Matt Doyle | WWL.com
Industrial hemp legalization is on its way to the Louisiana House after unanimously passing in the House Agriculture Committee. Gonzales Representative Clay Shexnayder (R) says it’s a highly profitable, and renewable crop.
"It’s something that will not only create a bunch of jobs, it will create a positive impact on the economy, along with helping farmers with another tool in their belt," he said.
According to Pew Research, 19 states harvested industrial hemp last year, but only 25,000 total acres.
Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says colonists began harvesting hemp in the early 1700s, and had a number of uses for it, including paper. He says these days hemp can be found in a range of products.
"Textiles, plastics, fuels, canvas, ropes, netting," said Strain, "home furnishings, plastics, automotive bodies, super capacitors."
Representative John Guinn (R-Jennings) says he supports the legislation, and says the banning of hemp production in America can be traced to the rise of their competitors in big plastic.
The 2018 U.S. Farm Bill allowed states to regulate the production of industrial hemp, which, while related to marijuana, has a THC level far below the amount necessary to get you high.
