Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has announced that the open comment period for the state’s proposed hemp production regulations has begun. The public can visit rules.iowa.gov to read the proposed administrative rules that will regulate the planting, growing and harvesting of commercial hemp in Iowa. Comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m./CT on Jan. 22, 2020. Once production has been legalized, licensed farmers will be able to grow up to 40 acres of hemp per season. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will start accepting hemp license applications once the USDA approves the state hemp plan and the online licensing system is operational.