Legislation approved overwhelmingly by the House and Senate redefines marijuana containing no more than 0.3 percent THC as an “agricultural crop,” and permits state-licensed farmers to cultivate it. Passage of the measure, which the Senate approved 45-5 in February and the House approved 82-17 Wednesday, establishes a licensing procedure for farmers wishing to grow hemp as a commercial crop. Montana’s legislature joins only North Dakota in its support of licensing and regulating hemp cultivation.
An amendment to the bill mandates Montana’s Department of Agriculture to request the federal government amend its federal laws prohibiting hemp cultivation. The amendment also requests federal officials issue a “waiver that will allow this act to be effective without federal preemption.”
For more information, please contact either Allen St. Pierre, NORML Foundation Executive Director, at (202) 483-8751 or John Masterson of Montana NORML at (406) 542-8696.
