Industrial hemp pilot program reappears in the Missouri legislature

The Missourian reports….

The prospects for industrial hemp in Missouri are looking up this year.

Missouri senators advanced a bill Tuesday that would create a pilot program in the state to study the growth, cultivation, processing and marketing of industrial hemp in cooperation with Missouri’s Department of Agriculture.

Members of the General Assembly have  been working on pilot programs for the growth and research of industrial hemp for three years. Lawmakers in the House introduced such pilot programs in 2016 and 2017, but they have never made it through the Senate.

Hemp is used in a variety of everyday products such as lotions, oils, clothes and other materials. Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, the bill’s sponsor, said Missouri used to be one of the world’s largest producers  of hemp.

Multiple senators expressed support for the bill, believing it could lead to economic growth

Source: https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/industrial-hemp-pilot-program-reappears-in-the-missouri-legislature/article_b252ed98-21aa-11e8-a47c-bf490be40b2e.html

SB 547