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The Hemp News Updates from the Hemp Industries Association

Even though it's an election year, progress continues to be made on hemp bills in a few states. As we reported in the last issue, things are going well for the hemp farming bill in Vermont. The latest information is that the bill is likely to be taken up in the Senate in mid-March. Things could be going better for the hemp study bill in Wisconsin, however. The bill has been recommended in committee, but is having a hard time getting a floor vote. Wisconsin residents, see our recent Action Alert for more information and to take action.

On a more positive note, the hemp farming bill in Minnesota, which was carried over from last year, was amended and passed out of the House Agriculture Committee and referred to the Public Safety Committee, where it eked out a close vote, but there is some opposition.

Over the weekend, I took the time to re-read the North Dakota farmers' appeal that was filed late last month. It seems long at 48 pages, but it's actually a pretty easy read. I found on page 23 that the District Court relied on material outside the pleadings, the USDA's Industrial Hemp in the United States: Status and Market Potential (2000), and quoted from the report in its decision. If you have the time, please download and read the appeal yourself.


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