The Nebraska Legislature’s Agriculture Committee held a hearing this week on LB 657, The Nebraska Hemp Act. The measure would permit the growth and cultivation of industrial hemp. Imperial area farmer Roger Harmon who was at the hearing said 12 different people testified with no one in opposition to the measure. He says growers like himself will see benefits of being able to grow the crop.

He says industrial hemp is used in several products so there’s great opportunity for the crop.

Harmon says farmers need banks and financing institutions to encourage and support the production of industrial hemp.

Senator Justin Wayne sponsored the bill and says an agreement is needed on state regulations for growing industrial hemp that will be put together by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.