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Kansas Governor Signs Hemp Bill

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[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]K[/dropcap]ansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill on April 15 that officially establishes a “Commercial Industrial Hemp Program” in the state.

Prior to this news, hemp cultivation was only allowed in Kansas if it fell within the confines of research programs by the 2014 Farm Bill. Now, House Bill 2167 gives legislators the go-ahead to begin planning regulations for an industrial hemp industry. The governor and Kansas Department of Agriculture will work together to find the best way to monitor and regulate hemp production. “The Commercial Industrial Hemp Program represents a significant step forward for our agricultural economy. It will provide another crop option for Kansas farmers in the coming years,” Gov. Kelly said. “I’m proud that Kansas is moving forward with this program and I look forward to working with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture and others to encourage growth in this new industry.”

Other states have also seen the benefit of cultivate hemp, because of its versatility. Not only is hemp being praised for deriving CBD, but it could also be used as a clothing material, gasoline, concrete substitute, food and much more. In late-March, the House passed an earlier version of hemp legalization with House Bill 2173. According to a local activist and owner of stores that carry hemp-derived products, the approval of hemp on a statewide scale is a step in the right direction. “Ninety percent of the market is CBD right now in the U.S.,” Hammond told The Wichita Eagle. “The industrial part of the market, we don’t have infrastructure . . . We can’t make anything with it.”

The way we farming in the United States is changing, and hemp is rapidly rising to the top as a useful trade good. Gov. Kelly is certain that hemp will help Kansas farmers by providing yet another great crop to tend to. “In recent years, Kansas farmers have faced significant challenges – including weather and trade tensions,” she stated. “I’m committed to doing all I can to support them and provide opportunities for diversification. This program provides another tool in the toolbox for Kansas farmers.”

 

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