Florida Lawmakers Approve Hemp Industry

May 5, 2019

The Florida Legislature has passed a bill establishing a state hemp program within in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The vote comes after the 2018 federal Farm Bill removed prohibitions on industrial hemp in place since 1937 and authorized states to create hemp programs.

“Today’s historic vote is eighty years in the making – Florida is now on the verge of establishing a state hemp program and creating a multi-billion dollar industry. Our farmers have asked for alternative crops. Floridians want access to safe, tested cannabis and CBD. With this bill, our Department can make those goals a reality and transform our economy,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.

The bill require licenses for businesses or people that wish to grow hemp and requires detail information about where it will be grown. Under federal law, it is unlawful to possess any raw or unprocessed hemp, hemp plants, or hemp seed without a license.

The measure passed the Senate 39-0 and the house 112-1.

Alabama recently passed similar legislation and has already issued licenses, including seven in Escambia County, AL. For details, click here.

Comments

One Response to “Florida Lawmakers Approve Hemp Industry”

  1. Glen Scharer on May 27th, 2019 2:57 pm

    Is there a positive chance that licensing will be available for growing industrial hemp in Florida within the next 12 months. Also is there any educational info for protocol on how the State will approve a license.

    How would a land owner know if his soil would be beneficial to grow Industrial Hemp.

    Thank You,

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