ND farmers lose appeal to grow hemp; US appeals court affirms dismissal of federal lawsuit

ND farmers lose appeal to grow hemp

BISMARCK, N.D. — A federal appeals court has affirmed a lower court’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit by two North Dakota farmers seeking to grow hemp.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling Tuesday.

Farmers Wayne Hauge and David Monson received North Dakota’s first state licenses to grow industrial hemp nearly three years ago, but they never received approval from the DEA.

The case has been before the appeals court for more than a year after U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland dismissed it.

Hemp is used to make paper, lotion and other products. It’s also related to the illegal drug marijuana. Under federal law, parts of an industrial hemp plant are considered controlled substances.