A Kentucky farmer tells lawmakers hemp is a potential alternative crop, but not without its own issues.

During a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing Thursday, lawmakers heard the needs of what a U.S. program should address.

Kentucky Farmer Brian Furnish says hemp farmers struggle to plant a crop that can emerge, as hemp seed needs very specific conditions for germination and initial growth.

He also says weeds are hard to control in hemp because there are currently no crop protection products certified for use on hemp.

The Department of Agriculture is set to release guidelines regarding hemp sometime next month.

USDA undersecretary Greg Ibach told lawmakers at the hearing the guidelines address testing standards, disposal, land use, and law enforcement compliance, along with licensing requirements for products and farmworkers.

There remains concern, giving the interest, that the hemp market may overpopulate quickly.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue earlier commented he is “concerned farmers may overproduce.”

The U.S. currently lacks processing and marketing infrastructure for wide-spread hemp production.