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Senate hearing sees strong support for Wisconsin hemp bill

Wisconsin might be the next state to again allow production of industrial hemp.

The committee heard testimony on legislation that, if passed, would permit Wisconsin farmers to again grow the crop.  Legacy Hemp President Ken Anderson tells Brownfield hemp production is rapidly expanding in other states.  “2014 was the first year for production in Kentucky, a very small acreage.  This year, we do seed production in Kentucky, Minnesota, and North Dakota, and it’s growing exponentially.”

Anderson told Senators the farmers growing industrial hemp are profiting.  “Our farmers that do seed production for us are netting over 900 dollars an acre, which is phenomenal.”

And he says passing this bill would give farmers the opportunity for additional revenue.  “The people that are producing right now, you know, we’re not looking for money from the government or anything.  That would be nice, but we’re not looking for it.  We just really need them to get out of our way.”

Ag organizations including Wisconsin’s Farm Bureau and Farmers Union testified in favor of the bill.

 

No one opposed it, but some suggested removing the criminal background check requirement in the licensing process, the provision to seize and destroy crops testing higher than 0.3% THC to allow on farm livestock use, and the provision requiring tribes to get a license to grow hemp.

Senator Patrick Testin authored the bill, and told Brownfield after the Senate hearing, “There were some good points that were brought up, and so we’re going to meet with Representative Kramer’s office and my office as well as (Legislative) counsel to work on some changes to help clarify any questions or issues that popped up today, and hopefully get that ready before an executive session is scheduled.”  Some of the testimony suggested making a more clear definition of industrial hemp and treating hemp as a crop and not as a drug, since hemp has different qualities than marijuana and also ruins marijuana’s properties when the two are cross-pollinated.