Missouri Legislative Committee Votes 10 to 1 to Legalize Hemp
Missouri’s House 
Economic Development and Business Attraction and Retention Committee has voted 10 to 1 to legalize the production and cultivation of industrial hemp through the passage of House Bill 830.
House Bill 830, filed by Representative Paul Curtman, would reclassify cannabis as a legal agricultural product in the state, and would establish a system of licensing and regulations for those wishing to cultivate the crop.
The proposal would define hemp as having no more than 0.3% THC, and would take effect on August 28th if passed into law by the state’s Legislature, and signed into law – or allowed to become law without his signature – by Governor Jay Nixon.
According to congressional research released last year, the United States imports roughly half a billion dollars in hemp from other countries (primarily Canada and China) while retaining the illegality of its cultivation amongst its own farmers. The same research estimates the hemp market to consist of over 25,000 various products.
House Bill 830 has been assigned to the House Commerce Committee.
– TheJointBlog