What States Is It Legal to Grow Ginseng
Michigan Ginseng Act 184 governs the harvesting, sale, and distribution of American ginseng grown in Michigan. Bill 184 makes it illegal to take American ginseng from the wild without permission from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). Currently, MRDM does not issue permits for the harvesting of wild ginseng. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division (PPPMD) administers the state`s ginseng certification program. James Brooks, Senior Conservation Officer at the FIDGV, has been with the ministry for 15 years. He says he`s seen a big spike in illegal harvesting, especially in recent years, thanks to social media, YouTube videos and TV shows detailing the illegal ginseng harvest. As the state works to prevent ginseng extinction, harvesters must also replant the seeds of the harvested plant. The law states that they must plant these seeds at the time of harvest at the place of harvest. Other states allow you to harvest and export only ginseng that has been artificially propagated. These include Idaho, Maine, Michigan and Washington. So, if you propagate ginseng in the forests of your property in these states, you can harvest and sell it. In the past week alone, Brooks says he`s made three separate stops for people who harvest the plant illegally. The most recent came over the weekend, when he arrested someone who had harvested the precious plant without permission on private property.
A ginseng plant does not produce seeds until it is about five years old. By taking only mature plants and planting their seeds, you will help ensure that ginseng continues to thrive in the areas where it is collected. In addition, ginseng seedlings do not produce roots of high commercial value. The roots of larger, older plants are more valuable and contain a higher concentration of ginsenosides, the main ingredient that gives ginseng its medicinal properties. As scrap metal continues to drop, Brooks says many criminals are now pursuing ginseng because of its rising price. Illegal ginseng harvesting is a first-class offense and the extra costs associated with harvesting can add up quickly. Harvesting on private property can result in trespassing charges. Protected lands, such as a national forest, can incur federal fees. The theft can also be accused of stealing the plant. Digging up wild ginseng worth more than two hundred dollars leads to crimes. You do not need a license to harvest ginseng on private property, but get permission from the owner before researching or collecting ginseng.
Without authorization, you will be prosecuted for trespassing and/or theft. The Michigan Ginseng Certification Program was established to promote the production and harvesting of cultivated ginseng. Wild ginseng is rarely found in Michigan and is an endangered (legally protected) plant. At the federal level, wild ginseng is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Click here for the ginseng FAQ. The plant can also be worth some money. Starting this week, a dried pound of ginseng will sell for $325. If the supply is low internationally, it can sell for more than $1,000.
There are many reasons why you may consider harvesting wild American ginseng. Ginseng root can be sold at a good price, and it is notoriously difficult to grow, so harvesting in the wild is common. But the harvesting of American ginseng is controversial and regulated by law. Know the rules before going on ginseng hunting. Collecting the plant on someone else`s property without written permission or entering federal and state property to harvest the plant is also illegal. Very similar to Asian ginseng, American ginseng has been harvested and used medicinally for thousands of years. Roots have been studied by modern researchers, and there is evidence that they have these benefits: reducing inflammation, improving brain function, treating erectile dysfunction, boosting the immune system, and reducing fatigue. WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – Appalachian police are learning more about ginseng as the Department of Inland Hunting and Fisheries draws attention to illegal harvesting. Data for buying, selling, or transporting ginseng: The laws governing harvesting wild ginseng vary from state to state, but when allowed, the United States.