Lotta Hemp Progress on the Prairie

Despite the deep and rich agricultural tradition, the Prairie States have seen some of the greatest resistance to hemp legalization. (Don’t remind us about South Dakota Governor Noem. Ugh.) But we’ve seen some pronounced prairie progress in the last few weeks – and in a few cases, we need YOUR help to get hemp over the top.

KANSAS

This week, Kansas’ Governor signed Senate Substitute to House Bill 2167, which expands the state’s hemp growth program from research to commercialization and ensures that hemp and hemp products are not considered controlled substances. There were no explicit provisions about hemp CBD, but it adopts the 2018 Farm Bill’s definition of hemp (including “extracts”, “cannabinoids” and “derivatives”), meaning extra protection for CBD. Stay tuned – we may need your further assistance.

IOWA

One of the few states never to adopt a hemp law, things grew worse in March when the Story County Attorney announced a crackdown on CBD products. Senate File 279 was introduced, but it mostly focused on hemp growth. However, the Roundtable hired local lobbying help, and Senate File 599 was introduced that provides protections from Model State Act to hemp-derived CBD products. Initial language of concern that explicitly required retail products to comply with the Food Drug & Cosmetic Act was modified to only require a vaguer compliance with federal law. Senate File 599 has passed the Senate and awaits House action. We need your help getting this bill onto the Governor’s desk. If you hail from Iowa, please use our handy online State Action Center to contact your state legislators to vote for final passage of Senate File 599. If you are not from Iowa, please share this email and our portal with your friends and social media contacts in the Hawkeye State.

NEBRASKA

The uniquely unicameral Nebraska legislature (only a Senate, no House) is considering two bills to legalize hemp and promote the sale of hemp products. LB 457 removes hemp and products like hemp-derived CBD from drug control; while LB 657 sets up the regulatory framework that allows for individuals to apply for growing and processing licenses. LB 657 left the agriculture committee without opposition and was given priority status. On April 15, it had its first of three rounds of voting and passed 37-4. In the second round, LB 457 is expected to be amended into it. Four Senators have been trying to stall the bill with frivolous amendments, so we need your help getting this bill onto the Governor’s desk. If you hail from Nebraska, please use our handy online State Action Center to contact your state legislators to vote for final passage of LB 457 and LB 657. If you are not from Nebraska, please share this email and our portal with your friends and social media contacts in the Cornhusker State.