ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Farmers dealing with depressed prices for plants that produce CBD are eager to take part in a statewide marijuana market expected to generate billions of dollars a year once retail sales start. They already know how to grow and process cannabis plants, since hemp is essentially the same plant with lower levels of THC, marijuana’s active ingredient. Now they’re waiting on rules for getting into the new market. There are about 700 hemp farmers in the state, with some growing the plant for textiles or food but most growing for CBD.
Photo: Gail Hepworth, center, co-owner with her sister of Hepworth Farms in Milton, N.Y., talks with employees as dried hemp is processed, Monday, April 12, 2021. Farmers dealing with depressed prices for plants that produce CBD extract are eager to take part in a statewide marijuana market expected to generate billions of dollars a year once retail sales start. They already know how to grow and process cannabis plants, since hemp is essentially the same plant with lower levels of THC, marijuana’s active ingredient. Now they’re waiting on rules that will allow them to switch seeds. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
