Study of Hemp’s ag potential moves ahead in Senate

By Debi Brazzale
Source: lajuntatribunedemocrat.com

La Junta, Colo. —

Lawmakers Friday continued to move forward with a proposal to study the usefulness of planting fields of hemp to absorb toxins in contaminated soil.

House Bill 1099, sponsored by Reps. Wes McKinley, D-Walsh, and Jerry Sonnenberg, D-Sterling; and Sens. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, and Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, would create a pilot program, funded by gifts, grants and donations, to research the crop’s potential.

The measure, approved by the Senate Finance Committee, passed with the added support of eastern plains Republican Sen. Greg Brophy, of Wray, a farmer who sided with majority Democrats on the panel.
Brophy said he is intrigued by the crop’s potential.

“Hemp is a great product, and it’s a good idea to study its potential in soil remediation,” said Brophy. “It’s worth finding out if it works—and it just might.”

Yet, Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Parker, said he questions the need for the state to do the study and that he has reservations about the plant itself.

“I’m hesitant about doing this without knowing why the state needs to look into this rather than private groups,” said Scheffel. “I’m uncomfortable with the marijuana side of this. It’s hard to differentiate between the plants and there’s potential for abuse.”

McKinley, when the bill was first introduced in February, touted the win-win aspect of looking at the plant’s potential.

“It would be nice to clean up  these contaminated areas,” said McKinley. “Hemp can be a very beneficial crop providing food, fuel and fiber.”