$HEMP Reports: Alaska’s Industrial Hemp Bill Passes Senate & Industry Update

The legalization of industrial hemp has a strong possibility of passing this time around after disinterest from Senate Bill 8, introduced in 2015, died in committee. Today, Alaskans are aware of the need to diversify their state’s economy, thus Senate Bill 6, which was introduced at the beginning of this year, has a better chance of passing. Bruce Perlowin, CEO of Hemp, Inc. ( OTC PINK : HEMP ), said, “It’s time for hemp to make its rightful return to the American landscape. Alaska is another step closer to being the next state. Hemp, Inc. is also pleased to be a part of it through our Alaska Hemp Ambassador.”

Hemp, Inc.’s Alaska Hemp Ambassador, Jack Bennett, was invited to speak at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Department of Economics and Department of Petroleum Engineering on behalf of Hemp, Inc.’s ( OTC PINK : HEMP ) wholly owned subsidiary Industrial Hemp Manufacturing, LLC. On day one, of his two-day speaking engagement, Bennett spoke to students of the Department of Economics on how industrial hemp can be a solution to the state’s current fiscal crisis. Bennett also presented industrial hemp and CBD marketing data; discussed the agricultural laws being well received by both senate and house; and, hemp as part of the world-wide green building industry.

On day two, Bennett spoke to students of the Department of Petroleum Engineering, on Industrial Hemp Manufacturing, LLC’s Drillwall™ technology. The segment, Hemp Could Be Alaska’s New Cash Crop, aired yesterday on KTVF Channel 11. “The students were very excited about total plant-based non-toxic mud additives used in the oil well drilling industry. This is an emerging technology for them,” said Bennett.

Per Senate Bill 6, which was amended, the new section states that legislature shall reevaluate the regulation of industrial hemp in seven years. Also, “the commissioner of natural resources shall direct, administer, and supervise promotional and experimental work, extension services, and agricultural projects for the purpose of promoting and developing the agricultural industry within the state; procure and preserve all information pertaining to the development of the agricultural industry and disseminate that information to the public; assist prospective settlers and others desiring to engage in the agricultural industry in the state with information concerning areas suitable for agriculture and other activities and programs essential to the development of the agricultural industry in the state; and, review the marketing, financing, and development of agricultural products inside the state including transportation, with special emphasis on [UPON] local production, and negotiate for the marketing of agricultural products of the state with federal and state agencies operating in the state.” To read the full text, click here.

In other industrial hemp news, Missouri House Bill 170 also passed the state house with a 126 – 26 vote in favor of legalizing industrial hemp, yesterday, and has been passed to the state senate for the senate’s first read. HB 170 would allow those licensed by the Department of Agriculture to grow, harvest, and cultivate industrial hemp. According to a recent article, “supporters call the bill a development opportunity that could be a boon for farmers and help cultivate new business.” Under the proposal, people who want to grow hemp must apply with the Department of Agriculture and submit to a background check. Crops would also be subject to inspection.

Kansas House Bill 2182, which authorizes the growth of Kansas agribusiness through development of an industrial hemp industry and enacting the Kansas agricultural industry growth act, passed the Kansas House of Representatives and is now working its way through the senate. Kansans, like residents of other states, see industrial hemp “as a way of bolstering the state’s economy, giving farmers more crop options, and bringing in new industry.” According to Arnett’s article in the McPherson Sentinel, Les Mason, who represents much of McPherson County in the Kansas State House of Representatives said, “A complete feasibility study would ensue, and the department would oversee and inspect growers and their crops. The long term goal of the project would be to provide an economic stimulus to rural communities with crop productions and hopefully manufacturing with processing plants being built and jobs created.”