Monday, December 18, 2023–8:52 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
It will be the first business of its kind in Rome.
On Monday, the Rome City Commission approved a rezoning request for a building on Center Street for a new commercial hemp growing operation.
The front portion of the building is currently occupied by the Rome Athletic Club. The hemp growing operation would be in the rear.
According to applicant Charles Craton, the businesses would be in completely separate.
“The gym is staying,” he said. “The gym is growing and doing great and we’re not about to change that.”
The operation will be run by Craton’s daughter Calley, who has a degree in agricultural economics and agri-business from Auburn University. She then moved to Nevada and worked in the cannabis industry, learning about growing that product line and working in a number of areas related to that.
She told the commission that hemp has been federally protected since President Donald Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill. Since that time, hemp has been cultivated and produced in all 50 states.
“In Georgia alone, there are over 100 licensed hemp cultivations for the 2023 registered year,” she said. There are cultivations as close as Cartersville and on the road to Calhoun.”
According to Craton, hemp has incredible versatility including, but not limited to, medical benefits, food and beverage, industrial and consumer textiles, building materials, and paper.
“As it relates to our business plan, we will be focusing on the medical benefits at this time,” she said.
The property would be used for hemp growing and drying only. The hemp would be processed at another location.
Commissioners Jim Bojo and Elaina Beeman voted against the rezoning.
