On a small research plot in Weber Canyon, three varieties of industrial hemp were planted on Monday, the first day of Hemp History Week.
Scott Perez, a second-year industrial hemp farmer from Mancos, hopes his three-quarter acre agrarian experiment sprouts a robust agricultural transformation that benefits farmers across America.
"I saw a headline this week that indicated the outlook for hemp was hazy," said Perez. "That's simply not true. Industrial hemp is on the verge of becoming an agricultural revolution."
Industrial hemp doesn't contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
"It's absurd," said Perez. "You could smoke a whole bale of this stuff, and all you're going to get is a headache and a cough."
"We grew hemp from the 16th century past World War II and all the way up to 1970," Perez said. "I don't understand why we have to reinvent the wheel."
Growing pains
Congress declined to pass legislation that would have removed hemp from the federal list of banned substances or to reform laws that have hindered farmers' efforts to secure seed, yet Perez remains optimistic.
"If you believe in industrial hemp, then contact Congress and lobby," he said. "Write them a letter. Send an email. Call them. We have to push our politicians."
Legalized in Colorado last year for the first time in more than 50 years, industrial hemp still faces hurdles. U.S. officials, for example, have approved academic-based research efforts in states that have revised hemp laws, but Perez said Colorado State University agricultural officials have not provided seed stock for test plots like his. And some seed suppliers are charging more than $2,500 per pound, he said.
"Seed is still definitely an issue," Perez said.
Because hemp is included in the Controlled Substances Act, farmers face a loss of federal subsides, or worse, their farms, said Perez. He cautioned farmers not to "jump in" without "jumping through" protocols.
"A lot of farmers are waiting to see if I'm going to get marched off in handcuffs," he said.
Seeds of change
Perez planted a half-pound of seed that he received from a friend last year. He then saved a half-pound of seed harvested from his crop, and relied on the generosity of other farmers.
This week, he planted three hemp varieties, sowing them between rows of sunflowers and corn to combat cross-pollination,
"The seed I got last year tested with a 10 percent viability and a 5 percent viability in the field," Perez said. "This year, it tested at 80 percent."
Perez has relied on irrigation water, saying dry land puts his small supply of seeds at risk. Though hemp is drought-resistant, it requires about 12 inches of water during its 90- to 100-day growing season.
"I'd love to be able to make some money growing hemp, but this year, I just want to find a strain that will work in our climate," said Perez.
Perez, 63, grew up in a Midwest farm community. After receiving a graduate degree in natural resources from Cornell University a few years ago, he settled in Mancos.
"Hemp is really good for soil restoration," he said. "So I became interested from the conservancy end of things."
Then he found that hemp could be used to produce cannabidiol, or CBD, which has medical applications including treatment for epilepsy. His son suffered from seizures since age 11.
"My hemp crop this year is going to be used to make CBD oil," said Perez.
In 2015, Colorado has licensed 2,637 acres for hemp production. Perez has partnered with a Steve Ottersberg, a former Fort Lewis College chemistry professor, to produce CBD oil. Launched this year, Ottersberg's Green Lab Solutions Co. in Durango is the only known industrial hemp production facility operating in Southwest Colorado.
