A bill has been introduced in the Maryland House of Delegates that would establish a four-year pilot program to study the growth and market potential of industrial hemp.
If approved, House Bill 1250, sponsored by Del. Ronald Guns (D-District 36) and Del. Dan Morhaim (D-District 11) would take effect on July 1, 2000. The legislation requires that the state’s secretary of agriculture administer the pilot program in consultation with state and federal agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, which would have to approve any cultivation plots as it has done in Hawaii. According to the legislation, only state property may be used to cultivate industrial hemp during the duration of the study.
“We are seeing an increasing number of states considering industrial hemp study legislation this year, which will hopefully lead to a greater understanding among legislators of hemp’s utility,” said Scott Colvin, NORML Publications Director.
For more information, please contact Scott Colvin, NORML Publications Director at (202) 483-5500. HB 1250 can be viewed at http://mlis.state.md.us/200rs/billfile/hb1250.htm.
