Missouri Bill to Legalize Hemp Approved by House Commerce Committee
A bill 
to legalize the production and cultivation of industrial hemp in Missouri has been approved with a 6 to 1 vote by the state’s House Commerce Committee. The bill was approved last week with a 10 to 1 vote by the House Economic Development and Business Attraction and Retention Committee.
House Bill 830 would reclassify cannabis as a legal agricultural product in the state by removing it as a controlled substance. It would establish a system of licensing and regulations for those wishing to cultivate the crop, which would be defined as having no more than 0.3% THC.
If approved into law, the proposal would take effect on August 28th. The state would not need federal approval to begin implementation of the proposal.
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 now advances to the floor of the full House.
– TheJointBlog