Joseph Spector

Albany Bureau Chief

ALBANY -- New York’s efforts to develop an industrial hemp industry are getting help from a new state law.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo late Friday signed a bill that will let industrial hemp to be sold and transported under an existing pilot program in the state.

The measure comes after the 2014 law that allowed for research of industrial hemp by colleges and farmers -- a move that aims to help farmers develop a new marketable crop.

"Industrial hemp will benefit not only local agriculture, but has the potential for numerous manufacturing opportunities in the Southern Tier and throughout the state," said Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, D-Endwell, Broome County, who sponsored the bill.

Regulations for the pilot program were finalized earlier this year, and one farm has received licensing: JD Farms in Eaton, Madison County, which is working with Morrisville State College to develop the crop.

The farm is growing the first legal hemp in 80 years, Lupardo said, on 30 acres.

With the new law, the hemp can be sold to manufacturers as part of a similar federal pilot program approved in 2013, supporters said.

“We're moving forward to ensure that the development and growth of the industrial hemp industry will provide valuable new economic opportunities," said Sen. Thomas O'Mara, R-Big Flats, Chemung County, who sponsored the bill.

Hemp, a variety of cannabis, can be used for commercial products, such as paper, clothing and food.

Dan Dolgin, co-owner of JD Farms, said the new law will allow his farm to better determine the viability of industrial hemp in the marketplace.

"This bill makes it possible for us to negotiate price-points with interested buyers and produce statistically relevant data about the current state of the market for other farmers and institutions interested in participating in the program," he said in a statement.