Deschutes County Planning Commission to convene panel discussion on hemp

The Deschutes County Planning Commission is convening a panel to discuss Deschutes County’s hemp industry. The Board of Commissioners requested that the Planning Commission explore the topic after receiving input from rural residents.

The community is invited to attend the event, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, at the Deschutes Services Center, which is located at 1300 NW Wall Street in Bend. Virtual participation will also be available.

An expert panel, comprised of representatives from the Deschutes County Farm Bureau, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon Water Resources Department, and hemp farmers will share their expertise as it relates to hemp production and processing and land use.

The panel will discuss a variety of other topics, including:

• The growing seasons for hemp.
• The seasonal variations of hemp production and processing.
• Why hemp production and processing can be controversial.
• How hemp production differs from other farm crops.
• If there is criminality associated with hemp production and processing.

Interested community members are encouraged to participate in-person (seating will be limited) or virtually. Instructions for virtual participation will posted online at www.deschutes.org/meetings in the Planning Commission meeting agenda for June 24.

For more information, please call Deschutes County Community Development at (541) 388-6528 or email tanya.saltzman@deschutes.org.