Alabama Legislature approves bills legalizing industrial hemp
The Alabama Senate overwhelmingly passed SB347 Tuesday evening, a bill legalizing the research and regulation of industrial hemp—the non-intoxicating version of the cannabis plant. A similar, but not identical, bill passed the Alabama House earlier in the day. “There is enormous economic potential for the use of industrial hemp, which can be used in the production of insulation materials, yarns, textiles, and auto parts,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Paul Bussman, a Cullman Republican. “This proposal will allow our colleges and universities to investigate industrial hemp’s full potential. I believe industrial hemp could be a huge benefit to our Alabama’s agriculture, but I’m glad we’re taking this initial step approving research before we consider legalization for economic production,” Should either house adopt the other’s version of the bill, and it is signed by Gov. Robert Bentley, Alabama will become the 29th state to legalize the cash crop. The bills would allow the state’s colleges and universities to research the plant and its properties, and allow the Department of Agriculture and Industries to license growers in the state. Any revenues from the licensing and taxing of industrial hemp would be earmarked for the Department of Agriculture. The Department’s commissioner, John McMillan, celebrated the bill’s passage in a press release. “I want to commend Senator Bussman for his leadership on this issue and for his willingness to seek alternative cash crops for Alabama farmers,” said McMillan. “We look forward to the potential research opportunities this legislation provides our state institutions of higher education.” In their support of the bill, Sen. Bussman and the House version’s sponsor, Rep. Ken Johnson, cited a white paper written by Auburn University detailing the plant’s uses in the creation of food, fuel, in textiles, and other raw materials. The white paper also found the crop grows well in all of the Yellowhammer State’s soils in climates, and requires the use of few pesticides or fertilizers, making it an attractive and inexpensive commodity for Alabama’s many farmers.
Lawmakers introduce bill to legalize industrial hemp
Sen Paul Bussman (R-Cullman) and Rep. Ken Johnson (R-Moutlon), alongside Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner John McMillan, held a news conference Wednesday to introduce legislation aimed at legalizing industrial hemp in the state. The legislation would allow Alabama colleges and the Department of Agriculture to grow and research hemp, the nonintoxicating strand of marijuana, making the state the 29th to do so. “The federal government has approved the production of industrial hemp and 28 states have already green-lighted pilot programs or production,” Bussman remarked in a news release. “This bill would allow the Agriculture Department and our colleges and universities to investigate the full uses of industrial hemp, which we already know can be used in the production of insulation materials, yarns, textiles, and even auto parts.” Auburn University conducted a study last year, which found that Alabama’s climate and soil is ideal for growing the endurable plant and the Hemp Industries Association found that retail values of hemp came it at about $620 million in 2014. “If this is a viable and productive crop in other states, we owe it to Alabama farmers to at least research the economic opportunities in our own backyard,” Johnson said in the release. “This legislation simply allows our colleges, universities, and the Department of Agriculture to evaluate whether industrial hemp is a good fit for Alabama.” Hemp can be used for a variety of purposes, including paper, fabrics, biofuels, construction materials, plastic composites and more. Hemp requires no pesticides and less water than conventional crops. Further, it breathes CO2, detoxifies soil and prevents soil erosion.
