Governor Larry Hogan has signed legislation, House Bill 443, to permit the Department of Agriculture to authorize institutions of higher education to cultivate industrial hemp for academic research purposes.
Members of the Senate voted 45 to zero in favor of the bill. House members voted 136 to zero in favor of the measure.
Members of Congress recently approved language in the omnibus federal Farm Bill explicitly authorizing states to sponsor hemp research absent federal reclassification of the plant.
Presently, 26 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.
Additional information on pending marijuana law reform information is available from Maryland NORML here or write info@marylandnorml.org.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – Advocacy Campaigns
