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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20
INTRODUCED BY STORY, CAMPBELL, J. PETERSON, SALES, WILLIAMS, BERGREN
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA URGING THE MONTANA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO INTRODUCE AND PROMOTE FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO ELIMINATE THE FEDERAL PROHIBITION ON DOMESTIC HEMP PRODUCTION.
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA URGING THE MONTANA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO INTRODUCE AND PROMOTE FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO ELIMINATE THE FEDERAL PROHIBITION ON DOMESTIC HEMP PRODUCTION.
WHEREAS, the federal government should not set policies that make it difficult for farmers to sustain their livelihoods; and
WHEREAS, hemp fiber, hemp pulp or hurd, and hempseed oil are raw materials that are used for a wide range of value-added agricultural and industrial products, including food, feed, body care products, oil, plastics, building materials, automobile interior panels, biocomposites, paper, clothing, textiles, and energy; and
WHEREAS, the retail hemp market is currently estimated at $300 million annually; and
WHEREAS, hemp is a hardy plant that is well-suited to Montana's climate and that thrives without pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers if grown in a proper crop rotation; and
WHEREAS, Canadian farmers are reporting net profits from hemp of $200 to $600 an acre with yield expectations from 300 to 600 pounds per acre; and
WHEREAS, processing industrial hemp will benefit rural communities by creating new markets for farmers as well as sustainable processing and manufacturing jobs in Montana; and
WHEREAS, the 2001 Legislature overwhelmingly passed and Governor Judy Martz signed Senate Bill No. 261, subsequently codified as Title 80, chapter 18, part 1, MCA, which authorizes the production and processing of industrial hemp with a THC content of 0.3% or less as an agricultural and industrial crop and which provides for the licensing and regulation of industrial hemp as a crop; and
WHEREAS, despite longstanding authorization for the production and processing of industrial hemp in this state, Montana farmers are unable to participate in or benefit from the retail hemp market because of federal prohibitions on domestic hemp production.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the Montana Congressional Delegation be urged to introduce and promote federal legislation to eliminate the federal prohibition on domestic hemp production in order to allow full implementation of Montana law regarding the production and sale of industrial hemp.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send copies of this resolution to the members of the Montana Congressional Delegation.
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