Oregon Senate Votes to Reject Moratorium on Industrial Hemp Cultivation
Oregon’s Senate on Monday voted to opposed a measure that would have placed a two-year moratorium on hemp production in the state.
House Bill 2668 was rejected with a 13 to 17 vote. The proposal would have required the state Department of Agriculture to revoke all 13 of the hemp permits issued this year, with additional permits not granted until 2017. The measure was opposed by all 12 Republicans, who were joined in opposition by 5 Democrats.
On July 1st, the possession and cultivation of recreational cannabis became legal in Oregon. Cannabis retail outlets are expected to open next year, though legislation to allow legal sales to begin October 1st through medical cannabis dispensaries currently sits on Governor Kate Brown’s desk for consideration.
Hemp cultivation is also legal in Oregon, so long as farmers follow certain rules such as maintaining a cultivation site of 2.5 acres or larger, and retaining a THC level of no more than 0.3%.
– TheJointBlog