp growers this year. That is an 80% reduction from the peak of the frenzy two years ago.
Is this bad news? No. It’s a market correction. The speculators have left the building, and the serious agriculturalists remain. If you are one of the 166 left standing, this episode is your playbook for survival.
The Golden Rule: Don’t Harvest Until You Call
Molly Mott took over the reins from Gina Alessandri, and her message to farmers is urgent and clear: Communication is everything.
There is a widely misunderstood rule about the “20 to 30-day window” for testing. Here is the reality:
- Do NOT call MDARD three days before you want to cut.
- Do NOT harvest your crop, put it in the barn, and then call for an inspection.
- DO call 20 to 30 days before your anticipated harvest date to get on the schedule.
As Molly put it, “It’s not good to ask for forgiveness after.” If you harvest before they sample, you are putting your entire season’s revenue at risk.
The “Hot” Crop Reality Check
For the few crops that have tested “hot” (over 0.3% THC) this year, there is confusion about the 1% rule.
- 0.3% (plus the lab variance of 0.06%) is the compliance limit. If you are at 0.36% or lower, you are safe.
- 1.0% isn’t the magic “safe” number. It is the threshold for negligent violation. If you are under 1% but over 0.36%, you still have to remediate or dispose of the crop, but you aren’t flagged as negligent.
Molly also confirmed that “Performance-Based Sampling” (where trusted varieties might skip testing) is on the to-do list for future seasons, but for 2021, everyone gets tested.
The War on Caregivers & The Delta-8 Shift
The regulatory landscape isn’t just changing for farmers. Mike Brennan highlighted a massive legislative fight brewing in Lansing. Bills have been dropped that would drastically reduce caregiver patient counts (from 5 to 1) and cut home grow limits. This is a move by large corporate interests to squeeze out the legacy market.
Furthermore, Delta-8 is moving houses. Come October 11th, Delta-8 and other intoxicating synthesized cannabinoids will move under the purview of the MRA (Marijuana Regulatory Agency). If you are in the hemp game for wellness, this clears the muddy waters. If you are in it for loopholes, the walls are closing in.
The Tribe is Gathering
We also checked in with Chris Hudson live from the West Michigan Cannabis & Hemp Expo at the DeltaPlex. The industry is getting back together—safely and energetically. From the STEAM competition featuring hemp frisbees to the upcoming Hempies Awards in January, the community is vibrant.
But you can’t navigate these waters alone. You need the tribe.
Join the iHemp Michigan Business Directory. For $100 a year, you get visibility, advocacy, and the inside track on regulations that can save your farm. As Dave says, “You’d be a fool not to join.”
Join the Tribe at iHempMichigan.com
This Week’s Recipe: One-Ingredient Hemp Butter
We kept it incredibly simple this week. Want a nutrient-dense spread for your toast or a base for cooking?
- Ingredients: 1.5 cups of Hemp Hearts. That’s it.
- Method: Blend for 5-6 minutes until smooth and creamy.
- Result: A rich, nutty, green superfood butter that lasts a month in the fridge.
Watch the full interview with MDARD’s Molly Mott here: