New Hemp Bills in ID, IN, KY, and SD

As state legislatures enter the second month of their sessions, critical bills that impact hemp and hemp products like CBD continue to merit your attention. This week, we focus on Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, and South Dakota: (Check out last week’s report here.)

Idaho: Will Idaho finally become the 50^th and final state to legalize hemp production? With your help it will! H0126 would legalize hemp production in Idaho (starting in 2022). The new bill would also remove hemp and THCs in hemp from the definitions of marijuana and THC, which Idaho’s laws do not currently do. This effort passed the Idaho State Senate last year but failed by one vote in the State House. There are some issues with the bill—like requiring hemp transporters to consent to an inspection if stopped by police in transit. But even with these drawbacks, the bill is an important step toward making hemp production legal under all 50 states’ laws. Idaho Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to urge state legislators to support H0126.

Indiana: HB 1224 would make clear that a food is not considered adulterated due to containing hemp extracts. It would also reduce the backlog at the state crime lab and empower law enforcement to distinguish craft hemp flower from marijuana. Importantly, the legislation would encourage restaurants, breweries and other small businesses to partner with Indiana farmers to bring innovative products to the marketplace. The bill has earned the support of the Midwest Hemp Council. Indiana Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to urge state legislators to support HB 1224.

Kentucky: HB 325 would create reasonable labeling requirements for ingestible and cosmetic CBD products and would require manufacturers to be licensed as either a food or cosmetic manufacturer. HB 388 is also worth supporting. It would exclude hemp-derived consumable products from Kentucky’s definition of marijuana. Kentucky Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to urge state legislators to support HB 325 and 388.

South Dakota: HB 1228 removes some excessive regulatory language from South Dakota’s hemp law to better accommodate hemp growers and processors. South Dakota currently requires anyone transporting hemp within or through the state to have a separate hemp transportation permit. This bill would allow transporters to simply rely on the hemp grower’s or processor’s license. South Dakota Hemp Supporters are encouraged to use our State Action Center to urge state legislators to support HB 1228.