A South Dakota legislative summer committee will be studying the industrial hemp issue. Farmers Union lobbyist Mitch Richter says state lawmakers and his group’s members are awaiting federal rules on industrial hemp from FDA and the USDA to help clarify the issue.
South Dakota lawmakers passed an industrial hemp bill this session, but it was vetoed by Governor Kristi Noem. Richter is hoping the summer study committee will be able to answer the Governor’s questions and move industrial hemp legislation forward in January.
He also says there could be more clarity on the issue from legislation being considered by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
The South Dakota Farmers Union backed the industrial hemp bill that passed this session and was subsequently vetoed.
