36 pesticides now approved for U.S. hemp cultivation

In December 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a list of pesticides approved for use in hemp cultivation. This was the first federal guidance on what products could be used to treat hemp after it was legalized in 2018.

“Under the Trump Administration, the EPA is committed to providing much-needed certainty to farmers and ranchers across the country who rely on crop protection tools to ensure a global supply of products, while driving economic growth in agricultural communities across America,” said EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler in the release announcing the list.

The list initially included nine biopesticides (pesticides derived from natural materials such as animals, bacteria and plants) and one conventional pesticide. Conventional pesticides use active ingredients other than those in biopesticides and are usually synthetically produced.

Since its release, the list still has just one conventional pesticide, but now includes 35 biopesticides, greatly expanding the options hemp cultivators have for pest control.

The list will continue to be updated with new pesticides as more companies apply to have products approved for use on hemp, according to the EPA. A formal application must be filed with the EPA by the pesticide producer to be considered.

The agency will perform the ecological, human health and cumulative risk testing. If the pesticide passes these tests, it is added to the list, making it officially allowed for use on hemp plants.

Current list of EPA-approved pesticides for use in hemp cultivation