Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) research priorities: Opinions from United States hemp stakeholders

Abstract

Abstract After over a half century hiatus from hemp production research, the crop is once again legal to grow in the United States. A nationwide survey of hemp stakeholders was conducted to determine priority areas for research. Respondents were asked to rate and rank areas of research relating to agronomics, economics, and genetics. Additional information was collected in education and outreach needs, regulatory concerns, and stakeholder demographics. Stakeholders suggested that hemp markets and economics, regulatory compliance, human nutritional quality and health properties, flower quality, and seed characteristics and considerations were the top priorities. Additional areas of research were considered extremely important by the majority of stakeholders: postharvest considerations, disease management, and plant breeding. Survey responses suggest the strong need for investment in this crop to make it economically viable for stakeholders. The information gained from the survey results will aid hemp researchers in defining their research priorities. Furthermore, survey findings can be used by funding entities to develop targeted grant programs to help support this reemerging crop.

Keywords

• Cannabis sativa
• CBD
• hemp
• hemp research
• survey
• hemp education