Members of the Senate Agriculture committee voted unanimously on May 3rd against legislation, HB 1085, which had sought to permit licensed farmers to grow industrial hemp in accordance with a state-sponsored research program.
Members of the House had previously approved the legislation in a 67 to 25 vote on April 26th.
Under the measure, state universities would have been allowed to develop a pilot program to study the growth, cultivation or marketing of industrial hemp for agricultural or academic research.
Members of Congress reauthorized language in the omnibus federal Farm Bill explicitly authorizing states to sponsor hemp research absent federal reclassification of the plant. Presently, more than 20 states have enacted legislation permitting licensed hemp cultivation in a manner that is compliant with this statute.
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
