SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The South Dakota Farmer’s Union says if the industrial hemp bill becomes law it will create more economic opportunity for producers.
Matt Sibley with the Union says with commodity prices so low, it might help some farmer’s bottom lines. Sibley says the measure gives farmers another option, another opportunity to diversify. He adds it will definately benefit the producer, especially the small family farmer.
Sibley says the legislation balances the possible benefits without weakening the state’s ban on recreational marijuana. He says the Farmer's Union position is solely on the use of industrial hemp and not beyond that. He says as long as the state keeps those safeguards and regulations in place, the Farmer's Union will support the legislation.
The bill’s next stop is in the Senate Ag Committee.
The bill allows farmers to cultivate hemp as long as it contains less than three-tenths of a percent of THC, the active ingredient in its cousin marijuana. Farmers would have to first pass a background check before getting a licence to grow industrial hemp.
(Thanks Greater Dakota News Service)