department of argiculture Archives

Oregon Senate Votes to Reject Moratorium on Industrial Hemp Cultivation

July 7, 2015

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.

Colorado Legislature Passes Legislation to Establish Hemp Seed Program, Sent to Governor for Consideration

May 20, 2015

Colorado’s full Legislature has given approval to Senate Bill 196, a proposal to establish a certified hemp seed program. The measure has been sent to Governor John Hickenlooper, who’s expected to sign it into law.

If signed by Governor Hickenlooper, or allowed to become law without his signature, Senate Bill 196 would establish a hemp seed program through the state’s Department of Agriculture, allowing farmers to apply with the Department to receive hemp seeds which they could then use for legally cultivating industrial hemp.

Colorado Senate Unanimously Passes Bill to Establish Hemp Seed Program

April 27, 2015April 26, 2015

Colorado’s Senate has given unanimous approval to Senate Bill 196, a proposal to establish a certified hemp seed program. The bill was passed with unanimous support, 35 to 0.

Senate Bill 196 would establish a hemp seed program through the state’s Department of Agriculture, which would allow farmers to apply with the Department to receive hemp seeds, which they could then use for industrial hemp farming.

New Mexico Hemp Bill Passes Legislature, Heads to Supportive Governor

March 22, 2015March 21, 2015

New Mexico’s House of Representatives has voted 54 to 12 to approve Senate Bill 94, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act, which has already passed the state’s Senate. It now heads to Governor Susana Martinez for consideration.

If approved into law, Senate Bill 94 would legalize the cultivation of hemp for research purposes, establishing a regulatory system for those wanting to grow the plant. Research would be conducted by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with New Mexico State University. The proposal would also allow for the legalization of hemp for industrial purposes, though that won’t take effect until there’s a change in federal law.