Hemp Progress on the Prairie

by U.S. Hemp Roundtable www.hempsupporter.com

"Hemp Supports America" - Launched in early 2017, the U.S. Hemp Roundtable is a coalition of over dozens of hemp companies – representing every link of the product chain, from seed to sale – and all of the industry’s major national grassroots organizations.

Despite the deep and rich agricultural tradition, the Prairie States have seen some of the greatest resistance to hemp legalization.

But we’ve seen some pronounced prairie progress in the last few weeks.

---

IOWA

One of the few states never to adopt a hemp law, things grew worse in March when the Story County Attorney announced a crackdown on CBD products.  Senate File 279 was introduced, but it mostly focused on hemp growth.  However, the Roundtable hired local lobbying help, and Senate File 599 was introduced that provides protections from Model State Act to hemp-derived CBD products. Initial language of concern that explicitly required retail products to comply with the Food Drug & Cosmetic Act was modified to only require a vaguer compliance with federal law.  Senate File 599 has passed and awaits the Governor's signature.

I emailed my representatives this week, and Senator Clarie Celsi replied that she is optimistic that the Governor will sign it into law!

---

KANSAS

This week, Kansas’ Governor signed Senate Substitute to House Bill 2167, which expands the state’s hemp growth program from research to commercialization and ensures that hemp and hemp products are not considered controlled substances.  There were no explicit provisions about hemp CBD, but it adopts the 2018 Farm Bill’s definition of hemp (including “extracts”, “cannabinoids” and “derivatives”), meaning extra protection for CBD.  Stay tuned – we may need your further assistance.

---

NEBRASKA

​The uniquely unicameral Nebraska legislature (only a Senate, no House) is considering two bills to legalize hemp and promote the sale of hemp products.  LB 457 removes hemp and products like hemp-derived CBD from drug control; while LB 657 sets up the regulatory framework that allows for individuals to apply for growing and processing licenses.  LB 657 left the agriculture committee without opposition and was given priority status.  On April 15, it had its first of three rounds of voting and passed 37-4.  In the second round, LB 457 is expected to be amended into it.  Four Senators have been trying to stall the bill with frivolous amendments, so we need your help getting this bill onto the Governor’s desk.  If you hail from Nebraska, please use our handy online State Action Center to contact your state legislators to vote for final passage of LB 457 and LB 657.  If you are not from Nebraska, please share this email and our portal with your friends and social media contacts in the Cornhusker State.

---

This content is provided by The U.S. Hemp Roundtable, Inc..  You can check out all the states at the State Action Center on their website.

STATE ACTION CENTER