For the first time in its history, the Hawaii State Legislature has passed a resolution to conduct a study on the economic potential of growing industrial hemp as an agricultural product.
House Resolution 71 and House Concurrent Resolution 63 describe the study as a fact-finding and information-gathering forum that would examine the following aspects of industrial hemp: 1) the commodity value, 2) economic potential and other benefits, 3) comparison of the economic potential with that of similar crops, 4) interest of Hawaii landowners, businesses, and other parties in growing industrial hemp, 5) federal procedures for obtaining a permit to grow hemp, and 6) the barriers that prohibit the growing of hemp.
“Thousands of acres of former sugar plantation land still await the arrival of a viable alternative crop,” stated Rep. David Tarnas (D-6th District), a chief backer of the measure. “Industrial hemp should be allowed to prove itself as a successful commodity here in Hawaii — as it is doing in other places around the world.”
The joint Senate Committees on Agriculture, Labor, and Employment and Ways and Means stated in their committee report that “given the State’s current economic crisis, the viability of alternative cash crops should be explored to the fullest extent possible.”
The Hawaii Agribusiness Development Corporation will be initiating the research project at the University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture.
Earlier this year, Rep. Tarnas introduced legislation to amend the state law to authorize the production, possession, and commerce of non-psychoactive industrial hemp in Hawaii. However, the House Agriculture Committee voted to postpone deciding on that bill until next year.
For more information, please contact Rep. David Tarnas at (808) 586-8510.