Industrial hemp; removes all restrictions on production, including licensing and regulations. (HB2028)

Introduced By

Del. Nick Freitas (R-Culpeper) with support from co-patron Del. Brenda Pogge (R-Williamsburg)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Industrial hemp production; authorization. Removes all restrictions on the production of industrial hemp, including licensing and regulations. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/10/2017Committee
01/10/2017Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17103851D
01/10/2017Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
01/16/2017Assigned ACNR sub: Agriculture
01/26/2017Impact statement from DPB (HB2028)
01/30/2017Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (5-Y 2-N)
01/30/2017Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations
02/01/2017Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with amendments (21-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/01/2017Referred to Committee on Appropriations
02/01/2017Assigned App. sub: Commerce, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Technology
02/08/2017Left in Appropriations

Comments

Susann Eastridge writes:

The outlawing of industrial hemp for growth on farms and gardens is ignorant and useless.
George Washington, among many of our other founding fathers, extolled its virtues and insisted that it would be a boon to our nation, and it was a staple grown in gardens and farms across the colonies.
We now have to import it. Being able to grow it domestically would enhance our industrial base. Many new jobs would be created once the law allows for its production.

Eva King writes:

I strongly support this bill! Industrial hemp has huge potential as a driver for economic growth in Virginia. Outlawing it has cost us dearly over the decades.

Right Way Forward Virginia writes:

Industrial hemp has thousands of economic applications including rope, textiles, oil, and even building materials. HB2028 would enable Virginia's hemp economy to blossom by removing unnecessary red tape to grow the economically useful and environmentally friendly plant. We support this bill.