Senators Mitch McConnell and Ron Wyden’s Hemp Farming Act language just included in the new federal Farm Bill!!
This is a happy and historical Hemp History Week! Today the U.S. Senate introduced the Senate Agricultural Act, which included the language of the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 (S. 2667).
Just four years ago the Agricultural Act of 2014, otherwise known as the Farm Bill, provided the first federal definition of industrial hemp and legal authority for domestic hemp cultivation. A short four years later our U.S. Senate has introduced language to fully legalize hemp and bring the regulatory authority of hemp cultivation to the USDA.
We thank the Senate Agriculture Committee for working with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Wyden, and Senator Bennet on the historic inclusion of this language in the new federal Farm Bill.
Inclusion of the Hemp Farming Act language in the Agricultural Act provides farmers the federal protection and clarity they have been seeking since the beginning of the Agricultural Pilot Programs. The bill provides for removal of hemp from the Controlled Substances Act. It also gives a clear definition of hemp which finally defines what any part of the plant truly means. This coming on the heels of the Vote Hemp and AGHS Hemp Lobby Day, demonstrates how powerful and effective dedicated grassroots advocacy can be.
AGHS gives a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined Vote Hemp and us in Washington. D.C. and participated in Hemp Lobby Day. We also give a special thank you to Vote Hemp for leading the efforts this Hemp History Week.
This action by the Senate, days after the annual resolution celebrating Hemp History Week, is a defining moment in our industry’s history. Hemp advocates you are leading this change!
Contact your Congressional Delegates to continue our progress: CLICK HERE
“Securing the Hemp Farming Act as part of the 2018 Farm Bill has been a top priority of mine. I would like to thank Chairman Roberts and the cosponsors of the Hemp Farming Act – especially Senator Wyden and Representative James Comer in the House — for supporting those efforts. I look forward to continuing to work with my Senate colleagues on this and many other issues important to Kentucky agriculture as we move towards consideration of the Farm Bill,” said Senator McConnell. “As a result of the hemp pilot program, which I secured in the 2014 Farm Bill, Kentucky’s farmers, processors, and manufacturers have begun to show the potential for this versatile crop. Today’s announcement will build upon that progress to help the Commonwealth enhance its standing at the forefront of hemp’s return to American agriculture. I look forward to continuing to work with my Senate colleagues and my partners in Kentucky – including Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles — to grow hemp’s bright future.” QUOTE LINK