State legislators look to help hemp industry with Growing Opportunities Act

Alex Fischer by Alex Fischer

The Growing Opportunities Act was recently introduced by two Democrats and two Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature: Senators Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) and Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) and Representatives Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) and Dave Considine (D-Baraboo).

Hemp farmers are currently working under a temporary pilot program. One of the bill’s authors, Representative Tony Kurtz, said it will create a full fledged hemp program that keeps farms under state and not federal regulations.

Kurtz said he hopes the bill will help make Wisconsin a leader in hemp farming.

“I’m growing organic hemp, and I’ll be using that for the grain. There’s a big demand for the organic grain and the food products. I actually have a jar in my car that’s made in Manitoba. I don’t want to see ‘Made in Manitoba’; I want to see ‘Made in Wisconsin’,” said Kurtz.

Kurtz is one of more than 1,400 hemp growers in the state. He said the crop is another tool to help farmers who may be struggling.

“The dairy industry, it’s been hurting for four years, and I would love to see some of those dairy farmers diversify into this; I would,” said Kurtz.

The bill would also create rules to make labeling for hemp products more accurate.

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