Hemp Inc (HEMP)

[worldisfullofDerps]

Houses passes bill allowing individuals to grow hemp

By Andrea Lannom Register-Herald Reporter

CHARLESTON — Licensed individuals would be able to lawfully grow hemp under a bill passed Tuesday by the West Virginia House.

Delegate John Shott, R-Mercer, explained that House Bill 2453 would expand the list of people who are currently allowed to grow hemp to individuals who have satisfied the application process.

He said right now, only the state Department of Agriculture and higher education institutions are authorized to grow hemp in West Virginia.

“It's been the victim of some mischaracterization,” Shott said. “It appears most of the problem is its similarity to marijuana. It's a different breed of cannabis. The key is that the THC content of industrial hemp is very low. It's about 0.2 to 0.3 percent compared to 3 to 15 percent in marijuana. Basically, you can smoke all the hemp you want and the worst that can happen is you get a headache.”

Shott said hemp has been classified as marijuana but is grown all over the world as an industrial product used in clothing, biofuels, plastic composites and health foods.

“My suggestion is we look at it further to loosen restriction further,” Shott said. “This offers an enormous opportunity for commercial activity in our area.”

Delegate Justin Marcum, D-Mingo, said the bill would be good to diversify the economy, especially in southern West Virginia, mentioning the possibility of growing hemp on post mine sites.

Delegate Carol Miller, R-Cabell, also spoke in favor of the bill.

“The agriculture committee has worked for years to expand whatever business that we can in our state,” Miller said. “This has been very, very successful in the state of Kentucky. I'm very glad to have this bill.”

All 98 members present voted for the bill.

Source: http://www.register-herald.com/news/houses-passes-bill-allowing-individuals-to-grow-hemp/article_2f0ce280-74f7-53a6-ab18-c063b9a089d7.html