Lawmakers Advance Hemp Bill
Published: Friday, March 1, 2019
The odds of industrial hemp becoming another cash crop option for Hoosier farmers appear more favorable this year.
The Indiana Senate Monday voted 47 to 1 to allow industrial hemp to be grown commercially.
This comes after the governor recently expressed support for the measure after hemp, a non-intoxicating cousin of marijuana, was made legal under Federal law by the 2018 Farm Bill adopted by Congress in December.
Gov. Eric Holcomb was against hemp prior to it being decriminalized, and he remains opposed to legalizing marijuana, which is still outlawed under Federal statutes.
Senate Bill 516, authored by state Sen. Randy Head (R-Logansport), moves to the House for further consideration.
"Hemp is a valuable product that could help support our agriculture industry as well as our entire economy,'' said Head in a prepared statement released by his office.
For years, another hang-up from lawmakers about industrial hemp was the fear about opening the door to growing marijuana.
The measure contains safeguards like requiring growers to obtain a license from the Office of the State Seed Commissioner and giving the commissioner authority to revoke a hemp license for any violations of the law or failing to cooperate with law enforcement or the Office of State Seed Commissioner.
The bill also establishes the Indiana Hemp Advisory Committee, which would advise the Office of the State Seed Commissioner on the state's hemp laws.
"With this bill, Indiana will have the necessary safeguards in place to ensure those with a license do not try to grow marijuana, and I believe we are in great shape to move forward with this legislation," Head said.
State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) likes the chances of the industrial hemp bill advancing out of a House committee and gaining approval on the House floor a year after the sale of hemp derived CBD oil became legal in the state.
"I can't imagine why we wouldn't get it through the House,'' said Pressel.
Pressel said hemp can benefit both farmers and consumers, who use the wide range of hemp-based products like oils, which are billed as having medical benefits.
"Why should Kentucky be the one that's growing the product and bringing it to Indiana. I think it's a good business move,'' he said.
Supporters hope the proposal becomes law soon enough to start raising hemp this growing season.
If signed by the governor, the U.S Department of Agriculture still has to grant final approval.
According to Purdue University, hemp should be planted after the risk for hard freezes and slightly before the planting of corn.
Hemp grows best on a loose, well-aerated loam soil with high fertility and abundant organic matter, with a pH of 6.0-7.5.
Well-drained or tiled clay soils can also be used, but poorly-drained clay or poorly structured soils often cause the plants to fail, according to Purdue University.
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