Stevia Corp (STEV)

[Trained Monkey]

Ludo, that bill is the Congressional version of what Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul introduced to the Senate. This is the third year (attempt) at passing the industrial hemp bill (2013, 2014, and now).

What needs to happen: Congress needs to pass the bill (50% + 1) (218/425 say yes). Then, the bill is assigned to a senate committee who will assess it and introduce it to the floor for a vote, where it is heard in the senate. Majority to pass (Majority of those present. There are 100 so if all present 51 yeas needed)

If those things happen, it goes to the President... who can sign it into law or veto it. If he vetoes it, it can be overridden by a 2/3 majority of the house(congress)/senate.


The biggest problem was that the debates on the floor often lead to add-ons and changes to the bill. Earmarks and funding become issues over policy in many events. For example, the stand alone hemp amendment to the existing farm bill passed 225-200. When it was attached to the farm bill as a whole, it was defeated 195-234.

This year, the prediction is a 1% chance of passing according to govtrack: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s134 :(

Interestingly, many states are ignoring the Federal legislation, and 22 states have passes pro-hemp laws. So, harvests are ongoing in states and in Puerto Rico.

It will be voted on this spring/summer, and we'll all know the results at that time.

TM