Kings Co. votes 5-0 to support hemp farming

WRITTEN BY BUSINESS JOURNAL STAFF   
Source: thebusinessjournal.com

The Kings County Board of Supervisors has indicated its support for a bill that would allow area farmers to legally grow industrial hemp.

The board voted 5-0 to sign a letter of support for Senate Bill 676: The California Industrial Hemp Farming Act, during today’s meeting. The county’s Agricultural Advisory Committee had approved the letter earlier.

The bill was introduced by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and would allow industrial hemp to be grown by Kings, Kern, Imperial, San Joaquin and Yolo counties for the next eight years. Farmers who grew the crop would be allowed to sell hemp seed, oil and fiber to manufacturers. 

Hemp is often used to make paper, biodegradable plastics, textiles and various health foods. Unlike it’s relative, the marijuana plant, hemp contains less than 1% THC, the psychoactive component that gives marijuana its kick.

So far SB 676 has passed through several Senate committees as well as the Senate floor, where it passed 22-14. It is expected to be taken up by the Assembly Appropriations committee on August 17.