Last Wednesday the Maine House of Representatives passed LD 525, titled “ An Act To Promote In dustrial Hemp” . The measure amends current state law forbidding farmers from cultivating hemp until federal law permits it, and sets guidelines for how individuals can apply for a license to grow. The measure also removes the current requirement for those applying for licenses to submit their fingerprints to the FBI. The final vote tallied at 24-10.

The summary of the measure reads as follows:

This bill removes the requirements that an applicant for an initial license to grow industrial hemp for commercial purposes must submit a set of the applicant’s fingerprints and file with the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry documentation indicating that the seeds planted were a type and variety of hemp approved by the commissioner and also repeals the provision that licensure is contingent upon action by the Federal Government.

The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Lance Harvell , has moved on to the Senate, where it has been placed on the Special Appropriations Table.

Click here to contact your Senators and urge them to support this measure.

– TheJointBlog