In 2009, Maine became one of 8 states in the U.S. to legalize hemp. However, this law indicates that farmers can’t receive a state-issued license to grow the plant until federal law has changed.

A new measure being discussed in Maine’s Legislature, which has a public hearing in the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on March 28th, would remove this requirement, allowing farmers in the state to begin growing hemp by the end of the year, regardless of federal law. Lawmakers in Vermont have recently filed similar legislation.

This measure would put it in the hands of the federal government to enforce archaic hemp policies. The feds themselves are currently discussing bipartisan legislation to end hemp prohibition.

Congressional research shows America’s hemp market to be worth over $400 million, which we import from other countries.

– TheJointBlog