Indiana’s House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee has given unanimous approval to Senate Bill 357, a proposal to legalize hemp. The measure has already been approved by t he state’s full Senate.

“This is a plant that has been used for centuries throughout the world and has tremendous potential,” says Senator Richard Young, the bill’s primary sponsor.

The proposal would legalize hemp cultivation for those who become licensed with the state. The proposal is contingent on federal approval, but given that the federal government just legalized hemp research in states that have done the same, Indiana, at the very least, would be authorized to begin cultivating hemp for research purposes should Senate Bill 357 be approved into law.

The proposal now heads towards a full House vote, where its passage would send it to the governor’s desk for consideration.

– TheJointBlog