The Midwest Hemp Council released an email this morning in conjunction with Perdue University warning growers of predatory seed vendors. According to the email sent to subscribers, the Office of Indiana State Chemist (or OISC for short) is warning farmers of vendors sending seeds that do not match their labeling, or not fulfilling orders at all.
Donald Robinson, the OISC seed administrator, was quoted as saying, "We saw a situation recently where the buyer thought he was buying and growing hemp, but instead he grew a crop with 17 percent THC."
While this is a terrifying situation for any grower, there are a few steps that you can take to help protect yourself and ensure that you are getting what you pay for.
Many states offer lists of licensed seed and clone vendors on websites dedicated to their hemp program. This can give you a starting point in order to research the best vendor for your needs.
Word of mouth is another powerful tool. Simply calling your state's hemp regulatory department and asking to be pointed in the right direction can start you on your path to finding reliable hemp seed. There are well run and carefully moderated Facebook groups run by industry experts for this specific purpose as well.
Researching the vendor is another excellent tool to help protect yourself from predatory vendors. How long have they been in business? Where are they located? Do they have a social presence? And most importantly, what are others saying about them?
If you feel that you have been a victim of a predatory vendor, reach out to the department that regulates your state's hemp program. They can give you advice on what your next steps should be.
Finding the right vendor may take some time and research, but can prove beneficial in the long run. Buying dishonest seed can cause a crop to fail before harvest, go hot, or a million other nightmare scenarios. With the hemp industry expanding, it is more important than ever for growers to remain vigilant in order to avoid predatory vendors.