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Far fewer Wisconsin hemp licenses have been issued, so far

Wisconsin might have fewer hemp growers in 2021.  Wisconsin’s agriculture secretary-designee says the number of hemp grower licenses issued so far is less than last year. Randy Romanski says, “We’re seeing the numbers being down a little bit compared to previous years.”

Romanski says like other states, Wisconsin’s numbers have fluctuated a bit.  Romanski says outside of the CBD market, other hemp markets have not fully developed. “The goal with this being a pilot was that we would see some of these markets develop as time went on here, and I think the market is trying to find its way.”

The Wisconsin DATCP website shows there were 1,301 licensed growers in 2020.  So far in 2021, the state’s data shows there are only 340 grower licenses issued but applications are still coming in for this growing season.  Processor licenses are also down from last year with only 248 so far in 2021 compared to 619 a year ago.

Romanski says department staff members are still taking applications and compiling data to update the hemp website.