Legislation to legalize industrial hemp production in South Dakota is expected to be up for discussion in the State House this week. Last week the measure passed unanimously out of the House Ag Committee, with an amendment backed by the Governor. South Dakota Farmers Union Lobbyist Mitch Richter says the Governor’s guard rails to support the bill have been met except the funding.

He agrees with the Governor that fees and registrations won’t be enough to fund the bill and it will have to come from state coffers.

Richter thinks legislators will eventually pass the bill because there is a great deal of support for it.

The measure is co-sponsored by Representatives Lee Qualm of Platte and Oren Lesmeister of Parade.