The Alaska State House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill which would legalize the growth and sale of hemp.
Last year, Senate Bill 6’s sponsor, Sen. Shelley Hughes, said her bill would change how the law defines hemp — as a separate agricultural product from marijuana, removing it from the state’s list of controlled substances.
On Monday, Senate Bill 6 passed by a vote of 36-0. The bill was also passed unanimously by the Senate in April 2017.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with today’s vote, and I thank the House of Representatives for their strong support. As an agricultural crop, hemp has significant economic potential for Alaska as its uses are widespread and varied,” Sen. Hughes said.
“It is also quite appropriate that this bill passed on Presidents’ Day. Many of our founding fathers, including Presidents’ George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, grew hemp.”
According to the Alaska State Legislation website, SB 6 is:
“An Act relating to the regulation and production of industrial hemp; relating to industrial hemp pilot programs; providing that industrial hemp is not included in the definition of ‘marijuana’; providing that cannabidiol oil is not included in the definition of ‘hashish oil’; clarifying that adding industrial hemp to food does not create an adulterated food product; and providing for an effective date.”
Hughes said the bill was requested by Alaska farmers, who want to use hemp for “nutritious animal feed”.
The bill requires a Senate concurrence vote, which is anticipated to pass unanimously as it did last legislative session. The date is to be determined.
