Industrial Hemp Bill Passed by Kansas Legislature
Kansas’ full House of Representatives has given approval to legislation allowing hemp to be legally cultivated (the bill’s already passed the Senate).
The Kansas House of Representatives voted 123 to 1 today to approve Senate Bill 263. The vote comes roughly a month after the Senate passed the measure 36 to 3. Given the measure was amended slightly in the House, it will need to receive one more vote in the Senate before it can be sent to Governor Jeff Colyer for consideration.
The legislation, titled the Alternative Crop Research Act, would alter the definition of “marijuana” under the state’s controlled substances law to exclude “industrial hemp”. The measure would allow the Kansas Department of Agriculture to cultivate and promote the research and development of industrial hemp. The Department would be given the choice of growing and researching the plant on their own accord, or they could coordinate with a college or university. Individual farmers would also be allowed to grow hemp under supervision of the Department.
Senate Bill 263 would require the Department to promulgate rules and regulations for hemp cultivation by December 31 of this year.
The full text of the bill can be found by clicking here.
