Origanalist
02-24-2014, 11:34 PM
CHARLESTON, W.Va., February 24, 2014– As first reported by BenSwann.com last month, West Virginia legislators introduced legislation to nullify the federal ban on hemp. Earlier this afternoon the West Virginia State House voted to approve the bill which authorized the production, distribution and sale of industrial hemp within the state. The final vote was 88-8.
The legislation was introduced by Del. Mike Mannypenny (D – Taylor, 49), along with four co-sponsors. HB3011 modifies current state law on industrial hemp “removing the provision that requires an applicant to meet federal requirements concerning the production, distribution and sale of industrial hemp prior to being licensed.”
With the addition of a clause that disregards the requirement for federal permission, the state is asserting its authority to provide authorization for industrial hemp whether the federal government decides to approve or not.
Experts count as many as 25,000 uses for industrial hemp, including food, cosmetics, plastics and bio-fuel. The U.S. is currently the world’s #1 importer of hemp fiber for various products, with China and Canada acting as the top two exporters in the world.
This month, President Barack Obama signed a new farm bill into law, which included a provision allowing a handful of states to begin limited research programs growing hemp. The new “hemp amendment”
…allows State Agriculture Departments, colleges and universities to grow hemp, defined as the non-drug oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis, for academic or agricultural research purposes, but it applies only to states where industrial hemp farming is already legal under state law.
continued..
Read more: http://benswann.com/breaking-update-west-virginia-legislators-vote-to-nullify-federal-hemp-ban/#ixzz2uJEFBNb1
Follow us: @BenSwann_ on Twitter
The legislation was introduced by Del. Mike Mannypenny (D – Taylor, 49), along with four co-sponsors. HB3011 modifies current state law on industrial hemp “removing the provision that requires an applicant to meet federal requirements concerning the production, distribution and sale of industrial hemp prior to being licensed.”
With the addition of a clause that disregards the requirement for federal permission, the state is asserting its authority to provide authorization for industrial hemp whether the federal government decides to approve or not.
Experts count as many as 25,000 uses for industrial hemp, including food, cosmetics, plastics and bio-fuel. The U.S. is currently the world’s #1 importer of hemp fiber for various products, with China and Canada acting as the top two exporters in the world.
This month, President Barack Obama signed a new farm bill into law, which included a provision allowing a handful of states to begin limited research programs growing hemp. The new “hemp amendment”
…allows State Agriculture Departments, colleges and universities to grow hemp, defined as the non-drug oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis, for academic or agricultural research purposes, but it applies only to states where industrial hemp farming is already legal under state law.
continued..
Read more: http://benswann.com/breaking-update-west-virginia-legislators-vote-to-nullify-federal-hemp-ban/#ixzz2uJEFBNb1
Follow us: @BenSwann_ on Twitter