Members of the Senate failed to consider pending legislation, House Bill 2038, to expand the state’s industrial hemp research program, before the legislative session came to an end.
House Bill 2038 was previously approved by members of the House on April 11th, 2016 in a 123 to 29 vote.
Other pending measures, House Bill 1973 and Senate Bill 584, also failed to garner support this session.
In 2014, lawmakers passed House Bill 2238 which permits the Department of Agriculture to licsense farmers to grow industrial hemp for research purposes.
Hemp is a distinct variety of the plant species cannabis sativa L. that contains minimal amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Various parts of the plant can be utilized in the making of textiles, paper, paints, clothing, plastics, cosmetics, foodstuffs, insulation, animal feed and other products. The crop is commercially cultivated throughout the world.
NORML would like to thank those of you who contacted your state lawmakers in support of this legislation.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – Advocacy Campaigns
