The Hemp Report

     The legislative season in some states is winding down, and planting season is almost upon us. In many smaller states where farmers are often legislators, the legislative calendars revolve around the seasons. In many larger states, however, being an elected official is now a full-time job.

     Ten farming states have introduced industrial hemp legislation in 2007: California, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, Vermont and Wisconsin.

     Please remember that all state hemp bills and resolutions introduced since 1995 are listed on our State Industrial Hemp Legislation page.

     North Dakota leads the pack with five bills introduced this year — two of which, SB 2099 and HB 1490, have already been signed by Gov. John Hoeven. Two others are resolutions urging Congress to recognize the multiple benefits of industrial hemp and to direct the DEA to differentiate between industrial hemp and marijuana. The fifth bill, HB 1020, has passed both the House and Senate with different amendments and is now in conference committee.

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