Assembly to Vote on New Hemp Law
New rules will affect 1,247 hemp growers and 556 hemp processors in the state.
Hemp. Photo is in the Public Domain.
State Assembly lawmakers are set to vote Tuesday on updates to hemp regulations in Wisconsin.
The proposal, which was approved by the state Senate last month, would re-authorize hemp growing and make a number of other technical changes to hemp laws in the state. If approved, it would move to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk for his signature.
Wisconsin legalized industrial hemp in 2017. Hemp is used to make a variety of products, including rope, fabrics, lotions and granola bars.
Supporters of the bill say state law must be updated in the wake of Congress’ action in the 2018 Farm Bill, which called for new federal regulations of the crop across the country.
According to the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, 1,247 hemp growers and 556 hemp processors were licensed and registered in 2019.
Before 2017, farming hemp hadn’t been legal in the state for decades, though it was once popular. The practice was outlawed due to the plant containing a small amount of THC, the chemical that gives marijuana users a high.
Current law requires that growers and processors pass a background check. They are not allowed to grow or process the crop if they have any state or federal drug convictions. Hemp crops also have to pass state tests for THC levels — any crop with more than 0.3 percent THC must be destroyed.
Some farmers have raised concerns about how long it can take the state to test their crops, arguing delays mean the product is more likely to increase in THC concentration and become ineligible for sale.
Tax Credit Repeal, Legalizing Pepper Spray Alternative Also Up For Votes
Other proposals up for consideration in the Assembly would:
- Finalize the repeal of a set of refundable tax credits in Wisconsin, including credits for film productions. The process of repealing these credits began in 2013. The repeal was approved in the 2013-15 state budget.
- Legalize CS gel, an alternative to pepper spray.
- Add 12 additional circuit court branches across the state over the next three years.
- Allow notaries to verify signatures remotely through an online system.
Listen to the WPR report here.
Wisconsin Assembly Set To Vote On New Hemp Regulations was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
