The hemp industry is moving forward with the next steps to start a national checkoff.

After a nationwide survey found more than 80 percent of farmers and processors support a national referendum, the National Industrial Hemp Council and Hemp Industries Association are leading efforts to create a taskforce to determine how a program can support promotion and research needs.

John Johnson, board chairman of National Industrial Hemp Council, tells Brownfield it could take up to two years before the hemp industry is ready to submit a national proposal.

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