Legislation to allow South Dakota farmers to plant and grow industrial hemp is scheduled to be up before the Senate Ag committee today. South Dakota Farmers Union backs the measure. Their lobbyist Mitch Richter says Montana allowed the crop to be grown 4 years ago and this year will plant a substantial number of acres of it.
He says if the legislation passes this year, there could be a crop next year.
Richter says processors are ready to go once the legislature gives it’s o.k.
He says the level of THC which is found in marijuana is extremely small in hemp so there’s really no major similarity between the two. Richter also is hopeful they’ll be able to convince Governor Noem to change her stance and come out in support of the bill.
Richter says there was good support in the South Dakota House for the Hemp Bill with 65 voting in favor and he hopes that carries over to the Senate.
