A measure that would legalize hemp throughout the U.S. has been passed through the committee process and sent directly to the Senate floor.

The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 was filed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell [R-KY]. It would legalize hemp across the United States by removing it from the federal list of controlled substances. Using a procedural move known as Rule 14, the legislative proposal has been fast-tracked past the committee process and sent directly to the Senate floor.

“By legalizing hemp and empowering states to conduct their own oversight plans, we can give the hemp industry the tools necessary to create jobs and new opportunities for farmers and manufacturers around the county,” says McConnel.

The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 is cosponsored by Senators Ron Wyden (D), Rand Paul (R) and Jeff Merkley (D).