Hemp Bill Passed House Committee

The House Agriculture Committee, chaired by Representative Clay Schexnayder, has given its approval to growing industrial hemp in Louisiana.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain said the legislation was given unanimous approval Thursday and now moves on to the full house for further debate.

Strain points out Louisiana is one of only six states that have not updated their laws regarding industrial hemp production. The others are Mississippi, Idaho, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas. Iowa’s legislature earlier this month approved a bill allowing farm production of industrial hemp and that states governor is expected to sign the bill in the not too distant future.

Strain also pointed out the Louisiana law has to follow strict U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines but at least the first step has been taken toward allowing a new agriculture cash crop to be grown in Louisiana.